Winnipeg looks for its first win Friday as they take on the Edmonton Eskimos in CFL betting action
The home team has eight of the last nine games in this series but Edmonton’s offense ranks last in the league and the Blue Bombers are desperate to crack the win column
WEEK 2 CFL
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS AT EDMONTON ESKIMOS
Pinnacle Sports CFL Odds: Eskimos -1.5, Over/Under 45
The Blue and Gold have had a rough start to the 2012 CFL season, losing back-to-back road games against the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes straight-up and against the spread (SU/ATS). The Bombers have an 8-4 ATS record the past three seasons off two-straight losses and sports betting sites offer Winnipeg as a small underdog in Week 3 against and Edmonton squad who have already lost a couple of key components from an already struggling offense.
Fifth-year Eskimos slotback Adarius Bowman (knee) has been placed on the 9-game injury list after suffering a fourth quarter injury in the 17-1 loss to Saskatchewan Sunday and although the team has rescinded original statements suggesting Bowman’s season was over, the immediate impact will be felt. Edmonton offense has not registered a single passing TD in four games including pre- and regular season.
WR Greg Carr’s (ankle) was upgraded to probable but whether it’s Dobson Collins, Matt Carter or non-import receiver Shamawd Chambers filling Bowman’s shoes remains to be seen. The Eskimos offense ranks last by a wide margin in points per game (10.0), completion percentage (55-percent), passing (151) and total yards (216.5).
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Winnipeg’s once proud and dominating defense will be coming out with something to prove this week after being called out publicly by DC Tim Burke for “playing with no intensity.” The Bombers were outscored 31-13 in the fourth quarter against the Lions and Alouettes.
The Bombers offense appeared to gain a little momentum with 30 points against Montreal and QB Buck Pierce threw for 255 yards (18/26) after being forced from the Lions game with a leg injury. The return of OT January helped and with another full week of practice, look for the Bombers passing game to make further strides.
CFL PICKS
The Bombers are facing a familiar foe in QB Steven Jyles, whom Bomber GM Joe Mack deemed expendable a year ago. Jyles has struggled since arriving in Edmonton and was pulled twice last week. With fewer weapons at his disposal things shouldn’t get any easier for Jyles this week and while the Bombers historically don’t fare well on Eskimo turf, this edition of the Green and Gold are ripe for the picking.
Pick: Take the Bombers
CFL Picks, last week: 0-2
Season record: 2-2
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