Love the Lions (D'oh). The late touchdown by Mallett last week helped push the score to what it should have been... a 15 point victory. Point is that Saskatchewan had no business being in that game. Buck had a good control game (76% completion), and BC is starting to figure out that the key to victory is a good running game mixed in with some short passes. Conversely, Toronto (a team I really thought would be better this year) looks horrendous. Like most teams in the East, they have no QB depth... and I have little faith in Cody Pickett, who looks more like a backup free safety than a QB.
Running the ball is Toronto's best option for success. Robertson has been a very reliable rusher all year, and BC's run defence has been burned in the past. However, things are a bit different this week. Toronto's much hyped OL has been a disappointment. Furthermore, with JoJuan Armour at MLB, the Lions look to have a much improved run defence. They were also able to get a big push against Durant last week, which bodes well for this week against a less mobile QB in Pickett.
Speaking of Pickett, I don't know what he's going to do? There is a reason Toronto got killed last week, and it wasn't the defence. Montreal realized that Toronto has zero weapons on offence, and it's just the run they needed to worry about. I do not see things getting any better with Pickett behind centre. I mean, when your top WR is your 3rd string QB, things can't be good. BC's DBs are much more likely to pick one off than Montreal's, and I fully expect a few picks (much like last week). I really have no idea how Toronto expects to move the ball in the air. Hopefully BC realizes this.
Toronto's defence actually matches up really well against BC's attack. On the run, Mallett has been a great surprise this year, but Toronto has been equally impressive, boasting a great run defence. They also look good against BC's pass game, which although showing signs of life last week, is still not in top form. Toronto has the depth in the secondary to contain Pierce. Nevertheless, I think BC's defence can give their offence enough chances to succeed, and I don't see how two teams going in opposite directions will swerve off their paths.
BC Lions -2.5
GL
Running the ball is Toronto's best option for success. Robertson has been a very reliable rusher all year, and BC's run defence has been burned in the past. However, things are a bit different this week. Toronto's much hyped OL has been a disappointment. Furthermore, with JoJuan Armour at MLB, the Lions look to have a much improved run defence. They were also able to get a big push against Durant last week, which bodes well for this week against a less mobile QB in Pickett.
Speaking of Pickett, I don't know what he's going to do? There is a reason Toronto got killed last week, and it wasn't the defence. Montreal realized that Toronto has zero weapons on offence, and it's just the run they needed to worry about. I do not see things getting any better with Pickett behind centre. I mean, when your top WR is your 3rd string QB, things can't be good. BC's DBs are much more likely to pick one off than Montreal's, and I fully expect a few picks (much like last week). I really have no idea how Toronto expects to move the ball in the air. Hopefully BC realizes this.
Toronto's defence actually matches up really well against BC's attack. On the run, Mallett has been a great surprise this year, but Toronto has been equally impressive, boasting a great run defence. They also look good against BC's pass game, which although showing signs of life last week, is still not in top form. Toronto has the depth in the secondary to contain Pierce. Nevertheless, I think BC's defence can give their offence enough chances to succeed, and I don't see how two teams going in opposite directions will swerve off their paths.
BC Lions -2.5
GL
