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CFL best bets: Receiver returns to featured role

By John Dudley | Last updated 7/7/23

Week 5 in the CFL reverts to a four-game slate, with each tilt getting its own night from Thursday to Sunday. The Friday matchup features the 3-1 Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who are three-time defending champs of the West, hosting a divisional battle against the 1-2 Calgary Stampeders. The Bombers are deservingly favored by more than a touchdown, but a player on the other side earns our backing for the night’s top prop:

The bet: Over 55½ receiving yards for Calgary Stampeders wide receiver Reggie Begelton (DraftKings)

When Bo Levi Mitchell was his primary quarterback in 2019, Begelton delivered a career-best season. His 1,444 receiving yards ranked second in the league, and he was a unanimous selection as his team’s Most Outstanding Player. He then spent two years trying to play in the NFL, seeing game action for the Packers only once.

Back with the Stamps for a full season in 2022, Begelton finished tied for third with 85 receptions despite alternately playing with Mitchell and this year’s starter, Jake Maier. The new connection was electric in their last game together, with Begelton catching eight Maier passes for 141 yards. But since he missed the next game with a rib injury, the books have posted a very manageable number on this prop.

While Calgary comes in rested following a bye, Winnipeg has played every week and shown vulnerability in pass defense. Its secondary has allowed eight completions of 30 yards or more, and opponents have been throwing for an average of 280 yards per game.

With fellow star receiver Malik Henry out for the season and the Stamps likely to be playing from behind, Begelton should see frequent targets all night.

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