After the 1-2 Ottawa Redblacks dropped their home-opener 24-12 to the BC Lions last week, they’ll try to even their record when they host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday night.  The 1-2 Alouettes also dropped their home-opener last week, falling 27-10 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Montreal is a 6-point favourite to win on the CFL odds, with a total of 42.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

The Alouettes got the better of Ottawa in 2019, winning two of three meetings.  The Over hit in all three games.  The road team has won the last four games in this series.  It’s worth noting, the road team has won the last four games in this series.

Dating back to 2019, the Als’ have a great record against the spread on the road, going 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games outside of Montreal.  They’re 1-2 ATS overall this season.  The total has gone Under in two of the Alouettes’ three games this season.

Ottawa was brutal in 2019 and it doesn’t look like things are trending much better in 2021.  Dating back to 2019, the Redblacks are 1-13 straight up in their last 14 games overall and they’re on a five-game home losing streak.  They’ve failed to cover in five of their last six home games and they’re 1-2 ATS this season.  The total has gone Under in all three of Ottawa’s games this year.

Montreal Alouettes

It didn’t look good for Montreal from the start last week, as they quickly trailed Hamilton 10-0 in the first quarter.  Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. was quick to take the blame.  Adams went 16-for-31 passing, finishing with 171 yards as well as a touchdown and interception each.  It was a concerning offensive performance from a player and team who have failed to record more than 10 points in a game this season.

The run-game wasn’t any better, with top running back William Stanback managing just 40 rushing yards. The entire team combined for just 70 rushing yards in the game.  B.J. Cunningham was Montreal’s top receiver, with 59 yards on five receptions.  Jake Wieneke also had five receptions, picking up 50 yards, while Geno Lewis had 46 yards on three catches.

The Als’ defence didn’t give Ti-Cats QB Dane Evans much to work with, sacking him six times, including two from Michael Wakefield.  They also held Evans to 183 passing yards, although he did throw for two TDs.  Monshadrik Hunter led Montreal with seven total tackles.  Against a very weak Ottawa offensive line, Wakefield, Hunter and the entire defence could make life hard for Redblacks QB Matt Nichols on Friday.

Ottawa RedBlacks

Head coach Paul LaPolice looked visibly frustrated in Ottawa’s home-opening loss last week, as he watched his offence continue to struggle.  Nichols went 23-for-37 passing, finishing with 207 yards, no TDs and an interception.  The veteran quarterback, who is the only Ottawa QB to make a pass attempt this season, still hasn’t thrown a touchdown.  Ottawa has struggled heavily in the red zone, with kicker Lewis Ward picking up all 12 of their points.

The Redblacks’ leading rusher was Justin Davis, who finished with 43 yards on 12 carries.  Receivers Ryan Davis and Nate Behar started to look like they were building a connection with Nichols.  Davis finished with 77 receiving yards on eight receptions, while Behar had 66 yards on five catches.

Randall Evans and Davon Coleman both recorded sacks for Ottawa.  Evans also led the team with seven total tackles, while Justin Howell, Don Unamba and Avery Williams all had five.

The Redblacks sit last in the CFL in points per game (10.7) and yards per game (198.7).

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Alouettes vs. RedBlacks?