Playing for pride, and playing to stay out of the CFL basement. Those are the key story lines for the Argos and Alouettes this week as they play game one of a home-and-home series.

CFL Betting Analysis

At one point not too long ago these franchises were battling it out for top spot in the East division. Now, they both find themselves at the bottom of the division, and out of the post season. The two teams have split the last eight games, winning four games each. On August 24, the Alouettes surprised the Argos at home as Boris Bede kicked a 27-yard field goal to win with just over a minute left in the game.

Montreal Alouettes

The Alouettes are coming off a bye week after a 12-6 loss at home to the Calgary Stampeders during Week 17. In that game, the offence managed two field goals, and succeeded in entering the Stampeders 25 yard line just once the entire game. Now that running back Tyrell Sutton is a BC Lion, it has opened the door for William Stanback to take over the role fulltime, and he made the most of the situation running for 67 yards in 12 carries.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel had his biggest yardage game in the CFL, passing for 250 yards in the loss. Overall, no matter what quarterback has started for the Alouettes, scoring points has been a problem. With 253 points scored this season, 16.87 points per game average, the offence will have to be revamped next season, and perhaps the franchise will get a look at some new players in these last remaining games.

Toronto Argonauts

The Argos, just like the Alouettes are playing out the season. These two teams have had very similar seasons, identical records, and identical stats; in the Argos case, the worst defence in football. The team has allowed 474 points against in 15 games, that’s an average of 31.6 points against. The offence isn’t much better with 324 points for, an average of 21.6 points per game scored, that’s the second worst offence in the league.

James Franklin will likely get the start at quarterback. His last outing was respectable, throwing for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 44 yards on seven carries. Receiver SJ Green was a big target once again hauling in seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. It’s surprising that the Argos did not deal him at the trade deadline. Green is ranked seventh in the league with 918 yards receiving and could have helped a contending team, hello Calgary. Meanwhile the Argos are looking to build for next season.

Alouettes vs. Argonauts Prediction