2024 CFL Week 1 Preview: Grey Cup Rematch Highlights Slate

The 2024 Canadian Football League season is upon us with a pretty decent opening-week slate. The big game is the Grey Cup rematch between Montreal and Winnipeg on Thursday. There are a few other decent matchups, including British Columbia and Toronto, which close out the week.

The 2024 CFL Week 1 preview will look at all four games on the schedule and try to come up with a few decent wagers.

Alouettes vs Blue Bombers

Location: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, MB
Day/Time: Thursday, June 6, 8:30 pm ET
Streaming: CBS Sports Network

The game of the week kicks off the 2024 season. It’s a rematch of last year’s Grey Cup, which was won by Montreal. The Alouettes won 28-24 as 7.5-point underdogs. This is a huge revenge game for the Blue Bombers.

A win may make Winnipeg feel a little better, but Montreal still won when it mattered most. The spread here has the Blue Bombers favored by 6 with a total of 48.

Montreal was a solid team against the point spread last season, going 13-7-1 including the postseason. That was the second-best winning percentage in the CFL. Winnipeg was 12-8 against the spread (ATS), but was the top over team in the league, going 15-5. We have to believe that Zach Collaros and the Blue Bombers take care of business in this one and will lay the points with Winnipeg.

Tiger-Cats vs Stampeders

Location: McMahon Stadium, Calgary, AB
Day/Time: Friday, June 7, 9:00 pm ET
Streaming: CFL+

The 2024 CFL Week 1 preview takes a big drop in class for the lone Friday game, as Hamilton visits Calgary. Both teams advanced to the playoffs last year despite being well down in the CFL standings. The Tiger-Cats were 8-10 and the Stampeders were 6-12. The Tiger-Cats are favored by 2.5 points. The total is 47.

Both teams had a -3.6 point differential last season counting the postseason, but Hamilton was a better team on the road last season. The point spread is pretty close to where you would expect, so it’s one of the tougher games to wager on. If you have to play it, the home underdog is probably going to be the right side.

Roughriders vs Elks

Location: Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB
Day/Time: Saturday, June 8, 4:00 pm ET
Streaming: CBS Sports Network

Last season’s CFL scores didn’t go the way Saskatchewan or Edmonton wanted, as the teams were a combined 10-26. The Roughriders were 6-12, while the Elks were just 4-14. Edmonton was the second-worst team in the league against the spread, with just Ottawa finishing with a worse record. The Elks were 7-11 ATS, while Saskatchewan was 8-10. The Elks are favored by 3.5 with a total of 46.

These were two of the worst defensive teams in the CFL last year, so the total might be a point or two on the low side. Neither squad is an offensive powerhouse, but you don’t need to be when facing a poor defense. The Roughriders were 14-4 in totals last season, while the Elks went 10-8. The 2024 CFL Week 1 preview will take the over 46 for the lone totals play of the week.

Lions vs Argonauts

Location: BMO Field, Toronto, ON
Day/Time: Sunday, June 9, 7:00 pm ET
Streaming: CBS Sports Network

The week ends with the second-best game on the CFL schedule, as Vernon Adams and British Columbia visit Toronto. The Argonauts had the best regular season record in the CFL a year ago, but find themselves 6-point underdogs at home. The total is 47. British Columbia lost in the West final to Winnipeg. Adams had his worst game of the year against Toronto last season.

He threw for 388 yards and three TD’s but was picked off six times in a 45-24 loss. With Adams, you take the bad with the good and the bad is he’ll throw a few too many picks. He also led the league in passing yards and was second in TD passes.

Toronto has been dealing with some off-the-field issues, which led to the suspension of last year’s starting quarterback Chad Kelly. Cameron Dukes looks like he’ll be the starting quarterback and he’s looked good in limited action. How that translates to his role as a starter remains to be seen. It looks as though the loss of Kelly has been over-compensated, so will side with Toronto +6 in this one.

For CFL betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

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• CFL Season: Argonauts 2024 Grey Cup Front-Runners!
• 2023 Grey Cup Odds: Lopsided Lines Indicate Blowout or a Big Upset
• 2023 CFL Division Finals Odds Preview: A Prelude to a Grey Cup Rematch?
• 2023 CFL Semifinals Odds Preview: Have We Just Seen These Matchups?