Hamilton (0-3) at Ottawa (1-1)
When: Sunday, June 30th 2024
Where: TD Place Stadium,
Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: CBSN
Opening Odds: Ottawa -3.5/51.5
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have been searching for a victory since the beginning of last October and they’ll get another chance this Sunday night when they visit the Ottawa Redblacks. This matchup features the two worst scoring defenses in the league, but Hamilton can move the ball on offense. The Redblacks are coming off a 47-21 setback at the Montreal Alouettes last weekend after they opened the season with an upset win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Ti-Cats are winless on the season after a 26-20 loss in Saskatchewan last weekend.
The series between these two East rivals has been one-sided for a few years now. Hamilton has won each of the last 10 meetings with Ottawa’s last win coming in November of 2018. The Redblacks have managed to cover the spread in just two of those 10 games, but last year’s games were low scoring and close. The Redlbacks lost twice at home to Hamilton in 2023 by a combined seven points. The Under is on a 7-3 run and the total for this Sunday’s game is pegged at 51.5.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
Hamilton never had a chance last week against the Roughriders, falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter and then scoring 13 of their 20 points during fourth-quarter garbage time. The Ti-Cats need to get off to better starts, as they have just three total first-quarter points this season. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell has struggled after missing most of last season due to an injury. He completed 29-of-45 passes for 295 yards and a pair of touchdowns last week, but he also threw three interceptions including a pick-six late in the third quarter.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Ottawa is not coming off a Bye, but 10 days is a nice layoff after getting pounded 47-21 by the Alouettes. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is still recovering from the Achilles injury that ended his 2023 season and backup Dru Brown has not been the answer. Brown ranks dead last in the CFL with a 60.3 percent completion percentage after going 21-of-35 against Montreal. The ground game recorded just 56 rushing yards and two fumbles. However, Ryquell Armstead has 121 yards on 22 carries through two games.
Prediction:
These are a couple of bad football teams, but I’ll side with the Redblacks on Sunday. It’s more of a play against Hamilton, who has been horrible since the end of last season. The Ti-Cats have surrendered 22 points or more in eight straight games – all losses – and have covered the spread just once in that span.
