Edmonton carried a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter against Saskatchewan last week, but the Elks gave up 21 points in the final frame and lost 29-21. Montreal impressed in Week 1, beating Winnipeg 27-12 on the road in a Grey Cup rematch.

The Alouettes opened as 5.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 48.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

The Als and Elks didn’t meet until Week 19 last season, with Montreal winning 35-21 in Edmonton. Both teams had wildly different seasons. The Alouettes rode late-season momentum to win the 110th Grey Cup, while the Elks finished tied for the worst record in the CFL at 4-14. Although Edmonton did eventually win a home game last season, they also set a North American sports record by losing their 21st straight home game dating back to 2019.

Despite last week’s win in Winnipeg, the Als still lag the Blue Bombers at +375 to win the Grey Cup on the CFL futures board (Winnipeg is +220). It’s the opposite case for the Elks as they are tied with Ottawa for the longest Grey Cups odds at +2000.

Montreal Alouettes

Cody Fajardo and Tyson Philpot led the way for Montreal last week. Fajardo connected with Philpot for two touchdown passes as the Als controlled the Grey Cup rematch from start to finish. Fajardo completed 20 of 28 pass attempts for 254 yards, two TDs and one interception. Philpot racked up 141 receiving yards, the most of any Week 1 receiver. Walter Fletcher led the team with 36 rushing yards while backup QB Caleb Evans ran in Montreal’s only rushing touchdown.

There were a couple of injury issues for the Alouettes last week that are worth considering ahead of Week 2. Linebacker Reggie Stubblefield and receiver Tyler Snead both left last week’s game in the third quarter. Stubblefield is done for the season after suffering a torn ACL and although Snead hasn’t been added to the six-game injured list yet, he’s still expected to miss several weeks with an ankle injury. Both players were key contributors for Montreal last season, so the Alouettes’ depth will be tested.

Edmonton Elks

Edmonton led 18-8 after three quarters last week, but the Roughriders stormed back in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Elks 21-3. Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who spent last season in the USFL after leading Toronto to the 2022 Grey Cup championship, completed 33 of 42 pass attempts for 336 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Hergy Mayala caught both receiving TDs while Dillon Mitchell led the team with 93 receiving yards.

Edmonton’s offence took a hit before Week 1 with the news that receiver Kyran Moore will miss the entire season after suffering a torn ACL in practice. It’s a big blow to the Elks as Moore had a breakout season last year, setting a new career-high with 69 catches while recording 743 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Malik Flowers took Moore’s place in the lineup last week and finished with one catch for 14 yards.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Alouettes vs. Elks?