Andrew McInnis

THE PLAY: Total Over 48.5 (-105)

Week 1 in the CFL offers a sneaky strong opportunity on the Over 48.5 in what projects to be a high-scoring affair between two teams with explosive potential — and glaring defensive flaws.

Edmonton’s offense looks notably improved. Despite off-season coaching changes, the Elks have made upgrades at quarterback and receiver, leading to better execution in camp and preseason. They’ll be more capable of sustaining drives and finishing in the red zone compared to the unit that averaged just 18.5 PPG in 2024. Putting up 21–24 points here isn’t just possible — it’s expected.

The bigger issue for Edmonton? The defense hasn’t kept pace. The Elks allowed 29.6 points per game last season (second-worst in the CFL) and made few meaningful personnel upgrades. Their secondary remains vulnerable, especially against elite QB play — which brings us to Nathan Rourke.

Rourke is back and dangerous. The Lions star quarterback is fully healthy, sharp in camp, and armed with a full set of weapons. In his last healthy campaign, he completed nearly 79% of his passes while averaging over 300 yards per game. Facing a leaky Edmonton secondary, he’s in a prime spot to light up the scoreboard.

Add in new BC head coach Buck Pierce’s aggressive offensive mindset, and you’ve got a clear recipe for points. Pierce favors a vertical passing game and a high tempo, and he’s not afraid to take risks on third down — a formula built to pile on scoring, not grind clock.

The trends support it too: Each of the last three meetings between these teams has cleared 50 points, averaging 53.7 total.