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CFL semifinal playoff picks and predictions: Back Blue Bombers and Argos to reach Grey Cup

I have a pick for both CFL division finals this weekend.

The pregame narrative: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were the hottest team coming into the playoffs and I expect them to earn a spot in the Grey Cup. The Toronto Argonauts’ offence has been exceptional and I like their value as the underdog against the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Final.

Check out my CFL playoff picks and predictions for the semifinal playoff games on Nov. 9.

CFL playoff picks

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Best Bet: Blue Bombers -4 (-110)

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Winnipeg started the season 2-6 before going on an incredible 9-1 run to close things out. The loss came at the hands of the streaking Argonauts who I’ll touch on later.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders had a roller-coaster season, going on two separate four-game winning streaks but finishing with a pedestrian 9-8-1 record.

Playing at home has been beneficial for the Bombers as they went 5-1 over their last six home games. They also went 4-1-1 against this spread in that span.

One of those contests was against the Riders and Winnipeg handled business, winning by five.

Additionally, Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros knows how to win in the playoffs as his team looks for its fifth straight Grey Cup appearance.

Key stat: Winnipeg had a league-best +81 point differential this season.

Quick pick

Argonauts moneyline (+110): Toronto put on a show last week, beating the Ottawa Redblacks, 58-38. Chad Kelly completed 90% of his throws (18-for-20) including four touchdown passes and no turnovers.

After starting his season late, Kelly has found his form when it matters most. He contributed nine total TDs over the past three weeks without throwing an interception.

Since Week 17, the Argos have won against the Alouettes and Blue Bombers and look like last season’s offensive powerhouse.

Toronto is 4-1 over that time with the one loss coming in the last regular season game with most starters resting.

Montreal started the season 10-1 but has only won two of the seven games since.

In this same semifinal matchup a season ago, Toronto lost as a sizeable favourite. But with the odds flipped this time around, I believe the Argos will get their revenge in Montreal.

Picks made at 2:14 p.m. ET on 11/06/24.

NHL best bets Nov 6: Bet on the Golden Knights to beat the Oilers, offence in Predators vs. Capitals

One moneyline pick and an over/under wager make up my NHL best bets for November 6.

The pregame narrative: The Vegas Golden Knights are riding high into their meeting with the Edmonton Oilers and I’m backing them to win. Earlier on, I like the value on the over in the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals game.

Find my NHL best bets for Nov. 6 below.

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Best Bet: Golden Knights to win in regulation (+187)

Connor McDavid remains sidelined and the Golden Knights are red-hot.

Vegas is 5-1 over its last six games and the offence is clicking. It has a +14 goal differential in that span.

The Golden Knights rank second in goals per game (4.5) and have a tremendous 32.3% powerplay conversion rate which is good enough for third in the NHL.

That could be trouble for the Oilers who own the league’s worst penalty kill (60%).

Stuart Skinner is the confirmed starter for Edmonton and he’s yet to shake off the early-season rust. He’s allowed three or more goals in five of seven starts this season and carries a .881 SV% into this contest.

Key stat: The Oilers are 22-27-10 without McDavid since he was drafted.

Quick pick

Predators/Capitals over 6 goals (-112): The Capitals continue to light up scoreboards in Alexander Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.

They average the third most goals per game (4.2) all while holding the league’s worst powerplay percentage (10.8%) which is a real testament to how good they’ve been at even strength.

That is great news for the over as Washington has a 4-1-1 record against this line in its past six games.

Part of that is also the defence, as the Caps allow the ninth most goals per game (3.0). Goalie Logan Thompson has a 5-0-0 record this season despite having a below-average 2.97 GAA and .893 SV%.

That again shows how much support the offence has provided.

Nashville has struggled out of the gates to find chemistry and is allowing 3.42 goals per game.

Washington is dealing with an injury to Jakob Chychrun which is a massive loss on the blue line. With that being said, I believe the Predators can also add a few goals to contribute to the total.

NHL picks made at 10:39 a.m. ET 11/06/2024.

