Ottawa (1-0) at Montreal (2-0)
When: Thursday, June 20th 2024
Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium,
Montreal, Quebec
Time: 7:30 ET | TV: CFL+
Opening Odds: Montreal -9/47.5
The Montreal Alouettes’ defense of the Grey Cup is off to a great start this season after two road wins out West. The Als will have their home opener Thursday night when they host the Ottawa Redblacks. Montreal already has wins at Winnipeg and Edmonton, while Ottawa’s lone game was a 23-19 victory versus the Blue Bombers last week. Montreal opened as 9-point favorites to win on the CFL odds, with the total pegged at 47.5.
Montreal’s run to the Grey Cup last year included winning all four meetings with the Redblacks in 2023, outscoring Ottawa by an average of almost 13 points per game. The Redblacks did beat Montreal during the preseason, but that’s insignificant. The Alouettes are now favored to win this year’s championship at +375, while Ottawa’s odds have jumped higher than any team in the league after their victory last week. The Redblacks enter the week at +1200, ahead of Calgary (+1800), Hamilton (+2000) and Edmonton (+2000).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
The Redblacks fought through a one-hour weather delay to hand the four-time defending West champion Blue Bombers their second loss of the season. Quarterback Dru Brown completed 20-of-33 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown, while backup Dustin Crum ran for a score. Brown will be back under center for Week 3 as Jeremiah Masoli works his way back from a ruptured Achilles he suffered last season. Ryquell Armstead ran for 95 yards and Justin Hardy led all receivers with 111 yards and a touchdown.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Montreal has not suffered from a Grey Cup hangover after two impressive road wins to start the season. The Als beat the Elks 23-20, but failed to cover the 4.5-point spread. Cody Fajardo completed 20-of-30 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns and added 27 yards on the ground. Walter Fletcher scored a rushing and receiving touchdown and led the team with 82 rushing yards and 61 receiving yards. Receiver Tyler Snead (ankle), linebacker Tyrell Richards (leg) and Reggie Stubblefield (ACL) were all injured in Week 1 and remain out.
Prediction:
Ottawa looked good last week at Winnipeg, but this is still a team that went 4-14 a year ago. It was ugly between these teams last season with Montreal winning all four and covering (easily) in three of them. I can see more of the same domination as the Als cruise in their home opener.
