Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Venue: TD Place Stadium (The Stadium at TD Place), 1015 Bank Street, Ottawa, Ontario
This is a rematch of last week’s thriller, in which Calgary edged Ottawa 40-38 on a late 62-yard field goal by René Paredes. Calgary remains in the West Division playoff hunt (last place but only a game or two out of a potential crossover or higher seeding with games left against stronger West foes). Ottawa is winless and historically struggling, having become just the second CFL team to open a season 0-13 (after the 1994 Shreveport Pirates). Both sides have little left to play for in terms of standings but pride, development, and avoiding further low points are factors.
Venue and Weather
TD Place Stadium is an open-air venue in Ottawa. Forecast for Saturday calls for mostly sunny to partly cloudy conditions, highs around 22–23°C (72–73°F), lows near 12–13°C (53–55°F), light north winds (around 10–15 km/h), and little to no precipitation chance. Ideal football weather with comfortable temperatures and good visibility.
Current Rosters and Key Players
Calgary Stampeders (HC Dave Dickenson):
QB Vernon Adams Jr. is the primary starter (~3,261 passing yards, 27 TDs). He threw for 357 yards and 2 TDs in the recent win over Ottawa. Backup options include Quincy Vaughn (short-yardage specialist) and others.
RB Dedrick Mills has been a workhorse (~943 rushing yards) but has been sidelined with a hip injury; Deonta McMahon and Ludovick Choquette have filled in.
Receivers: Jalen Philpot (team leader ~915 yards, strong in recent game with 9 catches/118 yards/1 TD), Reggie Begelton (veteran returnee dealing with head/knee issues), Tevin Jones, Erik Brooks.
Defense features pass-rush contributors like Clarence Hicks and a unit that creates turnovers effectively (league-high interception and fumble return yards in some rankings). Kicker René Paredes has been reliable, including the game-winner last week.
Ottawa Redblacks:
QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson started the recent game against Calgary and threw 5 TDs in the high-scoring loss (his first start of the season in some reports; earlier play included Jake Maier). The offense has shown flashes under the veteran.
Receivers: Justin Hardy (~925 yards), Keelan White (multiple TDs in recent outing), Kalil Pimpleton.
Running game is among the league’s weakest (fewest attempts/yards).
Defense has struggled overall (allowing high points and yards), though individuals like King Ambers have contributed interceptions. Special teams include kicker Brett Lauther.
Injury Reports
Calgary:
Reggie Begelton (WR, head) – limited/DNP progression; status to monitor.
Elijah Hills (DL, ankle) – limited.
Preston Nichols (OL, pectoral) – limited.
D’Antne Demery (OL, ankle) – DNP.
Dedrick Mills (RB, hip) previously out/on longer list; other skill players like Dejon Brissett (elbow) have been sidelined.
Ottawa:
Extensive list including Greg Bell (RB, abdomen – out), Travian Blaylock (DB, hamstring – out), Brian Cole II (LB, head – out), several DLs (Jessie Evans, Aidan John, Sione Teuhema, Cleyon Laing illness, Blessman Ta’ala, Charlie Parks), LBs (Aaron Casey, Lucas Cormier, Nyles Morgan), DBs (King Ambers calf), and OL (Samuel Carson, Julian Pearl, Giordano Vaccaro). Multiple head/shoulder/ankle issues. Availability is limited across the roster.
Recent Team Forms
Calgary: Won last week 40-38 vs. Ottawa after a rough stretch (losses to Edmonton by wide margins). High-scoring offense (2nd in points/game ~35) but defense allows points (8th). Capable of big plays and late heroics. Away record mixed; overall 6-8 keeps faint playoff hopes alive with tough remaining schedule.
Ottawa: 0-13 and searching for first win. Competitive in recent games (close losses to Toronto and Calgary) with improved QB play under Bethel-Thompson, but defensive and running deficiencies persist. Home record poor; the team has shown fight but lacks consistency to close out games.
Series History
Calgary holds the edge in the all-time series against Ottawa franchises (Stampeders lead roughly 13-8-2 in modern Redblacks era tallies; broader historical lead more pronounced). Recent meetings include Calgary’s 40-38 home win on Sept. 19, 2026. The teams have Grey Cup history (Ottawa’s 2016 OT upset win; Calgary’s 2018 victory). Games can be high-scoring and competitive despite the records disparity.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Vernon Adams Jr. vs. Ottawa secondary/pass rush: Adams’ dual-threat ability and accuracy against a depleted Ottawa D that has allowed big plays. Philpot and Begelton (if healthy) as primary targets.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson vs. Calgary defense: Bethel-Thompson’s recent TD production (5 last week) faces a turnover-creating Calgary unit. Hardy and White as key weapons.
Calgary run game (McMahon/Choquette) vs. Ottawa front: Calgary’s stronger rushing attack against Ottawa’s weak run defense.
Special teams: Paredes’ long-range accuracy vs. Lauther; return game could matter in a potential shootout.
Turnover battle and red-zone efficiency will be decisive given both offenses’ scoring potential.
Betting Trends
Overs have been common in Calgary games (especially road/underdog spots and September).
Unders strong in some historical Ottawa home meetings.
Calgary often favored but has struggled to cover larger numbers; Ottawa covers as big underdogs at times due to competitiveness. Public lean favors the Stampeders given the winless opponent.
GAME ODDS
Calgary Stampeders – 2
Ottawa Redblacks 62.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 25, 2026
