Elks vs. Roughriders CFL Week 8 Prediction & Picks: Three Picks to Target for This Week’s Opener

Through the first seven weeks of the Canadian Football League season, one of the biggest stories has been a hot start by the Edmonton Elks. Tonight, they will look to consolidate their place atop the West Division as they visit the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network) to open the Week 8 slate.

Last week, the Elks (5-1) avenged their lone loss of the season as they edged out the struggling and shorthanded BC Lions 19-17 at Commonwealth Stadium. Justin Rankin was held to just nine rushing yards on seven carries, but four interceptions of Chase Brice helped Edmonton avenge a 36-24 loss in Week 5.

The Roughriders (4-1) are returning to action after being off last week, and it will be a somber evening at Mosaic Stadium following the death of team captain Jayden Dalke, who passed away Saturday night in a vehicle collision that also claimed the life of 22-year-old Bhishma Rajyaguru, the driver of the other vehicle involved.

The defending Grey Cup champions have won two in a row since a home loss to the Toronto Argonauts in Week 4, and they are favored to bump the Elks out of top spot in the West, according to the odds at Lucky Rebel and other top online sportsbooks.

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Elks vs. Roughriders Odds

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Elks vs. Roughriders Prediction and Picks

You can never predict how a team will play in a situation such as the one the Roughriders find themselves in, especially given the sensitive circumstances surrounding Dalke's crash.

So, the smart move here is to stay away from a spread play on either side, though I do like the Riders to take care of business at home. They are averaging 34 points per game and have scored at least 27 points in every game, and I expect another prolific performance tonight.

Edmonton's start is certainly very impressive, and I like the Elks' potential for sustained success this season with the CFL's best running back in their ranks. But the home team gets the nod here, even if I don't think a side play is the way to go from a betting perspective.

Elks vs. Roughriders Picks

• Samuel Emilus Over 58.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at Lucky Rebel)
• Kian Schaffer-Baker Over 49.5 Receiving Yards (-115 at Lucky Rebel)
• Saskatchewan Roughriders Over 30.5 Points (-130 at Lucky Rebel)

Schaffer-Baker, who is averaging 6.8 receptions per game and 94.2 receiving yards per game (on an average of 8.8 targets per game), has gone over 49.5 receiving yards four times in five games this season, while Emilus, who is averaging 4.6 receptions per game and 72.8 receiving yards per game (on 6.2 targets per game), has gone over his listed total for tonight four times in five games this season.

Even if Harris doesn't approach his own total (300.5 yards) against the Elks, I like him to continue to spread the ball around well enough between Emilus, Schaffer-Baker, and KeeSean Johnson (7.2 receptions per game and 95.8 receiving yards per game on an even 10 targets per game) for both of these player prop picks to hit.

Another productive night for the aerial attack should contribute to another good night on the scoreboard for the Roughriders, who have scored 31 or more points in each home game this season.