NHL best bets Nov 6: Bet on the Golden Knights to beat the Oilers, offence in Predators vs. Capitals

One moneyline pick and an over/under wager make up my NHL best bets for November 6.

The pregame narrative: The Vegas Golden Knights are riding high into their meeting with the Edmonton Oilers and I’m backing them to win. Earlier on, I like the value on the over in the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals game.

Find my NHL best bets for Nov. 6 below.

NHL best bets

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Best Bet: Golden Knights moneyline (-103)

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Connor McDavid remains sidelined and the Golden Knights are red-hot.

Vegas is 5-1 over its last six games and the offence is clicking. It has a +14 goal differential in that span.

The Golden Knights rank second in goals per game (4.5) and have a tremendous 32.3% powerplay conversion rate which is good enough for third in the NHL.

That could be trouble for the Oilers who own the league’s worst penalty kill (60%).

Stuart Skinner is the confirmed starter for Edmonton and he’s yet to shake off the early-season rust. He’s allowed three or more goals in five of seven starts this season and carries a .881 SV% into this contest.

Key stat: The Oilers are 22-27-10 without McDavid since he was drafted.

Quick pick

Predators/Capitals over 6 goals (-103): The Capitals continue to light up scoreboards in Alexander Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record.

They average the third most goals per game (4.2) all while holding the league’s worst powerplay percentage (10.8%) which is a real testament to how good they’ve been at even strength.

That is great news for the over as Washington has a 4-1-1 record against this line in its past six games.

Part of that is also the defence, as the Caps allow the ninth most goals per game (3.0). Goalie Logan Thompson has a 5-0-0 record this season despite having a below-average 2.97 GAA and .893 SV%.

That again shows how much support the offence has provided.

Nashville has struggled out of the gates to find chemistry and is allowing 3.42 goals per game.

Washington is dealing with an injury to Jakob Chychrun which is a massive loss on the blue line. With that being said, I believe the Predators can also add a few goals to contribute to the total.

NHL picks made at 10:39 a.m. ET 11/06/2024.

76ers vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions Nov. 6: Bet on George to bounce back, Zubac to be active on glass in +370 ticket

Three player props make up my same-game parlay for the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Los Angeles Clippers game.

The pregame narrative: This is Paul George’s second game back from injury and I expect an uptick in production. I’m adding prop picks on big men Ivica Zubac and Andre Drummond to round out a +370 ticket.

Check out my 76ers vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions for Nov. 6.

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Parlay: George over 26.5 points/rebounds + Zubac over 11.5 rebounds + Drummond over 0.5 blocks (+370)

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George over 26.5 points/rebounds (-124): In his first game back, George scored 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field and 1-for-7 from three.

It’s important to note that George is still on the injury report but is probable to play, per Rotowire. If he suits up, I expect a similar workload as last game (32 minutes).

Last season, the all-star was close to the 50/40/90 club as he shot 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from 3-point range and 90.7% at the charity stripe.

If George shoots anywhere near his usual standard, he could clear this line with points alone. It’s also nice to know that he’s averaged 6.3 rebounds per game in his career.

The 76ers are in dire need of another scorer and George is one of the best shot creators in the NBA.

SGP legs

Zubac over 11.5 rebounds (-141): Zubac has been a beast on the glass this season.

The big man is averaging 13.0 rebounds per game and has cleared this line in six straight games.

On top of that, the 76ers have been prone to giving up a lot of rebounds to similar centres. Jusuf Nurkic had 15 his last time out and Zach Edey recorded his first double-digit rebound game against Philly.

Even strong rebounder Jalen Duren had six boards in 10 minutes before getting ejected in his matchup with the 76ers.

This all suggests Zubac is in for another huge night in the paint.

Drummond over 0.5 steals (-225): For his size, Drummond isn’t much of a shot-blocker anymore but he is always active in the steals department.

The veteran big has at least a steal in five of his six games this season and is averaging 1.8 per game.

Los Angeles gives up the second-most steals to centres per game (2.42). Five of the seven centres to start against the Clippers this season have recorded one or more steals.

Picks made at 10:24 a.m. on 11/06/24.

