The BC Lions are off to a hot start and will look to continue it against the Edmonton Elks, and we’re offering our top Elks vs. Lions predictions based on the best CFL odds.
It was heartbreak for the Elks (0-3) in Week 3 when the Toronto Argonauts hit a walk-off field goal to keep them winless. Now they head to BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday to do battle with the Lions (2-1) at 10 p.m. ET (TSN/RDS, CFL+).
Behind the play of Vernon Adams Jr., the CFL Most Outstanding Player odds favorite, the Lions are one of the league’s most dangerous teams and are getting the shortest Grey Cup odds in the West. But will their defense be able to slow an Elks club that put 36 on the Argos?
Elks vs. Lions prediction
Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale; odds via our best sports betting sites.
Over 52.5 ⭐⭐⭐
When it was quietly announced the Lions put Keon Hatcher on the six-game injured list, there was some concern tied to just how explosive BC could be without its top receiver. Despite being down his All-Star pass-catcher, Adams hasn’t missed a beat and the Lions continue to boast the CFL’s best passing attack.
BC is putting up the most yards per game (430) and most passing yards per game (346) in the league thanks in part to its depth at receiver. Without Hatcher, Alexander Hollins has taken on a larger role after topping 1,000 yards in 2024. He leads the league in receiving yards by a large margin with 402 already.
Given Adams’ arm talent, he and Hollins are terrifying to any defense, and it doesn’t hurt that the team also fields Justin McInnis in the Robin role. He’s third in the league in receiving yards (289) and is playing at an All-Star level. Good luck to the Elks covering those two.
Edmonton is clearly struggling with defensive issues that have hindered its ability to win, even when McLeod Bethel-Thompson guiding them to plenty of scores.
The Elks are allowing the fourth-most points per game in the CFL (30.3) and the second-most rushing yards (109). That should open the door for Lions RB William Stanback to produce a strong day on the ground.
The Elks have the talent to keep up
It’s hard to imagine Edmonton slowing BC down, so the only choice will be to keep up. We saw in Week 3 that the Elks can score plenty. They’ve played all three opponents close, despite being winless.
Bethel-Thompson has given Edmonton a steady presence under center, and he’s second in the league in passing yards (978) behind just Adams. The Elks possess one of the best wide receiver groups in the league, too.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. is starting to look healthy again and making plays, and he’s 11th in the CFL in receiving yards (207) while not even Edmonton’s leading target. That would be Dillon Mitchell, who has leveled up in 2024 while sitting fourth in yards (274).
And don’t forget about former All-Star Eugene Lewis. He’s still building chemistry with Bethel-Thompson, but Lewis has accumulated over 5,000 career CFL receiving yards.
That crew can get after a Lions defense that’s been a little up and down in 2024. BC ranks middle of the pack in most categories, but it’s allowing the third-highest QB rating in 2024 (119.4) along with 25.3 points per game.
I’m not sure Edmonton can win, or even cover, but the Elks can score enough points to force the Lions to keep throwing until this Over cashes. There’s a 52.61% implied probability it will, and a $10 winning bet pays out $19.01.
Best odds: -111 via Betway
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