Venue: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, Quebec.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (broadcast on TSN/RDS; also available via CFL+ and other platforms).
Weather forecast
Partly cloudy/mix of sun and cloud. Daytime high around 24°C (75°F), evening low near 14–16°C (57–61°F). Light winds (around 2–15 km/h), low precipitation chance, comfortable conditions for an outdoor evening game.
Current Form and Standings
Montreal sits atop the East Division (and the CFL power rankings) at 8-1, averaging roughly 35.7 points per game while allowing about 27.4. They are coming off a bye after a strong stretch that includes a 48-30 win over Edmonton. The offense leads the league in yards per game (~455.7) and ranks near the top in scoring.
Ottawa is winless at 0-9, last in the East and the league. They average ~23 points scored and a league-worst ~35.8 allowed. They are on a 15-game losing streak overall (dating into 2025) and have lost 13 straight to Montreal. Recent results include losses of 21-33 at Winnipeg, 20-42 at Saskatchewan, and 13-34 at home to Montreal. The Redblacks sit near the bottom in nearly every major statistical category.
Injury Reports
Ottawa (heavily depleted, especially on the defensive line and secondary): Multiple players listed Out, including DL Muftah Ageli (hamstring), FB Emeric Boutin (ankle), DL Michael Brodrique (knee), LB Aaron Casey (groin), DB Adrian Frye (hand), DB Scott Hutter (ribs), DL Cleyon Laing (foot), DL Charlie Parks (bicep), OL Julian Pearl (groin), and TE Jevoni Robinson (hip). Questionable: LB Nyles Morgan (hamstring), DB Dionte Ruffin (hamstring). Available: OL Drew Desjarlais, DL Daniel Okpoko. Ottawa has a league-high number of players on the six-game injured list.
Montreal (strengthened by returns): Four key defensive starters return and are Available: LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (adductor), DL Mustafa Johnson (knee), DB Najee Murray (head), and DB Wesley Sutton (lower leg/calf). Also Available: DL Daniel Wise. Out: RB Stevie Scott III (hamstring), DB Don Callis (ankle), FB David Dallaire (knee), OL Des Holmes (back), DB Faion Hicks (non-injury related). RB Shomari Lawrence is back in the mix.
Key Player Matchups
QB Davis Alexander (MTL) vs. Ottawa secondary: Alexander has been elite, with strong efficiency, high yardage totals (on pace for historical numbers), and a strong supporting cast. Ottawa’s depleted secondary (multiple DBs out) will be tested repeatedly.
WR Tyson Philpot (MTL) vs. Ottawa DBs: Philpot leads the CFL in receptions and receiving yards (over 1,150 yards and multiple TDs through recent games) and is on a historic pace. He has dominated previous matchups against Ottawa. Tyler Snead provides a strong complementary threat.
QB Jake Maier (OTT) vs. Montreal defense: Maier has posted solid yardage (around 2,680 yards, 12 TDs, 11 INTs through 9 games) but has struggled with turnovers and efficiency amid a struggling supporting cast and offensive line issues. Montreal’s returning defensive starters (Cantin-Arku, Johnson, Murray, Sutton) should create significant pressure and coverage challenges.
Supporting notes: Montreal’s ground game and play-action will exploit Ottawa’s thin front; Ottawa receivers such as Ayden Eberhardt and Justin Hardy will need big plays against a stout Als secondary.
Series History
Montreal has dominated recently. The Alouettes have won the last 13 meetings (streak dating to October 2022). In 2026 alone: Montreal won 37-35 (June 28 at home) and 34-13 (July 31 in Ottawa). All-time since the modern Redblacks era, Montreal holds a clear edge in the rivalry. Ottawa’s last win over Montreal came on October 10, 2022.
Betting Trends
Trends favor Montreal heavily: strong home record, consistent covering of large spreads against weaker teams, and high-scoring offense against the league’s worst defense. Ottawa has struggled ATS recently and has covered only sporadically. Totals have often gone Over when Montreal’s offense faces poor defenses. Montreal is 7-2 ATS and 7-2 on the Over in recent tracking; Ottawa is poorer in both.
Overall outlook
Montreal is heavily favored to win comfortably and improve to 9-1 while Ottawa drops to 0-10. The Alouettes’ balanced attack led by Alexander and Philpot, combined with a healthier defense and home advantage under favorable weather, positions them for a decisive victory. Ottawa will look for competitive snaps and individual bright spots, but the gap in roster health and overall quality is substantial.
GAME ODDS
Ottawa Redblacks 62.5
Montreal Alouettes – 12.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, August 19, 2026
