Toronto Argonauts vs Edmonton Elks Preview
The Toronto Argonauts return from their bye week looking to continue in the same vein when they face the Edmonton Elks on June 22 at 5:00 pm. The Elks are winless in 2024 following losses in their opening two games while the high-flying Argos sit second in the Eastern Division.
All eyes will be on Toronto this week as they are among the favourites to win the Grey Cup this season. They fell agonizingly short in the division finals in 2023 but will be desperate to rebound this season. Whereas, the Elks need to find stability now or risk having a mountain to climb with three consecutive losses.
Toronto Argonauts vs Edmonton Elks Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These teams last met in October for game week 18. Edmonton travelled to BMO Field on that day knowing that a win would keep their playoff hopes alive. The Elks had a horrendous first half of the season but turned their fortunes around by week 11.
After going 0-9, they won four from six, leading into their clash with Toronto. However, their form collapsed again. The Argonauts owed much of their 35-12 victory to a formidable defence. They recorded five sacks, grabbed two interceptions, and forced a fumble in the game. Their dominance was evident after holding the opposition to one point across three quarters. Toronto ran Edmonton into the ground with an excellent running game, securing 151 yards from the rush with three touchdowns.
The two sides also met in the third game of the season in 2023 in a 74-point thriller. Toronto’s defence once again played the starring role in their victory. They sacked the Elks’ quarterbacks six times, keeping them from scoring in the third quarter to help them to a 43-31 victory.
Edmonton’s poor form at the back end of last season has leaked over into 2024. Coach Chris Jones’ team is now winless since September 2023, losing their first two games of the season. They opened against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and looked strong for much of the game, leading by two scores heading into the third quarter.
They fell victim to a total collapse in the final ten minutes. Toronto scored a touchdown with their first drive of the quarter. They then recovered a fumble from the Elks’ first play upon the offence’s return to the field. Saskatchewan scored again from the resulting drive. The Roughriders’ sixth sack of the game forced a fumble which allowed them to score their third touchdown of the quarter. The game ended 29-21 to Saskatchewan.
The Elks then faced a tough test against Grey Cup favourites, the Montreal Alouettes. However, they showed improvement from week one. The Alouettes only outscored Edmonton in one quarter but the Elks slipped to a narrow 23-20 defeat.
Toronto opened with a convincing victory over the BC Lions before their bye week. The clash signalled an early meeting between two of the championship favourites in 2024. Toronto was as dangerous as ever with their running game and frequently punished the Leos despite Vernon Adams Jr. playing strongly. They secured 120 yards along the grass with a further 254 through the air and three touchdowns for a 35-27 win.
Toronto Argonauts vs Edmonton Elks Prediction
Prediction: Toronto Argonauts 35-22 Edmonton Elks
Toronto will pile on the misery for Edmonton at BMO Field on Saturday. The Argonauts looked very impressive against BC in their season opener, and the Lions are a much stronger team than the Elks. Toronto will also have the home advantage for the first time this season. Our football prediction is for a Toronto victory.
Ryan Dinwiddie’s team was impressive in all phases of their offence against the Lions. Cameron Dukes completed 21 of 27 passes for 254 yards and three passing touchdowns. Toronto also managed 120 yards when rushing. Their roster is full of offensive class and they have too many tools that can hurt Edmonton.
Toronto has one of the strongest defences in the league, something the Elks felt the brunt of in their games last season. They have carried that into 2024. In their most recent game, the Argonauts’ defence completed six sacks for 46 yards.
OK, I like it, Picasso 🎨@FolarinTheGreat gets in on the fun pic.twitter.com/NOoyp7RD2t
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 10, 2024
Defensive tackles Jake Ceresna, Folarin Orimolade, and Jared Brinkman combined for ten overall tackles and four sacks. Six of those tackles were for losses. The pressure they can put on offensive lines is overwhelming. Edmonton has allowed five sacks already in their opening two games and will not have an answer for this hulking defensive line.
Veteran running back Ka’Deem Carey has made an instant impact in Toronto since arriving from the Calgary Stampeders in February. He had 16 carries for 65 yards on his debut against BC and can build on that against a team with an even weaker defence. Edmonton allowed 116 yards along the ground in their most recent game against the Montreal Alouettes. An experienced running back like Carey will smell blood.
Elks quarterback Mcleod Bethal-Thompson had a great start to the season, despite his team being winless. He threw for 300 yards in his most recent game and 336 yards in their opener. Edmonton can be dangerous through the air and MBT will look for chunk plays as they chase the game.
Toronto Argonauts vs Edmonton Elks Betting Picks
A bet on Toronto is worth 4/11. They are the heavy favourites in this game, and they can score freely, but a moneyline wager is not quite worth it. Instead, we like a bet on the Argonauts to score over 27.5 points worth 4/5. They proved their offensive prowess in their season opener with the Lions. BC is a considerably better team than Edmonton at both ends of the field and Toronto scored 35 points.
The spread is set at 5.5 with our online sportsbook. With the home advantage, we are backing Toronto against the spread. They covered this in their last game and will probably outscore themselves in their second of the season. They covered this same line in all but three of their victories in 2023, with both wins over the Elks covering. Bet on Toronto to cover again here at 17/20.
Ka’Deem Carey had an excellent debut against BC. He carried 16 times for 65 yards. Edmonton was weak against the run in their last game and Carey will fancy himself here. His line has opened at 63.5, worth 20/23 in the football betting markets. We think he is in line for an even bigger game here than against the Lions. He is also 20/33 for an anytime touchdown. We like both bets. You can combine them in a Same-Game Parlay for 2/1. You can also extend the odds by backing him to score the first touchdown of the game, which is worth 5/1.
Despite Edmonton being underdogs, the CFL odds suggest another big game is on the cards for MBT. He has thrown for a whopping 636 yards in his opening two games. Toronto was susceptible to the pass in their game against the Lions, allowing 363 yards for Vernon Adams Jr. MBT’s passing line is set at 295.5, worth 20/23. While another 300+ yard game seems a hefty task, the stats show MBT can cover that number. We are backing him to hit the over once again.
Edmonton has proved they can score and most of their issues come on the defensive side. They kept it tight against a strong Montreal team, and MBT managed two passing touchdowns against Saskatchewan. We like a longshot bet on Edmonton to score 2+ passing touchdowns.
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We have signed WR Jake Herslow 🌊 pic.twitter.com/pWKADrCOb8
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 14, 2024
Toronto Argonauts Team News
Toronto announced the signing of wide receiver Jake Herslow last Saturday. He is in line to make his first appearance as an Argo against Edmonton. The offensive trio of Albert Awachie, Tommy Nield, and Damonte Coxie were full participants in training this week after missing game one. They will return on Saturday.
DaVaris Daniels and Folarin Orimolade did not practice this week. They are questionable to appear against Edmonton. The medical team has limited Jonathan Jones’s training sessions, making an appearance unlikely this weekend.
Edmonton Elks Team News
Josiah Schakel has yet to play this season and has not practised this week. He is out for the Toronto fixture. Romeo McKnight has returned to limited practice and looks to be fit for a return on Saturday. Brett Bokyo is in full practice after a head injury and will play against the Argos.
