The Als narrowly missed out on a 2-0 record after a tight loss to Calgary last week, but they shouldn’t overlook Hamilton.  It’s been a disappointing start for a Ticats team many people expected to go far this season, so Montreal can expect a hungry team desperate for a win.

The game opened as a pick’em on the CFL odds, with a total of 45.5.

CFL Odds and Betting

These teams played three times in 2019 with Hamilton earning one win at home and one on the road.  The Alouettes’ lone win came in Montreal.  Two of the three games hit the Over.

Hamilton is 0-2 against the spread this season, but they’ve covered in five of their last seven games against Montreal.  The total has gone Under in five straight games overall for the Ticats and four of their last five on the road.

The Alouettes are 1-1 ATS this season, but they’ve failed to cover in six of their last eight home games.  Through two games in 2021, Montreal has split the Over/Under.  They’ve gone above the number in four of their last five contests.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Hamilton got a much needed week off to reset after a 30-8 blowout loss in Saskatchewan in Week 2.  The Ticats were sacked six times in the game and held scoreless in the second half.  Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli looked overwhelmed, throwing for 135 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns.  Hamilton’s lone TD was a one-yard quarterback sneak by Masoli that came off a fourth consecutive attempt.  Brandon Banks, the 2019 CFL Most Outstanding Player, had a quiet game with five receptions for 30 receiving yards.  Turnovers haunted the Ticats.  The Roughriders scored 24 points off six Hamilton turnovers.

Right now it’s up in the air as to Masoli starting on Friday.  On Monday he was listed as limited in practice because of a rib issue on Hamilton’s injury report.  The team did sign American quarterback David Watford this week, but he’s on the suspended list until he completes his quarantine.  If Masoli isn’t good to go, Dane Evans should get the start.  Evans replaced Masoli near the end of the third quarter against Saskatchewan.  He wasn’t any better than Masoli and finished 3-for-10 passing for 21 yards.

Montreal Alouettes

Discipline was the undoing for Montreal in a 28-20 loss to Calgary last week.  The Alouettes took 16 penalties for 149 yards.  It was a good start for the Als as they picked off two Calgary passes for touchdowns and led 14-3 in the second quarter, but they couldn’t hold on.  Things started to fall apart in the third quarter, with Montreal only managing one first down on four possessions.  Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. couldn’t connect on more than half his passes.  Adams finished 20-for-42 passing for 261 yards.  He threw for two touchdowns and one interception.  Running back William Stanback rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

It’s pretty obvious Montreal will have to solve their penalty problems and do it quick.  In a shortened season, every win, every play and every penalty is crucial.  Out of the 16 penalties they took against Calgary, eight were for roughing and one was for lining up offside when the Stamps were on Montreal’s one-yard line.  There was even two flags declined by Calgary in the game.  It’s really simple for Khari Jones and company against Hamilton.  Don’t take 16 penalties.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Tiger-Cats vs. Alouettes?