Great info, thanks Spottie.
I see it much the same. I think the correct line on this was the opener -13. When it zoomed up, value shifted to the Alouettes.
Manziel has passed concussion protocol and has practiced sparingly with the team this week but by all accounts Pipkin will start which is my preference at this point. I've said it all year that I don't think Manziel's heart is in this CFL escapade and even moreso since he ended up with the worst dumpster fire of a team in the league. This team seems to rally around Pipkin and their level of play elevates with him. I feel this team is in the same position Hamilton was in last year in that they finally see a faint glimmer of hope and it has lifted their spirits. Not that I'm very high on Pipkin overall, I think he caught some lucky breaks last week. The big throw he made that TSN keeps replaying over and over was really more of a great play by a receiver after a poor decision to throw late across the middle into double coverage.
I don't know about Montreal's RB situation though and that is a big question mark. I will know more by late tonight or early tomorrow. Sutton is a question mark and Stanback is out after getting dinged last week. If neither of them can go, the job falls to Ryder Stone who is a different sort of back.
One piece they do potentially get back this week is Stef Logan which is a big deal for them. Their avg starting field position dropped off by about 15 yards or so since hes been out. Also, Gabe Knapton is back and should help solidify the DL rotation with Vantrel McMillan still out.
As you pointed out, Ottawa doesn't often win games big and these two teams seem to play closer than you would expect. Their previous games this season were settled by 10 (line:-8) and 7 (line:-14) points although the latter was mainly because of Ottawa's fumblefingers in the redzone. I think the ALs are in a better place now than they were in either of those two meetings and we are getting more points than we ever have.
One final point about Ottawa...they still seem to play better on the road than at home. This is not a trend I would expect to last forever but under the current regime is has been pretty consistent. 5-9 ATS at home and 11-3 ATS on the road since last year.
So in short, I don't necessarily want to back this crap team but the line is so inflated and there are several situational factors that make this a value play IMO.