Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Preview
The Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes clash on September 21 at 3:00 pm in a meeting between the two strongest teams in the East Division. Both sides enter the game after failing to win their last fixture.
Montreal and Ottawa have secured their places in the playoffs with plenty of games to spare. However, they will want momentum behind them heading into the postseason and a win here would do just that. Can Ottawa topple the league leaders, or will Montreal get back to winning ways on the road?
Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Head-To-Head and Key Stats
The Ottawa Redblacks and Montreal Alouettes last clashed in week three of the regular season on June 21 at Molson Stadium. A spectacular performance from Montreal saw them crush the Redblacks 47-21. Cody Fajardo starred in the victory, passing for 393 yards and three touchdowns.
Montreal came flying out of the gates in the first quarter, playing ruthlessly on both sides of the ball. They secured an interception and scored two touchdowns and a field goal to storm ahead 17-1 after 15 minutes. The Alouettes’ defence went one better in the second quarter, forcing two turnovers and ultimately shutting out Ottawa. Fajardo secured his second passing TD, and the Als led 30-1 at halftime. The Redblacks shut out Montreal in the third, but it was too late to mount a comeback. Montreal scored 17 to Ottawa’s nine in the last quarter to cap off a spectacular performance.
The Ottawa Redblacks last played on September 14 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field. Bob Dyce’s team fell to defeat on the road for the second time in three games. The Redblacks managed just two made field goals through the first three quarters along with five turnovers on their way to a disappointing 37-21 loss.
Hamilton scored from the first possession of the game despite fumbling the kick-off. They still maintained a good field position and Ottawa’s defence was weak against the pass, allowing a field goal. The Redblacks’ frustration grew when they could only convert a field goal after advancing to Hamilton’s 17-yard line. Hamilton made them pay for their missed chances, scoring from a punt return to end the first quarter 10-3. The Redblacks could not find a cutting edge throughout the game, accented by their failure to capitalise on a turnover from an INT in the second. Bo Levi Mitchell led the charge on three scoring plays and Ottawa was down 21-6 at halftime to the worst team in the division.
A shutout came in the third quarter while Hamilton scored eight of their own to hammer in the final nail of Ottawa’s defeat. The Redblacks notched 15 in the last 15 minutes, but the consolation points were not enough to mount a comeback or distract from what was a poor overall performance.
The Montreal Alouettes clashed with the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on the same day. Jason Maas’s team put in a laboured performance on the road. They had to settle for a 19-19 tie after overtime against a Calgary side that had lost their previous four games.
Montreal failed to score in the first quarter. Walter Fletcher fumbled his carry on their first possession to hand the ball to Jake Maier. The Calgary quarterback led his side on a four-play scoring drive to go ahead. Calgary scored a field goal to extend their lead and Montreal ended the first quarter down 10-0 with just 39 all-purpose yards on offence. Cody Fajardo battled back to score a rushing touchdown in the second quarter and Montreal kept the Stamps out to end the first half 10-7 to Calgary.
Both teams played poorly on offence for the remainder of the game. The Als scored two field goals in the second half and Calgary managed one to tie the game and send them to overtime. Neither side was ruthless enough, failing to find the endzone and settling for two field goals apiece to end the game at 19-19. Montreal managed just 292 net offensive yards and a 31.3 second down percentage in one of their poorest performances of the season.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Predictions
Correct score prediction: Ottawa Redblacks 21-31 Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes have looked way off it since confirming their spot in the playoffs. They are two games without a win for the first time since September last year. The results may not be all that important with their place in the postseason confirmed, but they will want to head into the playoffs with momentum behind them. They can pick themselves back up to see off the Ottawa Redblacks. Montreal possesses a superior roster, and injuries have decimated Ottawa’s defense. Our football prediction is for a Montreal victory in Ottawa.
Adarius Pickett has been one of the best defenders in the CFL this season and Ottawa’s star player. Redblacks fans were devastated to hear that he ruptured his Achilles on the first play from scrimmage against Hamilton and will miss the rest of the season. Pickett’s fellow linebackers Jovan Santos-Knox and Frankie Griffin add to Ottawa’s injury woes along with defensive end Bryce Carter and two in the secondary. Injuries have shredded their defence in recent weeks, giving Montreal a gigantic advantage.
Ottawa’s defence has slipped in recent weeks and Pickett’s omission will only make that worse. Only two teams in the league have allowed more points than the Redblacks. They are averaging 31.6 points allowed per game in their last five, conceding at least 27 each time. Montreal have a strong offence and they can put the sword to the Redblacks on Saturday.
Montreal, on the other hand, has seen its ranks bolstered by the returns of important players from the sidelines. Kaion Julien-Grant, Tyler Snead, and Marc-Antoine Dequoy are all back in training. Fans were also excited to hear the announcement of Lwal Uguak’s return to Montreal. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived the defensive lineman at the end of August. The Alouettes announced this week that they had resigned Uguak, who was a key piece of the puzzle in their Grey Cup victory last season.
Neither side covered themselves in glory last week with poor performances on both sides of the ball. However, the worst defence in the league notably outplayed Ottawa. They only managed to score two field goals in 45 minutes and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats shut them out in the third quarter. That is a huge worry leading up to a game where they will have to rely on their offence with their defence banged up and watching from the sidelines.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Betting Tips
The Montreal Alouettes are the favourites for this game, worth -149 with our online sportsbook. They already have a convincing victory over the Ottawa Redblacks this season and top the league. The Redblacks’ injury woes have left their depth seriously light, and Montreal can take advantage. Bet on the Montreal Alouettes to win.
Ottawa may be light in defence, but as long as Justin Hardy is fit, they have an excellent offensive outlet. The wide receiver is second in the league for receiving yards with 1,013 and is coming off a huge 103-yard game against the TiCats. CFL betting will fancy the American to build on that performance. Bet on Hardy to have over 67.5 receiving yards, worth -115.
THAT’S 1000 RECEIVING YARDS FOR JUSTIN HARDY!#CFL pic.twitter.com/w8zbqj5c0q
— CFL (@CFL) September 15, 2024
The Redblacks’ defence has slipped in recent weeks, averaging 31.6 points allowed per game. They have allowed at least 27 points in each of their last five games. Montreal averages 27 points per game in 2024 and they are playing the Ottawa defence at a perfect time. Bet on the Alouettes to score over 26.5 points.
Live betting is also an option for this game. The Alouettes have performed poorly in their last two games and the Redblacks’ offence is good enough to challenge them. Ottawa can stun Montreal as underdogs, and they also have the home advantage. Keep an eye on the in-play football markets as the game progresses.
Ottawa Redblacks Team News
Defensive backs Adarius Pickett and Money Hunter are both out of this game, with respective Achilles and shoulder injuries. Pickett will not return for the remainder of the season. Linebacker Frankie Griffin will miss the clash with an ankle injury. Dino Boyd is out with an injury to his bicep and wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton will miss the game with a hand injury.
Montreal Alouettes Team News
Defensive back Najee Murray is out of this game with a foot injury. Fellow defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy is questionable after a head injury. His inclusion will be a game-time decision. There are otherwise no fresh injury worries for Montreal.
