Edmonton (0-3) at British Columbia (2-1)
When: Thursday, June 27th 2024
Where: BC Place Stadium,
Vancouver, B.C.
Time: 10:00 ET | TV: CFL+
Opening Odds: British Columbia -8/52.5
The series between the Edmonton Elks and British Columbia Lions has been one-sided for the last three seasons and the two will meet for the first time in 2024 on Thursday night at BC Place Stadium. The Lions have not only won each of the past seven meetings, but they have covered the spread in everyone of them as well. The four wins against the Elks in 2023 were: 22-0, 27-0, 37-29 and 26-9. Edmonton actually hasn’t won a game since the middle of last September and are 0-3 this season.
The Lions have won two in a row after an opening week loss at Toronto. The most recent was a 26-24 win at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last week. B.C. is now +375 to win the Grey Cup on the CFL futures board, tied with Winnipeg for the second-shortest odds behind Montreal (+350). For Edmonton, they are tied for the longest odds with Hamilton at +2000. The Lions will enter Thursday’s contest as a 7.5-point favorite and a total pegged at 53.
EDMONTON ELKS
The Elks have been competitive the last two weeks despite coming out on the losing end. It was a back-and-forth game with Toronto that the Argos won on a walk-off field goal. McLeod Bethel-Thompson completed 28-of-38 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns, tying a career-high. Through three weeks, he is second in the league total passing yards (978), tied for third in passing touchdowns (six) and he is seventh in passing efficiency (102.4).
Edmonton’s defense still needs improving, especially against the run. Toronto ran for 186 yards last week and they are giving up a second-worst 109 rushing yards per game this season. The Elks will head into their Bye after Thursday’s game and then play a home-and-home against the Ottawa Redblacks.
BRITISH COLUMBIA LIONS
Winnipeg eliminated the Lions in last year’s West Division Final, and B.C. revenged that loss last week on the road. Vernon Adams Jr. completed 21-of-33 passes for 398 yards and two TDs. Adams currently leads the CFL in passing yards (1,038) while throwing six touchdowns and just one interception. He is dealing with an abdominal injury but is listed as probable for Thursday’s tilt with Edmonton.
Alexander Hollins had 215 receiving yards and two TDs last week and leads the league with 402 receiving yards, while William Stanback leads in rushing yards (187). The offense has been humming, leading the CFL in yards per game and passing yards per contest. The defense has been stingy against the pass, ranking third at 280 yards allowed per game.
Prediction:
I know the Elks haven’t won a game in over nine months, but they are playing better this year and have covered each of their last two. The offense came alive last week and if they can get a few stops, Edmonton can at least keep this one respectable.
