Calgary (2-1) at Montreal (4-0)
When: Saturday, July 6th 2024
Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium,
Montreal, Quebec
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: CBSN
Opening Odds: Montreal -9.5/50
The top two scoring defenses will collide on Saturday night when the undefeated Montreal Alouettes host the Calgary Stampeders in a Week 5 clash. Montreal has the top scoring defense in the league at 18.3 points a game, while Calgary is second at 23.0. However, the Als rank first in yards allowed per game and Calgary is all the way down to seventh in the league. The Alouettes are large 9.5-point favorites with a total of 50 for Saturday’s matchup.
Montreal swept the season series in 2023 with 25-18 and 28-11 victories and have covered the spread in seven of the last eight meetings. The Stamps last won in Montreal in 2018, a 12-6 barn burner. The Als are 3-1 ATS this season, while Calgary’s ATS record mirrors their SU mark at 2-1.
On the injury front, only DB Cre’Von Leblanc (hamstring) did not participate in practice this week for Montreal. Calgary on the other hand, has a list of players that sat out practice including DL Kwadwo Boahen (back), DL Elliot Graham (hamstring), and DB Demerio Houston (ankle).
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Calgary is coming off a 22-19 overtime victory over the winless Blue Bombers last Saturday, who lost quarterback Zach Collaros in the first half. Jake Maier was 28-of-43 for 239 yards and a touchdown. Wideouts Marken Michel (nine receptions, 75 yards and one TD) and Reggie Begelton (seven catches for 50 yards) were Maier’s favorite targets. Kicker Rene Paredes has been a dangerous weapon, connecting on all 11 field goals this season including the 52-yard OT winner last week.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The Als are coming off an impressive 30-20 win over Toronto behind a stout defense. Montreal was flagged only five times for 65 yards, whereas Toronto committed 11 penalties for 120 yards. QB Cody Fajardo completed 33-of-41 for 284 yards and a touchdown. Cole Spieker caught eight balls for 113 yards and a score. Tyson Philpot leads the CFL in yards after the catch (YAC) with 194. The Alouettes are second in the CFL in scoring at 31.8 points a game to go along with their top rated defense.
Prediction:
I’ll lay the points here. Calgary hasn’t allowed a lot of points, but their yardage allowed leads me to believe there will be a regression. The Als have been dominate so far and I think they easily improve to 5-0.
