The Edmonton Elks will have their home opener tomorrow night when they host one of the premier teams in the CFL – the Montreal Alouettes.
Edmonton had a bye in week 2, after opening its 2026 CFL season during week 1 in Ottawa. It was a big weight lifted off their shoulders with a 29-21 win over Ottawa.
Now that they have finally begun a football season on a positive note for the first time since 2019, the Elks will be put to the ultimate test when they host Montreal. With Montreal as one of the best in the CFL, this would be a great opportunity for Edmonton to build momentum early in the 2026 season.
Game Details
Date: Saturday, June 20th, 2026
Location: Commonwealth Stadium / Edmonton, Alberta
Kickoff time: 4:00 PM EST
Channel: TSN, RDS
Stream: CFL +
Weather forecast at kickoff: 11°C. Cloudy with heavy rain throughout parts of the day, heading into the night. It will feel like 8 °C with a wind gust of 41 km/h from the north. P.O.P will be 100%. There is a high risk of scattered thunderstorms from daybreak through the night.
Odds
Spread: Montreal Alouettes (-3.5) + 100 / Edmonton Elks (+3.5) – 122
Moneyline: Montreal Alouettes – 166 / Edmonton Elks + 138
Over / Under: Over 51.5 – 110 / Under 51.5 – 100
Via FanDuel Sportsbook
Edmonton Elks Depth Chart
Montreal Alouettes Depth Chart
Injury Reports
Players to watch: Edmonton Elks
RB – Justin Rankin
The engine that runs the offence. Justin Rankin is a beautiful asset to have on your football team. He has proven that he is one of the best in the CFL. He will be a problem for Montreal if they are not able to contain him during the game. Expect Justin Rankin to be a key piece for any success vs. Montreal.
LB – Joel Dublanko
The Alouettes are a tough team to stop offensively. Expect Joel Dublanko to play a key role on the defence in putting a dent into the Montreal running game.
QB – Cody Fajardo
Bitterness will always follow a player. In the case of Cody Fajardo, he would love nothing more than to take down his former team, where he won a Grey Cup as the signal caller in 2023.
LB – Nick Anderson
Nick Anderson has been an instrumental piece on the Elks' defence. If the Edmonton defence is clicking early, a player like Nick Anderson will be a big part of it. He is versatile in coverage for the running game, along with defending the passing game.
DL – Noah Taylor
Noah Taylor will be marked as much as possible by the Montreal offensive line. He is physical, agile, and keen on reading a play. He will be an impact player for Edmonton when applying pressure in the backfield.
Players to watch: Montreal Alouettes
QB – Davis Alexander
There is no secret when it comes to what Davis Alexander brings to the table. He is undefeated as a starting quarterback in the CFL in regular-season play. The only loss thus far came at the hands of Saskatchewan during the 2025 Grey Cup. He has great football IQ. If the Elks' defence cannot contain him as much as possible, good luck trying to get back the momentum. Once he gets hot, he is tough to stop.
WR – Tyson Philpot
He is making a strong case early in the 2026 season to be a Most Outstanding Player award candidate. His speed and route running are as textbook as it gets. Entering week 3, Tyson Philpot has already accumulated 16 receptions, 269 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns.
LB – Micah Awe
Sometimes, there is a player in pro football when trying to evade a defender is impossible. Micah Awe does not tackle you; he runs right through you. It's pretty clear right now that since entering the CFL with the BC Lions, the league has noticed that he is a game-changer.
LB / DB – Wesley Sutton
He is one of the cornerstones of the Montreal defence. He has a great vision for the open field. What Wesley Sutton does so well is read the play. He has played both linebacker and safety. He will make it difficult for the Edmonton passing game if he takes control of the defensive backfield.
Keys to an Edmonton victory:
Win the special team’s battle.
Anytime you can begin a possession with good field position, it will only benefit the offence. This will be a tough defence to play against. If Edmonton can throw a wrench into Montreal’s game plan, this will only benefit the Elks.
Run the ball.
Montreal is a tough team to play against. More importantly, they have been one of the most physical defences in the CFL. They might not have been a suffocating defence early in the season, but they are capable of halting an offence on many drives. The Elks' offensive line needs to stand tall in this game.
Defence needs to match the intensity.
A key area in this game will be the front seven of the Edmonton defence vs. the Montreal offensive line. The Elks’ front seven played an amazing game in week 1 in Ottawa, causing a lot of problems for Ottawa's offence. This is a better offensive line. With that said, they must crack the Montreal line on multiple occasions.
Do not shy away from field goals.
Sometimes you have to take what the defence gives you. If Edmonton is in mid to short range of the end zone, do not take too many chances in gambling on 3rd down. Take the field goals and do not let potential points get away from you.
Prediction
Final Score
Montreal Alouettes: 29
Edmonton Elks: 25
Expect a bruising football game here. There will be a lot of pressure on both sides against one another. Edmonton does put up a good fight. Unfortunately, the more experienced Montreal team will walk away with the victory.