Edmonton (0-2) at Toronto (1-0)
When: Saturday, June 22nd 2024
Where: BMO Field,
Toronto, Ontario
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: CBSN
Opening Odds: Toronto -6/49.5
The 0-2 record might not show it, but the Edmonton Elks already looked improved from a disastrous 2023 campaign. Edmonton will look to get their first win of the season when they visit the well-rested Toronto Argonauts on Saturday night at BMO Field. The Elks opened the season with two one-score home losses including a 23-20 setback versus the Montreal Alouettes last weekend. Meanwhile, the Argos are coming off a bye after a 35-27 comeback win over the visiting B.C. Lions in Week 1. That win extended Toronto’s home winning streak to 10 games.
The Argonauts also ride a three-game winning streak in their series with the Elks including both meetings in 2023, averaging 39 points a contest and winning by an average margin of 17.5 points. However, Edmonton has won six of the last 11 meetings when playing in Toronto, including two as outright underdogs. The Over is an even 5-5 over the last 10 meetings and this weekend’s contest has a total of 49.5 with Toronto favored by 4.5.
EDMONTON ELKS
The Elks outplayed the Alouettes last week in a number of teams stats, but turnovers and bad penalties proved costly in the three-point loss. Quarterback McLeod Bethel Thompson struggled, completing 28-of-42 passes for 300 yards but failed to find the end zone while tossing two interceptions. The Elks need to get the ground game going, as they totaled just 72 yards last week and rank second-to-last in the league in that category.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argonauts received an impressive debut by Cameron Dukes as the team’s starting quarterback in their Week 1 win over B.C. An early fumble that resulted in a returned touchdown, put Toronto down 20-6 early. However, Dukes bounced back and ended with three touchdown passes and a rushing score. Rasheed Bailey was Dukes’ favorite target in Week 1, catching five passes for one touchdown and 50 yards. Bailey racked up 508 receiving yards in Winnipeg last season and has now made a scoring catch in three straight regular season games.
Prediction:
Edmonton might be improved, but they still aren’t over the hump yet. The lack of a running game is going to hurt them. Toronto’s rushing attack is tops in the league after two weeks and Dukes looks like the real deal. The Argos averaged 39 points in their two wins over Edmonton last year and I expect more of the same this weekend.
