The Montreal Alouettes have already clinched a playoff spot with a 10-1 record and they’ll be rested after last week’s bye. The Lions are tied for first in the crowded West Division and should be feeling good after snapping a five-game losing streak with a 38-12 blowout win against Ottawa last week.

The Als opened as 3.5-point favourites to win on the CFL odds, with the total set at 50.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

BC swept the season series last year and they are 8-2 both straight up and against the spread in the last 10 head-to-heads. With how tight the West Division standings currently are, the next matchup between these teams in Week 20 could have major playoff implications for the Lions.

BC hasn’t been great on the road this season, going 2-5 SU outside of BC Place. They also haven’t rewarded bettors as they are 5-7 ATS on the season and have failed to cover in five of their last six games. Low scoring games have been a trend for the Lions, with the total going Under in eight of 12 games.

Montreal has easily been the best team in the CFL all year and they enter Week 14 with a 5-1 home record. They’re 7-4 ATS overall, including covers in four of their last five games and they’ve alternated the Over/Under almost evenly.

BC Lions

After struggling in his first two games since returning to the CFL, last week Nathan Rourke looked much more like the player who was named Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022. Rourke completed 21 of 30 pass attempts for 325 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also added 29 yards on the ground and a rushing TD. BC’s offence was humming, with four players finishing with over 50 receiving yards while William Stanback rushed for 93 yards and a score.

While Vernon Adams Jr. returned to practice this week, Rourke will remain the starter. It looked like a quarterback controversy could be brewing with Rourke’s slow start to the season, but he has the edge as of now. That quarterback depth will be crucial in the back half of the season. The Lions also received a big addition with the return of defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Betts, who was cut from the NFL’s Detroit Lions, provided a spark to a pass rush that finished with four sacks against Ottawa.

Montreal Alouettes

It was a successful return to the lineup two weeks ago for Cody Fajardo, who missed the previous four games with a hamstring injury. Fajardo finished with 326 passing yards, two TDs and an interception in the 21-17 comeback win against Edmonton. His favourite target was Cole Spieker, who finished with 107 receiving yards and two TDs, while Charleston Rambo finished with 95 receiving yards. Defence was key late in the game as the Als prevented the Elks from scoring in the red zone twice in the final two minutes of the game.

Montreal bolstered their offensive depth with the re-signing of receiver Austin Mack after he was cut by the Atlanta Falcons. Mack had a quiet return in Week 12 with 34 yards on three catches, but he’ll likely be a bigger contributor as the season goes on after finishing with almost 1,200 receiving yards last year.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Lions vs. Alouettes?