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Best Champions League prop bets Matchday 4: Erling Haaland and Jonathan David have value to score

Erling Haaland and Jonathan David are the targets of my Matchday 4 prop bets for Champions League action.

Pregame narrative: I’m taking Haaland to add to his impressive goal total. I also see value in backing the red-hot David to score for Lille against Juventus.

Check out the best Champions League prop bets for Matchday 4.

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Best bet: Haaland to score (-154)

Haaland has been the world’s best pure goalscorer for a few years now, and he just keeps getting better.

The 24-year-old Norwegian has 14 goals in 13 games across all competitions this season. He continues to make scoring in soccer look easy.

In his last UCL match, Haaland scored a brace against Sparta Prague and faces similar competition on Tuesday. Sporting CP are no walk in the park but the side is far from a European giant.

Manchester City ranks first in shots (17.7), goals (3.0) and completed passes (670.3) per game and the offence usually finishes on the boot of Haaland.

The one game he was held off the score sheet was against Inter Milan, who are among the favourites to win the tournament.

Sporting is just not up to the same level as Inter. I can picture Haaland doing what he does best and bagging a goal.

Key stat: Haaland has 44 goals in 43 career Champions League appearances.

Quick pick

David to score (+185): This is definitely the riskier play, but the Canadian is a goal-producing machine for his club.

David has 10 goals in 13 games across all competitions this season for Lille.

Juventus is a top club but if anyone is a threat to score against them, it’s David. He has five shots on target across his last two UCL matches, resulting in three goals.

The target man has scored in seven of his last nine games overall and I like his value even against Juventus.

Picks made at 3:14 p.m. on 11/04/2024.

Best Champions League prop bets Matchday 4: Erling Haaland and Jonathan David have value to score

Erling Haaland and Jonathan David are the targets of my Matchday 4 prop bets for Champions League action.

Pregame narrative: Any time I can get Haaland to score at plus money, I’ll take it without thinking twice. I also see value in backing the red-hot David to score for Lille against Juventus.

Check out the best Champions League prop bets for Matchday 4.

Champions League prop bets

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Best bet: Haaland to score (+108)

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Haaland has been the world’s best pure goalscorer for a few years now, and he just keeps getting better.

The 24-year-old Norwegian has 14 goals in 13 games across all competitions this season. He continues to make scoring in soccer look easy.

In his last UCL match, Haaland scored a brace against Sparta Prague and faces similar competition on Tuesday. Sporting CP are no walk in the park but the side is far from a European giant.

Manchester City ranks first in shots (17.7), goals (3.0) and completed passes (670.3) per game and the offence usually finishes on the boot of Haaland.

The one game he was held off the score sheet was against Inter Milan, who are among the favourites to win the tournament.

Sporting is just not up to the same level as Inter. I can picture Haaland doing what he does best and bagging a goal.

Key stat: Haaland has 44 goals in 43 career Champions League appearances.

Quick pick

David to score (+205): This is definitely the riskier play, but the Canadian is a goal-producing machine for his club.

David has 10 goals in 13 games across all competitions this season for Lille.

Juventus is a top club but if anyone is a threat to score against them, it’s David. He has five shots on target across his last two UCL matches, resulting in three goals.

The target man has scored in seven of his last nine games overall and I like his value even against Juventus.

Picks made at 2:14 p.m. on 11/04/2024.

Spurs vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions Nov. 4: Expect Wembanyama to connect from deep in +300 ticket

The Los Angeles Clippers host the San Antonio Spurs in a Western Conference showdown.

The pregame narrative: The Spurs have been getting better as the season progresses and I think they can keep this game close against the struggling Clippers. I’m adding in prop picks for Victor Wembanyama and James Harden to make up a +300 parlay for tonight’s game.

Check out my Spurs vs. Clippers same-game parlay predictions for Nov. 4.

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Parlay: Spurs +6.5 + Wembanyama over 1.5 threes + Harden over 5.5 rebounds (+300)

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Spurs +6.5 (-165): The Clippers are ice-cold right now, losing three straight home games. They are still awaiting their first win in the new arena as this cold spell has led to an overall home record of 0-4.

