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Edgar Chaput
Alouettes vs. Tiger-Cats Prediction: CFL Week 3 Point Spread, Odds
Montreal takes its 1-0 record into southern Ontario to start the weekend with a contest against the Tiger-Cats, who themselves already need to course correct.
The CFL odds still view this game as a close one. The Tiger-Cats are -2.5 favourites with the total set at 44.0.
CFL Odds and Betting
A week ago, it felt as though the stage may have been set for quite a Friday night. The Tiger-Cats headed into Toronto with a chance to even their record at 1-1, led by veteran Bo Levi Mitchell while Montreal, at 1-0, waited in the wings for a rematch of the 2022 East Division semi-final. Oh, how things have changed.
Montreal still awaits, and technically it is a rematch of the playoff game the Als took 28-17 last November, but Bo Levi Mitchell will not play due to injury and the Ticats’ defence is looking worse for wear these days. In Mitchell’s stead is Matthew Shiltz.
If we include the aforementioned postseason bout, Montreal has won three in a row and the home side has won the last five. Hamilton is not only 0-2 in the standings, but they hold the same record against the spread. Montreal covered its only spread opportunity so far two a fortnight ago in Week 1.
Montreal Alouettes
If it feels as though we haven’t seen much of the Alouettes in 2023, that’s because we haven’t. They played arguably the Week 1 that got the least amount of hype at home to Ottawa and then went on their bye.
The game itself, a 19-12 victory over the Redblacks, wasn’t exactly one for the history books either. It started brightly, with former Roughriders QB Cody Fajardo leading the charge for a first drive touchdown. But from that point onward, Montreal’s offence frequently stalled, with Ottawa’s defence limiting the damage to field goals. Shoutout to kicker David Côté, a Québec City native, for helping the regional club get a win.
Fajardo was still rather efficient, finishing 14-for-20 for 261 yards and rushing in the lone TD himself. WR Austin Mack had quite a night, corralling four passes for 120 yards. The offensive line needs to do better. Fajardo was sent to the turf six times in Week 1.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
As the Week 2 game against the Toronto Argonauts progressed, the Tiger-Cats regressed. Thankfully there is still plenty of football left to be played, but clearly, there are issues that require Orlondo Steinauer’s attention.
Through two weeks, the defence has been a liability. They can count themselves lucky insofar as this week they get to play a team that’s still searching for its own offensive identity. Perhaps a date with the Alouettes is just what the doctor ordered. It wasn’t just that they gave up chunk yardage to Chad Kelly and the Argos, but the penalties were blowing up whatever decent plays they could make. Seven in total for 91 yards.
Levi Mitchell’s day at the office wasn’t great either. It’s never easy starting afresh with a new club, especially at the quarterback position, but Week 2 was not good at all. Two end zone interceptions were brutal, and by the time he was sent off due to injury in the final period, he had only thrown for 161 yards. One bright spot was WR D’haquille Williams, who caught six passes for 102 yards.
MTL
HAM