The Edmonton Elks play their second game of Week 16 on Friday night as they head to Vancouver to take on the BC Lions.
The Lions will rest All-Star quarterback Michael Reilly in favor of rookie Nathan Rourke but CFL betting odds still have them installed as 4.5-point home favorites against what must be an exhausted Edmonton squad.
Here are our best free Elks vs. Lions picks and predictions for Friday, November 19, with kickoff at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Elks vs Lions odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
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Elks vs Lions picks
Picks made on 11/18/2021 at 11:20 a.m. ET.
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
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Elks vs Lions game info
• Location: BC Place, Vancouver, BC
• Date: Friday, November 19, 2021
• Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: TSN
Elks at Lions betting preview
Weather
Key injuries
Elks: Greg Ellingson WR (Questionable), Mike Moore DL (Out), SirVincent Rogers OT (Out), Colin Kelly OT (Out), Jonathan Mincy DB (Out).
Lions: Michael Reilly QB (Questionable), J.R. Tavai DE (Questionable), T.J. Lee DB (Questionable), Joel Figueroa OL (Questionable), Bo Lokombo LB (Questionable), DeVier Posey WR (Questionable), Lemar Durant WR (Out), Ryker Mathews OT (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 15-7-1 in the Elks' last 23 road games. Find more CFL betting trends for Elks vs. Lions.
Elks vs Lions predictions
Lions -4.5 (-110)
The Elks won just their third game of the year on Tuesday but there's no rest for the weary as they travel to Vancouver on just two days of rest. It's been a long season for Edmonton which didn't win a single game at home and was riding an eight-game losing streak until they beat the Argos 13-7.
The Argos had already wrapped up home-field advantage in the East Finals and rolled with a bunch of second-stringers in that game. It was an ugly performance from both sides with Elks QB Taylor Cornelius completing just 46.9 percent of his passes for 160 yards and three interceptions. While the Argos offense did nothing either that had more to do with the brutal play of their backups than anything impressive from Edmonton's defense.
The Lions are on a seven-game losing streak themselves and are coming off a 33-23 defeat to the Stampeders last Friday. The Lions have also struggled in front of their home fans, going just 1-5 SU and ATS at BC Place with that lone victory coming against the woeful Redblacks.
Rourke has been named as the starter for the season finale with Reilly being given a much-needed rest after playing through an elbow injury for most of the year. Rourke is a rare national quarterback and starred for the Ohio Bobcats in the MAC. The 23-year-old has completed 29 of 48 passes for 395 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions while adding another 77 yards and two scores on the ground.
Both of these teams have been complete disappointments this season but it would be unfair to say that they have nothing to play for in this game. Guys will be playing for their jobs and will be motivated to end their season on a high note.
While there is reason to fade both sides in this one we simply can't back a 3-9 football team on just two days of rest. This is a fail for the CFL schedule-makers but should be a cover for the Lions.
Under 48 (-110)
Cornelius might sit out this game with Edmonton coach Jaime Elizondo perhaps opting to play the recently acquired Nick Arbuckle. But don't expect many offensive fireworks regardless of who is under center for the Elks. We saw just how sluggish and sloppy this Elks offense can be on Tuesday and with such short rest, we could see lots of rotating players at the skill positions.
The 23-year-old Rourke has promise but the youngster is a clear downgrade from Reilly as a passer. And he'll be facing off against an Elks pass defense that has actually been solid this season, allowing the second-fewest yards per game (223.8) through the air.
With the Under going 15-7-1 in Edmonton's last 23 games on the road and the Under also cashing in 13 of the Lions' previous 18 contests as a favorite, take the Under 48 on Friday.
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