Yes, the Montreal Alouettes need to bounce back from a loss, which hasn’t happened since early July. The reality is they were properly overcome by the BC Lions at home in Week 14, 37-23. The Stampeders are suffering through a rough patch that has forsaken them to the West Division basement. The latest setback was a 37-16 footballing lesson delivered by the Edmonton Elks last week.

Our CFL odds have more faith in Montreal for this encounter, with the Als currently pegged as -5.5 favourites.

CFL Odds and Betting

Montreal is arguably the most frustrating CFL team for betters. It’s simple enough to pick them for straight-up wins and losses. They’re 10-2, but that’s not where fun money can be earned. The issue is that they aren’t impressive against the spread this season at 7-5. Montreal has failed to cover twice in a row and, despite all the hoopla surrounding their campaign, are only 4-4 ATS in their last eight matches.

Even so, the Alouettes still possess one of the league’s best defences. They only cough up 22.4 overall points per game (second best) and 20.3 offensive points per contest (best).

Those stats don’t bode well for a club like the Stampeders, who are second-last in both overall points scored (23.5) and offensive points generated (22.3). Worse, whatever hope Calgary had of being competitive in the West is slipping away. The club has fallen in four straight games – five of their last six, too. For our betting purposes, Calgary can’t cover to save their lives these days, having also lost four straight to drop to 6-6 on the season.

Montreal Alouettes

Interestingly, Montreal’s only two defeats this season have come at home. The most recent bump in the road was last Friday night versus the BC Lions, who ran riot 37-23.

In actuality, it was more than a bump in the road. BC thoroughly outclassed Montreal, earning more first downs (25-18), passing yards (304-240), and rushing yards (188-70). The latter was an especially bitter pill since former Als ball carrier William Stanback (128 yards, one TD) reminded them of what they’re missing.

Montreal was competitive enough in the first half, trailing only 17-13 at the break, but the side imploded in the third and fourth quarters. It was QB Cody Fajardo’s least impactful game of the season despite that his numbers were okay (27-for-37, 240 yards, one TD). In fact, on the topic of Fajardo and the club’s mediocre running game, he had the most yards on the ground with 34. Further emphasizing the odd night was Walter Fletcher – the team’s main back – who led the receiver group with 72 yards and eight targets. The final twist was that DL Darnell Stankey had a game-high 11 tackles, even though his side got blown out.

The discombobulated performance could be chalked up to “one of those nights,” but head coach Jason Maas will need a robust effort in Calgary.

Calgary Stampeders

Since we’re discussing the importance of bouncing back after failure, no one involved in Week 15’s match appreciates that more than Stamps QB Jake Maier. His overall performances have fallen off a cliff. So much so that it was backup Logan Bonner under centre versus the Elks last Saturday.

The decision did not pay off. Bonner (who has not taken first-team reps at practice this week), was picked five times. Yikes. Despite that, WR Reggie Begelton found a way to muster 123 yards on eight receptions. But just as Montreal’s run defence abandoned them, so too did Calgary’s leave the Stampeders hanging. The Elks obliterated the Stampeders to the tune of 213 yards on the ground.

Calgary’s only major was courtesy of a late consolation pick-six by DL Mike Rose. Make the final 37-16 for the Elks.

The Stampeders are in big trouble and will have to dig deep to vanquish what will surely be an angry visiting team.

Who Will Win Alouettes vs. Stampeders?