Elks vs. Redblacks CFL Week 12 Prediction & Picks: What Can Ottawa Do Without Brown?
Written by: Eddie Griffin
Last Update: Sat Aug 23, 2025, 11:16 am ET
Read Time: 3 minutes
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The Edmonton Elks have picked up some momentum at the halfway point of their season, winning back-to-back games over the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts. Tonight, the Elks will go for their first three-game win streak since last season vs. the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, CFL+).
Edmonton (3-6) is last in the West Division behind Saskatchewan (8-1), Calgary (6-3), Winnipeg (6-4), and BC (5-5), but the state of the East Division is such that the Elks aren't far off from being in the playoff picture. Can they boost their hopes further with a win tonight in Ottawa? Read on for our Elks vs. Redblacks prediction and picks. Which top online sportsbooks offer the best betting value for the Friday night festivities? Find out below.
Edmonton Elks vs. Ottawa Redblacks Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Elks | -3 (-108) | -168 | Over 53.5 (-110) |
| Ottawa Redblacks | +3 (-112) | +148 | Under 53.5 (-110) |
Elks vs. Redblacks Prediction and Picks
The elevation of Cody Fajardo to starting quarterback may have come weeks into the season, but it was just what the Elks needed. After close losses to Saskatchewan and Hamilton, Edmonton has picked up consecutive wins over Montreal and Toronto behind fourth-quarter contributions by Fajardo in both wins.
And they are favored to make it three straight wins in tonight's Elks vs. Redblacks matchup, for which the home team will be without starting quarterback Dru Brown due to injury. Brown went down with a lower body injury in last week's loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was replaced by Dustin Crum, who helped the Redblacks mount a comeback that ultimately fell short at Princess Auto Stadium.
Crum got a couple of starts earlier in the season when Brown was out with a hip injury, so he isn't going in cold. But there is a drop-off, especially when Brown was coming off an outstanding performance at Toronto.
I like how the Elks are playing right now, especially at the business end of games. Across Fajardo's four starts, Edmonton has outscored Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Montreal, and Toronto 43-13. With Brown sidelined for this week and Fajardo likely to have a big night against an aerial defense that has given up a lot of yards recently, the Elks are a strong pick to win a second straight road game.
Elks vs. Redblacks Prediction: Elks to win
Elks vs. Redblacks Picks: 1) Elks -3 (-108 at BetOnline) 2) Cody Fajardo over 289.5 passing yards (-120 at Bovada) 3) Cody Fajardo over 1.5 touchdown passes (-130 at Bovada)
Other CFL Week 12 Betting Information
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