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Elks vs. Lions Prediction, Expert Picks & Odds: Veteran QBs to Shred Defenses

Rob Paul

Last Updated: June 25, 2024 4:00 PM EDT • 4 min 9 sec read.

BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr throws the ball during the second half against the Calgary Stampeders at BC Place. We're expecting a high scoring game in our Elks vs. Lions Prediction.
BC Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr throws the ball during the second half against the Calgary Stampeders at BC Place. Photo by Simon Fearn/USA TODAY Sports via Imagn.

The BC Lions are off to a hot start and will look to continue it against the Edmonton Elks, and we're offering our top Elks vs. Lions predictions based on the best CFL odds.

It was heartbreak for the Elks (0-3) in Week 3 when the Toronto Argonauts hit a walk-off field goal to keep them winless. Now they head to BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday to do battle with the Lions (2-1) at 10 p.m. ET (TSN/RDS, CFL+).

Behind the play of Vernon Adams Jr., the CFL Most Outstanding Player odds favorite, the Lions are one of the league's most dangerous teams and are getting the shortest Grey Cup odds in the West. But will their defense be able to slow an Elks club that put 36 on the Argos?

Elks vs. Lions prediction

Pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale; odds via our best sports betting sites.

Over 52.5 ⭐⭐⭐

When it was quietly announced the Lions put Keon Hatcher on the six-game injured list, there was some concern tied to just how explosive BC could be without its top receiver. Despite being down his All-Star pass-catcher, Adams hasn't missed a beat and the Lions continue to boast the CFL's best passing attack.

BC is putting up the most yards per game (430) and most passing yards per game (346) in the league thanks in part to its depth at receiver. Without Hatcher, Alexander Hollins has taken on a larger role after topping 1,000 yards in 2024. He leads the league in receiving yards by a large margin with 402 already.

Given Adams' arm talent, he and Hollins are terrifying to any defense, and it doesn't hurt that the team also fields Justin McInnis in the Robin role. He's third in the league in receiving yards (289) and is playing at an All-Star level. Good luck to the Elks covering those two.

Edmonton is clearly struggling with defensive issues that have hindered its ability to win, even when McLeod Bethel-Thompson guiding them to plenty of scores.

The Elks are allowing the fourth-most points per game in the CFL (30.3) and the second-most rushing yards (109). That should open the door for Lions RB William Stanback to produce a strong day on the ground.

The Elks have the talent to keep up

It's hard to imagine Edmonton slowing BC down, so the only choice will be to keep up. We saw in Week 3 that the Elks can score plenty. They've played all three opponents close, despite being winless. 

Bethel-Thompson has given Edmonton a steady presence under center, and he's second in the league in passing yards (978) behind just Adams. The Elks possess one of the best wide receiver groups in the league, too.

Kurleigh Gittens Jr. is starting to look healthy again and making plays, and he's 11th in the CFL in receiving yards (207) while not even Edmonton's leading target. That would be Dillon Mitchell, who has leveled up in 2024 while sitting fourth in yards (274).

And don't forget about former All-Star Eugene Lewis. He's still building chemistry with Bethel-Thompson, but Lewis has accumulated over 5,000 career CFL receiving yards.

That crew can get after a Lions defense that's been a little up and down in 2024. BC ranks middle of the pack in most categories, but it's allowing the third-highest QB rating in 2024 (119.4) along with 25.3 points per game.

I'm not sure Edmonton can win, or even cover, but the Elks can score enough points to force the Lions to keep throwing until this Over cashes. There's a 52.61% implied probability it will, and a $10 winning bet pays out $19.01.

Best odds: -111 via Betway

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Elks vs. Lions first team to score

Lions (-152)

If Bethel-Thompson wasn't coming off a game in which he threw for 342 yards and four scores, I'd be feeling really confident about the Lions scoring first. While I'm still backing them to do so, I do worry about the Elks' chunk-play passing game, which is why I love the Over. Still, Adams and Hollins were unstoppable during Week 4, and I wouldn't be shocked to see a quick score over the top early.

Even one major play to either Hollins or McInnis can get BC into scoring range with Sean Whyte's leg. The veteran is 8-for-8 on field goals so far in 2024, and he's 3-for-3 from over 40 yards. He was 25-for-28 kicking from 40-plus yards in 2024, too, so you know if the Lions cross midfield they'll likely come away with points.

These odds imply a 60.32% win probability with a $10 bet paying a $6.58 profit.

Elks vs. Lions odds

Elks vs. Lions odds via Betway as of Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET.

TeamsMoneylineSpreadTotal
Lions-333-7.5 (-111)Over: 52.5 (-111)
Elks+275+7.5 (-111)Under: 52.5 (-111)

For as good as BC has been this season, 7.5 points is a lot against an Elks team that's proven it can play with the big boys. Edmonton only lost to Montreal, the best team in the league, by three points and nearly beat Toronto. Both teams are 2-1 ATS this season, making it hard to feel strongly backing either in what should be a bit of a shootout early.

That scoring ability of both teams is why this total is so high, and why I still feel comfortable taking the Over. If it were two points higher I'd probably back off, but both these passing games are humming and the receivers look unstoppable. The Lions have scored at least 26 in all three games and the Elks have allowed at least 29 in two of three.

Elks vs. Lions game info

  • When: Thursday, June 27 (10 p.m. ET)
  • Where: BC Place (Vancouver, B.C.)
  • How to watch: TSN/RDS, CFL+
  • Weather: 59 degrees, 1-mph winds, 30% chance of precipitation (retractable roof)
  • Favorite: Lions -7.5 (-111 via Betway)

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Written By:
Rob Paul
Rob is a Publishing Editor at Sportsbook Review. He’s been with the team since early 2024, with this being his first full-time role in the sports betting industry. Before joining SportsbookReview.com, he contributed to various sports outlets, including FanSided and Pro Football Network. During that period, he spent five years working full-time as a local community journalist, after attending Durham College for journalism and Wilfrid Laurier University for history. He previously hosted an NFL draft and college football-focused podcast where he had the opportunity to interact with future NFL players such as Maxx Crosby and Quinn Meinerz. Rob has spent multiple years working as a freelance podcast producer for numerous sports-related podcasts while making guest appearances on several college football shows. He’s also made guest appearances on SportsTalk Mississippi on several occasions to talk all things NFL draft. Rob values the way sports betting acts as a catalyst for telling stories and growing interest in certain sports, particularly FCS football, WNBA, and mid-major college basketball. He’s always been drawn to the more obscure teams and conferences in major college sports, but most of all, Rob loves using stats to find the best player props to back.