The Toronto Argonauts face off against the BC Lions in the final game of Week 3 in the CFL on Saturday night. Both teams have already had their first bye weeks of the season and should be well-rested for this clash.
Both teams are 1-0 entering this matchup, having both won their respective first regular season game.
Here are our best free Argonauts vs. Lions picks and predictions for Saturday, June 25.
Argonauts vs Lions odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Lions opened as 3.5-point home faves and that number has since grown to -5.5 with the Over/Under at 49.5. Early money has come in on the home side, with BC now sitting at -5.5 while the total has ticked up to 50.0.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until kickoff and be sure to check out the full CFL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Argonauts vs Lions Week 3 predictions
Predictions made on 6/24/2022 at 4 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
Argonauts vs Lions game info
• Location: BC Place, Vancouver, BC
• Date: Saturday, June 25, 2022
• Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Argonauts at Lions betting preview
Weather
Key injuries
Argonauts: Andrew Harris RB (Questionable), DaVaris Daniels WR (Questionable), Shane Ray DE (Doubtful), Jamal Peters DB (Questionable), Isiah Cage OL (Doubtful), Declan Cross FB (Doubtful), Dejon Brissett WR (Questionable), Robertson Daniel DB (Out), Juwan Brescanin WR (Out), Eli Rogers WR (Out), Peter Nicastro C (Out).
Lions: Nathan Cherry DL (Questionable), Woody Baron DT (Out), Steven Richardson DT (Out), David Knevel G (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Argonauts vs Lions picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Argos had their season opener against Montreal last Thursday and escaped with a 20-19 victory, thanks to a missed field goal attempt from the Als. It wasn't the most impressive offensive display for Toronto, but offseason additions Andrew Harris and Brandon Banks proved they can still make an impact despite being in their mid-30s.
Harris rushed for 87 yards while adding another 23 yards on the ground and although he is listed as questionable for Week 3, we expect him to suit up. Keep in mind that he was often listed on the Bombers' injury report last season but would play on game day and as a 35-year-old running back, limiting him in practice is probably a good precaution.
The Lions are coming off a bye week after stomping the Elks 59-15 in Week 1. They dominated every aspect of that contest with their offense rolling up 469 yards and controlling the clock for more than 34 minutes, while the defense picked off four passes, racked up four sacks, and kept Edmonton to just 316 yards.
First-year starting quarterback Nathan Rourke was incredible in Week 1, completing 89.7% of his passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns while adding another 78 yards and two scores on the ground. That said, Rourke is just 24 years old, and moving the ball against the Argos won't be as easy as it was against the Elks.
It's funny how much one game can change perceptions. Entering the season, the Argos were listed at +600 to win the Grey Cup and had a win total O/U of 10.5. The Lions were tied with Edmonton for the worst Grey Cup odds in the league at +1,600 and had a win total of 6.5. After beating the tar out of clearly the worst team in the CFL, do the Lions really deserve to be 5.5-point faves for this matchup?
The home-field advantage is certainly a factor in that line with the Argos making the trip to the West Coast for a late-night matchup. However, it still seems like a bit of an over-reaction towards one week of action from both of these sides. Give me the dogs and the points.
Prediction: Argonauts +5.5 (-105 at BetRegal)
Over/Under analysis
This is the highest total of the week at 50.0, but despite the Lions' offensive explosion in Week 1, I'm leaning towards the Under here.
The Elks' defense was beyond pathetic when they tangled with the Lions. Not only is Edmonton lacking in talent on that side of that ball, but the Elks were extremely banged up in that meeting with five projected starters sidelined. Additionally, four interceptions by Edmonton QB Nick Arbuckle gave Rourke and the Lions' offense some short fields to work with.
The Argos' defense will be much tougher thanks to a defensive line that can bring the heat with Shawn Oakman and Ja'Gared Davis. Although Toronto QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson needs to be more consistent, he generally does a good job at holding on to the football.
Much of the Lions' offensive damage against Edmonton was done in the middle of the field with Rourke carving up the Elks with short and mid-range strikes. If BC opts to keep things close once again, that offensive gameplan along with a solid Argonaut stop-unit should result in this game going below the total.
Prediction: Under 50 (-110 at Sports Interaction)
Best bet
We're sticking with the same narrative of our side and total bets with our best bet of the game. The Lions' offense seemed to go from underrated to overrated in a heartbeat after that Week 1 performance, but expecting them to go off for 30 points in most games is highly optimistic.
Keep in mind that even with four-time CFL passing yards leader Michael Reilly at QB last year, they scored more than 27 points in just four of 14 contests.
Rourke looks like the real deal but we're not sold on the BC offensive line or running game, and both of those areas will be tested by a stout Argos front seven.
The Argos have limited opponents to fewer than 28 points in 12 of their last 16 games dating back to the start of last season. The Lions team total simply looks too high here.
Pick: Lions team total Under 28.5 (-120 at bet365)
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