L.A. is 1-5 against this spread and the Spurs are starting to figure things out.

San Antonio has won back-to-back games, with the most recent win coming against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Spurs have covered this spread in four of six games, and the two exceptions were against the contending Dallas Mavericks (4-2) and Oklahoma City Thunder (6-0).

Buying a few extra points for the underdogs is a good way to fade the Clippers right now.

SGP legs

Wembanyama over 1.5 threes (-150): This isn’t a line Wembanyama has had much success against but the volume has been there.

The 7-foot-4 phenom has no business firing up so many threes but he’s a special talent and I don’t see him dialling it back anytime soon.

Wembanyama is just 9-for-41 (22.0%) from 3-point range this season but that means he’s averaging 6.8 attempts per game.

Last year, he was more efficient, hitting threes at a 32.5% clip, so I’m willing to chalk up his early struggles to a poor shooting streak. He’s attempted 20 threes over his past two games and the Clippers allow the most 3-pointers per game to centres (2.82).

Harden over 5.5 rebounds (-175): With the size of San Antonio’s backcourt, it’s no surprise that the Spurs allow a high number of rebounds to opposing point guards.

In fact, they allow the second most per game (8.47).

At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Harden is on the bigger side among guards. That allows him to help out on the glass frequently. He’s averaging 8.8 rebounds this season and has cleared this line in five of six games.

Picks made at 12:09 p.m. on 11/04/24.

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Best NHL prop picks Nov 4: Bet on Josi, Meier and Ekholm on Monday

There are only two games on the NHL schedule tonight, but I found three prop picks worth a look.

The pregame narrative: Roman Josi is one of the better offensive defencemen in the league and I like the over on his shots prop tonight. Later on, I’m backing Mattias Ekholm and Timo Meier to each record a point when the New Jersey Devils visit the Edmonton Oilers.

Find my NHL prop picks for Nov. 4 below.

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Best Bet: Roman Josi over 3.5 shots (+110)

As a team, the Nashville Predators love to get shots off. They rank second in the NHL with 34.1 shots per game, and Josi is one of the leaders.

The Predators’ captain has 49 shots this season, which is second on the team behind Filip Forsberg (51).

Josi also unsurprisingly leads the team in time on ice (25:57) by a wide margin. It’s not shocking that playing almost half the game on a nightly basis has led to tons of shot opportunities.

And he’s not afraid to let it rip. Josi a cleared this line regularly this year, and I’m looking to take advantage of the plus-money price.

Key stat: Josi has cleared this line in eight of 11 games this season.

Quick picks

Ekholm to score 1+ points (+100): Here’s a prop for another defenceman who’s on the ice a lot.

Ekholm ranks second on the team in average time on ice (23:10) behind Evan Bouchard (24:17), but the latter is -180 to record a point despite having two fewer points this season.

At 34, Ekholm is still effective on offence, recording two goals and seven assists in 12 games. With Connor McDavid sidelined for now, other top Oilers players will need to step up and create more chances in the attacking zone.

Ekholm has a point in seven of 12 games this season.

Meier to score 1+ points (-120): Since the start 2021-2022 season, Meier has 206 points in 238 games. He’s gone under the radar as part of a stacked Devils’ forward core but is still a consistent point producer.

The winger has 12 points in 14 games and has only been held off the score sheet five times.

Edmonton has turned things around, winning back-to-back games, but its penalty kill (61.8%) is still the worst in the league.

Meier skates on the first line and second power play unit, where he averages 2:41 of ice time per game.

Picks made at 11:54 a.m. on 11/04/2024.

Best NHL prop picks Nov 4: Bet on Josi, Meier and Ekholm on Monday

There are only two games on the NHL schedule tonight, but I found three prop picks worth a look.

The pregame narrative: Roman Josi is one of the better offensive defencemen in the league and I like the over on his shots prop tonight. Later on, I’m backing Mattias Ekholm and Timo Meier to each record a point when the New Jersey Devils visit the Edmonton Oilers.

