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CFL East Division Odds: Expert Predictions and Analysis


by Chris Vasile - 6/8/2018

Drew Willy of the Montreal Alouettes

The CFL's East Division has been a bit of a crapshoot over the last handful of seasons. The Toronto Argos have bookend Eastern Division crowns in 2012 and 2017, while Hamilton won back-to-back crowns in 2013-14 and Ottawa did the same in 2015-16. This season, the East Division figures to be much weaker than the West, so it's really anyone's guess as to who will come out on top. The Argos are still the team to beat, in my opinion, but apparently not the bookmakers. Each of the four teams that comprise the East Division have glaring weaknesses that need to be addressed immediately before the season gets away from them. For the Ti-Cats it's the defense, for the Argos it's the run game, for the RedBlacks it's the new systems on both sides of the ball, and for the Als it's all the question marks surrounding the QB spot. Let me break it down further for you.

All odds are courtesy of Sports Interaction .

The Favorite

Hamilton Tiger Cats +175- Season Win Total: 9

The Hamilton Tiger Cats are in a bit of a precarious situation heading into this 2018 season. They signed Jeremiah Masoli to be their starting QB only to go out and sign Johnny Manziel to potentially replace him. Whoever starts at QB, they will be in tough bring respectability back to the Steel City. The Ti-Cats do have a very talented receiving corps that could exploit teams if the game plan is right, but it should take Manziel a full season to adapt to the Canadian game if in fact he does take over the starting role (it's going to happen). On the defensive side of the ball, the defense ranked either 7th or 8th out of 9 in yards, passing yards and points per game allowed last year and did not do anything to get better. Yes, the players are one year older and more experienced, but returning everyone who contributed to that poor defense might be a curse instead of a blessing. There is absolutely no value in taking the Ti-Cats at such a low number.

The Contenders

Ottawa RedBlacks +225 - Season Win Total: 8

The RedBlacks stunned the CFL world two seasons ago by capturing the Grey Cup and then followed that up with an 8-win season last year. The RedBlacks will be behind the eight ball this season right out of the gates for two reasons. The first being they have a lot of new personnel to break in and get familiar with, and the second being the schedule. They also play Calgary twice in the first five weeks and have to deal with the Riders and Als. That has an 1-3 start written all over it. Not sure if they can overturn a slow start to the year and catch the best team in the division.

Toronto Argonauts +225 - Season Win Total: 9

The Toronto Argonauts come into the 2018 season on the heels of an improbable Grey Cup victory last season over Calgary. The "double blue" return their starting QB, Ricky Ray, and he will benefit from having his receiving corps fully intact this season. The only significant problem to speak of is the potential lack of run-game, with all new RBs in the mix to learn and produce in the Marc Trestman scheme. The defense should be just as good as they were last year when they were top-3 in total yards per game, pass yards per game and rushing yards per game. The East Division is relatively weak once again this year, so I don't see any reasons why they can't defend their Eastern Division title.

The Rest

Montreal Alouettes - Season Win Total: 5

The best chance the Alouettes have to avoid finishing in the basement of the Eastern Division is riding their defense for 20 games. The Als have a new DC in Rich Stubler and will be heavily reliant on that side of the football to keep them in ball games. The Als essentially have a QB controversy between two pivots who leave much to be desired. Veteran Drew Willy and inexperienced QB Matt Shiltz are going to have to perform miracles in order for the All to essentially double their win total from last year. The East may be weak, but every single team in the league is better than the Als right now.

Doc's Sports expert handicappers will have Canadian Football League picks every week of the 2018 season. Our experts that will offer picks are: Doc's Sports, Indian Cowboy , Raphael Esparza , Vernon Croy, Scott Spreitzer , Alan Harris, and Strike Point Sports . CFL is one of the easiest sports to beat as the sportsbooks just don't spend much time setting the lines. But our experts do take the time needed to beat the books on a weekly basis. Get $60 worth of premium members picks free .

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