The Canadian Football League (CFL) is a dynamic sports league when it comes to situational betting on sides and totals, featuring plenty of competitive action and frequent upsets. The start of the 2023 season has been no exception. In this report, we review situational roles and edges based on the Straight Up (SU), Against the Spread (ATS), and Over/Under (O/U) records for each team through the first four weeks.
Teams Performance Analysis
Toronto Argonauts (A): The Argonauts are on a hot streak this season with a 3-0 SU and ATS record. They have a 2-1-0 O/U record, which means there's more action going over the line. With an average score of 40 points per game, they top the offensive leaderboard. Whether at home or on the road, the Argos are showing they've got the grit and the grits.
British Columbia Lions (A): The Lions, roaring at the start of the season, hold a sturdy 3-1 SU and ATS record. Their 1-3-0 O/U record implies games are not exactly high-scoring affairs. However, with an average of 25.25 points per game, they rank third in offense. Their road warrior status is cemented with solid records of 2-1 SU and ATS.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A): The Blue Bombers are dropping big numbers with a 3-1 SU and ATS record, same as the Lions. Their 2-2-0 O/U record shows an even split on totals. Clocking in at an average of 27.5 points per game, they sit comfortably at second in offense. They've got their travel kit sorted out, rocking a 2-0 SU and ATS on the road.
Montreal Alouettes (A) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (A): Both teams are flying high with 2-1 records for SU and ATS, hinting at a promising season start. However, their O/U records tilt slightly towards the under, suggesting a tougher defense. Montreal's average of 20 points per game places them sixth in offense, while the Roughriders, with 24.33, are hot on their heels in fourth place.
Teams on the Skids: Hamilton Tigercats (C), Edmonton Elks (C), and Calgary Stampeders (C) are currently stuck in the mud. The Tigercats are hunting for their first win with a 0-3 SU and ATS record, though their O/U record of 2-1-0 gives fans some hope. The Elks and Stampeders share a 1-2 SU and ATS record, with their O/U records at 1-3-0 and 1-2-0 respectively. With the Elks averaging a league-low 12.75 points per game, and the Stampeders scoring an average of 22.33, it's clear their offenses need to up their game.
Situational Roles Analysis
- Favorites vs. Underdogs: Favorites have a slight edge over underdogs with an overall win percentage of 53.33%. However, underdogs have proven themselves in specific situations, notably when the spread is PK to +3.0, demonstrating a strong SU and ATS record of 83.33%.
- Home vs. Road Teams: Interestingly, road teams have shown a greater overall win percentage of 60% as compared to home teams, which are only winning 40% of the time. This might imply a possible lack of home-field advantage in the early part of the season.
- O/U Analysis: Overall, the under seems to be prevailing with a lower percentage of games hitting the over (40%). However, there's a notable exception in home underdog situations with a spread from 3.5 to 6.5, where the over has hit 75% of the time.
- Point Spread Categories: High-scoring favorites (spread -7.0 to -9.5) have been covering the spread 100% of the time, both at home and on the road. For underdogs, the most significant edge appears in the PK to +3.0 range, where they have won 80% of road games and 100% of home games.
- Total Points Categories: In terms of the total points categories, the road teams tend to have a slightly higher win percentage across all categories, especially in the 41.5 to 44 and 47.5 to 51 ranges.
In conclusion, while favorites and home teams typically have the edge in sports betting, this season's early CFL data suggests otherwise. The Argonauts and Lions have emerged as early-season leaders, underdogs are holding their own, and road teams are outperforming home teams. Bettors should keep an eye on these trends as the season progresses.
