At the onset of the 2019 Canadian Football League season, the Calgary Stampeders were the consensus favorite. Calgary has become the marquee team of CFL Betting with three consecutive appearances in the Grey Cup championship game. In fact, the Stamps have played in five Grey Cup title matchups since 2012. Calgary is defending champion and was leading the West Division as the season closed in on the halfway mark. However, the Stampeders status as the name brand champion has begun to erode their wagering value. Other quality teams such as Hamilton have offered superior value.
2019 Grey Cup Championship Odds
Fashion that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are an 11/4 CFL Betting favorite to win the Grey Cup. Calgary is at 3/1 followed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 9/2. Next, are the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Edmonton Eskimos at 5/1. Montreal has been a surprise team with the Alouettes now at 12/1. At 15/1 are the Ottawa Red Blacks. Long shots at 300/1 are the British Columbia Lions and the Toronto Argonauts.
Calgary Stampeders
At the beginning of the season, the Stampeders lost five of their first seven online betting matchups vs. the line. Calgary won five of those first seven games straight up. Of great concern to the Stamps championship aspirations is an offense that ranked seventh in the CFL. In particular, the ground game offered little support ranking last in the league. Star quarterback Bo Levin Mitchell (87 RTG, 3 TD, 2 INT) has been battling injuries which hurt his production. Nick Arbuckle has filled in effectively (104.3 RTG, 72.9% COMP, 1473 YDS, 6 TD, 3 INT).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
By contrast, the Blue Bombers have shown superior CFL Betting value with five payouts in seven games. Winnipeg has won five of their seven games straight up. CFL metrics have the Blue Bombers ranked second for rushing yards and points scored. In the same way, the Winnipeg defense ranks second for points allowed. Quarterback Matt Nichols (69.4% COMP, 1580 YDS, 14 TD, 4 INT, 106.5 RTG) has ignited the attack. RB Andrew Harris (646 YDS, 6.8 YPC, 2 TD) has kept defenses honest. Also, Harris is the Blue Bombers leading receiver (37 REC, 278 YDS, 2 TD).
Edmonton Eskimos
On the whole, the Eskimos could be a sleeper team in the CFL. Edmonton started off 4-3 straight up and 3-4 vs. the odds. To begin with, the Eskimos ranked number one in the league for both total offense and defense. Quarterback Trevor Harris (71% COMP, 2304 YDS, 10 TD, 2 INT, 104.5 RTG) triggers the CFL’s top-ranked passing offense. RB CJ Gable (475 YDS, 5.0 YPC) adds balance to the offense. Further support comes from WR Ricky Collins Jr. (35 REC, 615 YDS, 17.6 AVG, 2 TD). To be exact Edmonton is good enough to worry any opponent.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
In turn, the Tiger-Cats were leading the East Division with a record of 5-2 straight up. Hamilton paid out in five of their first seven games. Summing up the Cats were the highest-scoring team in the CFL and ranked third for points against. QB Jeremiah Masoli (71.4% COMP, 1576 YUDS, 9 TD, 7 INT, 99.6 RTG). WR Brandon Banks (42 REC, 554 YDS, 13.2 AVG, 3 TD) is Masoli’s favorite target. Certainly, Hamilton is the class of the East.