Grey Cup odds: Hamilton Tiger-Cats open as 4-point underdogs against Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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Published December 6, 2021 at 11:46 am

QB Dane Evans (pictured with the ball) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are the betting underdogs against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 108th Grey Cup despite having home field advantage. (The Canadian Press photo)

It looks as though the ‘Cats will be the dogs going into the 108th Grey Cup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Despite having home-field advantage this Sunday, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats opened the week as 4-point underdogs on most sportsbooks. Some books have the Bombers favoured by as much as 4.5 points.

Road to the Grey Cup

Dane Evans ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to a 27-19 road win over the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final.

Andrew Harris ran for 136 yards and one touchdown as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers overcame six turnovers in a 21-17 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division Final.

 

Tale of the tape

Winnipeg has been a juggernaut this season, finishing with an 11-3 record. They scored more than any other team in the league (26 points per game) and gave up the least (13). Hamilton, meanwhile, finished the season 8-6. They averaged 22 points per game (tie-4th) and 17 against (2nd).

Interestingly, Winnipeg’s success this season has mostly come at home. They finished a perfect 7-0 at IG Field but a mediocre 4-3 on the road. Hamilton, meanwhile, was 5-2 at home this season.

2021 Final CFL Standings: Hamilton Tiger-Cats open Grey Cup 2021 as 4-point underdogs against Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The two teams haven’t played each other since the CFL season opener. The Blue Bombers defense stifled the Tiger-Cats on route to a 19-6 win at home.

Grey Cup role reversal

Hamilton holds the longest Grey Cup drought in the CFL with the club’s last win coming in 1999 against the Calgary Stampeders at BC Place. Winnipeg, meanwhile, ended a 28-season title drought by defeating Hamilton 33-12 in the 2019 championship game. In that game, it was Hamilton who was favoured going in.

The 2020 Grey Cup wasn’t held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Raucous crowd

The 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton next Sunday (Dec. 12) at Tim Hortons Field is officially sold out — even after several hundred additional tickets were made available.

The most costly tickets as of Monday were listed for $11,900 each. The pair of seats were located in row two at the 40-yard line.

The average ticket price on Ticketmaster’s resale market was around $1,700.

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