Find my NHL prop picks for Nov. 4 below.

NHL prop picks

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Best Bet: Roman Josi over 3.5 shots (+110)

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As a team, the Nashville Predators love to get shots off. They rank second in the NHL with 34.1 shots per game, and Josi is one of the leaders.

The Predators’ captain has 49 shots this season, which is second on the team behind Filip Forsberg (51).

Josi also unsurprisingly leads the team in time on ice (25:57) by a wide margin. It’s not shocking that playing almost half the game on a nightly basis has led to tons of shot opportunities.

And he’s not afraid to let it rip. Josi a cleared this line regularly this year, and I’m looking to take advantage of the plus-money price.

Key stat: Josi has cleared this line in eight of 11 games this season.

Quick picks

Ekholm to score 1+ points (+104): Here’s a prop for another defenceman who’s on the ice a lot.

Ekholm ranks second on the team in average time on ice (23:10) behind Evan Bouchard (24:17), but the latter is -180 to record a point despite having two fewer points this season.

At 34, Ekholm is still effective on offence, recording two goals and seven assists in 12 games. With Connor McDavid sidelined for now, other top Oilers players will need to step up and create more chances in the attacking zone.

Ekholm has a point in seven of 12 games this season.

Meier to score 1+ points (-121): Since the start 2021-2022 season, Meier has 206 points in 238 games. He’s gone under the radar as part of a stacked Devils’ forward core but is still a consistent point producer.

The winger has 12 points in 14 games and has only been held off the score sheet five times.

Edmonton has turned things around, winning back-to-back games, but its penalty kill (61.8%) is still the worst in the league.

Meier skates on the first line and second power play unit, where he averages 2:41 of ice time per game.

Picks made at 10:21 on 11/04/2024.

Buccaneers vs. Chiefs Week 9 MNF best bets and odds: Expect Mahomes to exploit Tampa Bay’s defence

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.

The pregame narrative: I’m expecting a lot of offence in this game so I’m taking the over as my best bet. I also like prop picks on starting quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Baker Mayfield.

Check out my Buccaneers vs. Chiefs best bets for Monday Night Football on Nov. 4.

Buccaneers vs. Chiefs best bets

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Best Bet: Over 45.5 points (-110)

Even though both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are sidelined with injuries, the gameplan stays the same in Tampa: Let Baker sling it.

Last week, in his first game without his star receivers, Mayfield and the Buccaneers put up 432 yards of offence which led to 26 points. I do expect less without Evans and Godwin, of course, but the Bucs still look like one of the more dangerous offensive teams.

Tampa Bay records the fifth most yards (404.6) and fourth most points (29.4) per game.

Kansas City’s defence has been amazing but I see that as a reason for this lower total which I am willing to buy low on.

The Buccaneers’ defence has been terrible so I can also picture Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offence carrying a lot of the load.

Key stat: Tampa Bay allows the second most yards (405.5) and fifth most points (26.4) per game. Five straight Bucs games have gone over this mark with an average of 64.4 total points.

Quick picks

Mahomes over 249.5 passing yards (-120): Mahomes has been disappointing to an extent this season with an 8:9 TD-to-INT ratio but if there’s any team to shine against, it’s the Buccaneers.

The Chiefs QB has topped this line in two of his last three games and gets an advantageous matchup in Week 9.

I expect Tampa Bay to keep pace so Mahomes should be willing to pass for a majority of the game.

The Bucs’ defence allows the third most passing yards (255.4) per game with three of the last four starting QBs blowing past this mark.

Spencer Rattler was the lone signal-caller to fall short but barely as he had 243 passing yards in his NFL debut for the Saints in Week 6.

Mayfield over 236.5 passing yards (-118): This is a very achievable line for Mayfield even with the injuries and the Chiefs’ elite defence.

The former first-overall pick topped 325 passing yards in four of his last five games and is averaging 273.6 per game on the season.

Tampa Bay ranks first in third-down conversion rate (52.5%) allowing the offence to stay on the field and consistently put up big numbers.

Picks made at 2:48 p.m. ET 11/03/2024.