Henoc Muamba featured in our early 2023 Grey Cup odds and picks

Grey Cup Odds: Early 2023 Odds Favor Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had a league-best 15-3 regular-season record in 2022 that helped them stay at the top of the Grey Cup oddsboard for the majority of the campaign. After winning the West Division for the third consecutive year, the Blue Bombers were competing to earn a historic three-peat in Saskatchewan. However, the Bombers were denied when the Toronto Argonauts, who finished the regular season 11-7 to top the East, took them down in a thrilling 24-23 finish in the 109th Grey Cup game. 

It was a low-scoring first half, with Toronto failing to reach the end zone and trailing 10-7 at the break. But the Argos stormed out hungry after the intermission and linebacker Henoc Muamba’s fourth-quarter interception was the difference-maker as Toronto scored 10 points in the final 11 minutes to take the lead. Muamba was named the Grey Cup MVP and Most Outstanding Canadian for his defensive efforts, the second player ever to win both awards in the Grey Cup.

Despite hoisting their 18th Grey Cup in franchise history, the Argonauts aren’t the early favorites to win the 2023 Grey Cup. According to online sportsbooks, the Blue Bombers are +185 favorites to take back the title. Following them are the B.C. Lions (+425), Calgary Stampeders (+475), Montreal Alouettes (+650) and the defending champion Argos (+650) to round out our top five.

Next season’s Grey Cup, which is Canadian football’s Super Bowl, will be held in Hamilton, Ontario at Tim Hortons Field, the home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Once the season kicks off, follow along for all our CFL betting action and be sure to check out our CFL weekly picks page.

Find complete Grey Cup odds below and head over to our CFL Betting Guide to help inform your bet strategy. Want to bet on the Grey Cup but don’t know where to start? Check out our How to Bet CFL guide to help you get in the action.

Who Is Favored to Win The 110th Grey Cup?

Odds To Win CFL - Grey Cup 2023
TeamOdds
Winnipeg Blue Bombers+225
British Columbia Lions+550
Hamilton Tiger-Cats+550
Toronto Argonauts+550
Calgary Stampeders+700
Montreal Alouettes+1100
Saskatchewan Roughriders+1100
Ottawa REDBLACKS+1200
Edmonton Elks+1400

Odds as of June 4th, 2023 15:51pm EDT.

2023 Grey Cup Champions Picks & Best Bets

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+185)

Not many were expecting the Bombers to fumble the three-peat. They were the first team to clinch a playoff spot and won the West Division while qualifying for the postseason for the sixth straight season. 

QB Zach Collaros, who was 2021’s CFL Most Outstanding Player for the second straight season, put up the best numbers of his decade-long career in 2022, throwing for 37 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards. However, the six-foot-one signal-caller struggled in Regina, completing just 14 of 23 tosses for 183 yards in the Grey Cup. The 34-year-old signed a three-year extension with Winnipeg in October and will continue his role of starting quarterback next year.

The Bombers are always an offensive threat. They averaged 29.2 points per game in the regular season, ranking just behind the Stampeders (31.2). If Collaros can stay healthy and the offense continues to look top-notch, expect the Bombers to stay near the top of the odds and return to the Grey Cup for the fourth consecutive year.

B.C. Lions (+425)

Grab a tissue before I break the news: QB Nathan Rourke will no longer be playing in the CFL, signing a three-year deal with the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars. Before he was injured in Week 11, the 24-year-old was on his way to winning the Most Outstanding Player award and putting his team in position to win the Grey Cup. Rourke recorded 3,970 passing yards and 25 touchdowns – just imagine what his stats would have looked like if he’d played the full season. It’ll be tough to replace his talent, but the Lions were prepped.

Late in the season, B.C. picked up Vernon Adams Jr. from the Alouettes after Rourke hurt his ankle. The 30-year-old Adams looked promising, winning four of his six starts with the Lions and pocketing six touchdowns and over 1,500 passing yards. On top of his veteran leadership, the Lions have prime offensive weapons in WR Dominique Rhymes and RB James Butler. Rhymes finished the regular season with 11 TDs and over 1,400 receiving yards while Butler was second in the CFL with 1,060 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns.

Let’s be honest, B.C. looked like dynamite with Rourke at the forefront of the success. The Lions will still look strong, but I think it’ll take a while for the group to switch gears after Rourke’s departure. Still, keep a close eye on them at midseason once roles are settled.

Value Pick: Calgary Stampeders (+475)

For the sake of profit, I’m taking a closer look at the Stampeders next season. They’re starting fresh, with 10-year veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell moving on to Hamilton. Jake Maier, the 25-year-old who took over the starting role partway through last season, racked up 14 touchdowns and just under 2,500 passing yards through 11 regular-season starts.

Perhaps Calgary’s best asset is Ka’Deem Carey, who topped the league  with 1,088 rushing yards and scored 10 majors, helping the Stamps easily rank first with 135.3 rushing yards per game last season. Calgary averaged 31.2 points per game during the regular season for the CFL’s most productive offense. With Carey and the rest of the group running in the right direction, I can see the Stampeders being a reliable value pick. According to our odds calculator, a $100 bet on Calgary would pay out $575, which is a $475 profit.

Last 10 Grey Cup Champions

Grey Cup Champions over The last Decade
YearChampionsFinal ScoreRunner-Up
2022Toronto Argonauts24-23Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2021Winnipeg Blue Bombers33-25Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2019Winnipeg Blue Bombers33-12Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2018Calgary Stampeders27-16Ottawa Redblacks
2017Toronto Argonauts27-24Calgary Stampeders
2016Ottawa Redblacks39-33Calgary Stampeders
2015Edmonton Eskimos26-20Ottawa Redblacks
2014Calgary Stampeders20-16Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2013Saskatchewan Roughriders45-23Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2012Toronto Argonauts 35-22Calgary Stampeders

2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19.

With another championship in 2022, the Argos now have 18 Grey Cups in their trophy case, the most by any team in the league. The Edmonton Elks, despite winning just once in the last decade, have the second most with 14. The Bombers, whose recent back-to-back wins boosted their total championships to 12, have appeared in 27 Grey Cups – the most of any team.

Other CFL Futures

Looking for more action in the form of CFL futures bets? Online sportsbooks will offer odds for you to bet on division winners, Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. If you are looking to bet on CFL odds, be sure to check out our CFL betting odds, picks and more so you can win big on the Canadian Football League this season.

CFL Grey Cup Odds FAQ

How do Grey Cup futures work?

CFL futures bets are long-term wagers on which team you think will win the Grey Cup. If you want to skip the weekly wagers on individual games and cut right to the most important match of the season, a Grey Cup futures bet can be a profitable and fun way to stay connected with the CFL all year long.

How do I bet on the CFL final?

You can easily place a bet on the CFL final, any CFL game, or a Grey Cup future at any online sportsbook. Choose whatever betting site is best for you, take advantage of a sign-up bonus to get some free cash or a free bet, and pick what team you think will win the Grey Cup this year.

Was there a 2020 CFL season?

The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, for the first time in over 100 years, the Grey Cup was not awarded. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were favored to win the 2020 title before the campaign was canceled amid the global pandemic. The 2021 season got underway in early August and concluded with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers winning the Greg Cup.

Who Won The 2022 Grey Cup?

In a 24-23 finish, the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to hoist the 109th Grey Cup. In Regina, Saskatchewan, the Argos denied the Bombers a historic three-peat, a feat which hasn't been accomplished in over four decades since the Edmonton Elks in 1982.