Matchup Overview

The 9-7 Alouettes need a win to secure second place in the East, while the 4-12 Elks are dubbing Saturday's matchup the first game of 2024. Montreal is riding a three-game hot streak and gearing up for the playoffs. Alternatively, Edmonton has lost two in a row and is looking ahead to next year. The Elks have given the Als a tough time recently, posting a 7-3 straight-up (SU) record in their last ten.

Recent History

This is the first meeting between these two this season. The last meeting was on October 1, 2022, in Edmonton, where Montreal won 25-18 and covered the -2 spread. The teams were in similar positions in the standings as they are this year; Montreal was 7-7 at the time and went on to play in the Eastern Final, while Edmonton was 4-11 and didn't make the playoffs. The key players will be different this time around as QB Trevor Harris is no longer an Alouette, and the Elks have replaced their starting QB from last year with Canadian Tre Ford.

Alouettes' Recent Performance

The Alouettes are coming off an impressive sweep over their division rivals, the Ottawa Redblacks. They beat the Redblacks two weeks ago 32-15 in Ottawa, and again 29-3 last Monday at home, easily covering the -1.5 and -6 points, respectively. Als' QB Cody Fajardo played well enough again last week, throwing for 272 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Montreal's defense kept the pressure on Redblacks quarterbacks all game, as they amassed five sacks and kept them to three points.

Elks' Recent Performance

Edmonton showed signs of life after the switch to Tre Ford under center in Week 9, and there was even some brief potential for them to make the playoffs, but back-to-back losses to BC and Toronto have ended that. They are looking at building for 2024 at this point, but aside from the game in Toronto, where they lost 12-35, they have been competing on the field, and most importantly, on the scoreboard. Despite the improved play and close games, the Elks are 1-1-3 against the spread in their last five.

Weather Forecast

The weather forecast for Saturday afternoon in Edmonton is sunny and clear.

Injury Report

The Elks had nine players from the defense on Wednesday's injury report; five did not practice, as linebackers Woodly Appolon, Nyles Morgan, defensive linemen Cole Nelson, J-Min Pelley, and defensive back Marcus Lewis all sat out. Offensive Lineman Brett Boyko was limited. The Alouettes, having just played on Canadian Thanksgiving Monday, have not practiced as of the writing of this piece and have no injury report at this time.