May 2, 2019
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Stampeders have challenge in Grey Cup defence

The Calgary Stampeders finally got over the line last season to win the CFL Grey Cup, beating the Ottawa Redblacks by a comfortable margin in the title game, to the surprise of many betting fans. The Stampeders had suffered back-to-back defeats in the Grey Cup in the 2016 and 2017 campaigns, falling agonizingly short in their previous attempts to win the crown.

However, it proved to be third time lucky for head coach Dave Dickenson, who won the title for the first time since assuming his role in 2016. Dickenson now has the challenge of guiding the club to be odds-on to become the first team to win successive Grey Cups since the Montreal Alouettes in the 2010 term. The Stampeders will have the opportunity to win the crown in their home stadium with the 107th Grey Cup scheduled to be play in Calgary.

Due to their consistency on the field over the last three seasons, the Stampeders are the leading contenders in the CFL betting odds to lift the Grey Cup. However, there have been a lot of changes on their roster during the off-season, stripping Dickenson of talent in key areas of the team. General manager John Hufnagel has managed to hand his head coach another team capable of making a surge and more will follow in the Draft. The most important player on the team – quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell – remains and is operating at the peak of his powers, which bookmakers will take into account when figuring out the odds.

Bet Against Mitchell at Your Peril

Mitchell was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Player in his side’s triumph, while he was also selected as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player for the second time in his career. The 29-year-old’s performances did catch the attention of NFL teams, with reported workouts in February, but Hufnagel was able to tie down the quarterback to a new two-year deal in Calgary. His performances alone could be the reason why the club are considered the leading contenders in the betting markets to retain their crown. Although Mitchell will need to be on form once again as he will have an almost new crop of receivers to work with, while his key man from last term Kamar Jorden works his way back from a torn ACL. Jorden’s return from injury will be a crucial aspect of the term and influence the betting markets for the campaign, especially later in the season.

DaVaris Daniels, Marken Michel and Lemar Durant, who caught a touchdown in the Grey Cup, have all moved on to pastures new. Their departures may have effected Calgary’s betting odds to win the crown as their replacements are inconsistent or unproven commodities in the offense. The club managed to retain the services of Eric Rogers, while former Chicago Bears wideout Daniel Braverman was signed to bolster their options in the slot. The running game will be crucial to the Stampeders’ success. Don Jackson was outstanding in his first term in the CFL, finishing fourth in rushing yards in the league with 924 rushing yards and three touchdowns to his name. Oddsmakers also appreciated that Terry Williams produced a vital play in the Grey Cup triumph, producing a 97-yard return for a touchdown. He will be looking for an expanded role in the new campaign after producing in a limited role behind Jackson last term.

Calgary’s Defense Will Have to Defy the Odds

For the second year in a row Calgary have lost an All-Star to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Micah Johnson joined Charleston Hughes in Regina, taking another key defensive lineman away from Dickenson’s men. The Roughriders themselves are developing a strong team and are backed in the region of +750 to take the crown away from the Stampeders. JaGared Davis and James Vaughters also departed, with the latter signing a future deal with the Bears, although he could become available later in the campaign. There’s plenty of work ahead of Dickenson and Hufnagel to generate a pass-rush for their side without their two sack leaders from the 2018 campaign, which means that they may have to defy the odds to produce on defense.

On the bright side, the secondary remains stacked with experience and quality, returning Jamar Wall and Tre Roberson, who had key interceptions of Redblacks quarterback Trevor Harris in the Grey Cup. Courtney Stephen was signed from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are now outsiders at +900 due to the loss of the defensive back, to further bolster the ranks ahead of the campaign. It will not be a straightforward task for the club to reach the title game for the fourth year on the bounce given the exodus of key players, which may have brought pack closer to them in the minds of the bookmakers. It will be a testament of coaching and quality play at the quarterback position that will decide their fate.

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