The Edmonton Elks are playing with confidence during the last four weeks of their respective schedule, going 2-2 in this stretch. The two losses were close games that could have been transformed into wins. Mental breakdowns at the wrong time seized that opportunity and resulted in losses. With Edmonton currently on a 2-game winning streak, their play on the field is something that has not been seen this season. There is still a lot of work to do for the Elks as we inch closer to Labour Day. The Elks will now travel to the Nation’s Capital and collide with the Ottawa Redblacks in a game that both teams need to improve their team records for a possible playoff spot.
Game Details
Date: Friday, August 22nd, 2025
Location: TD Place Stadium / Ottawa, Ontario
Kickoff time: 7:30 PM EST
Channel: TSN / RDS
Stream: CFL +
Weather forecast at kickoff: 18 °C. It will feel like 18 °C. Partly cloudy in the evening, becoming mainly clear overnight.
Wind gust: 14 kilometres per hour in a south-west direction.
Percentage of precipitation: 20%
Odds
Spread: Edmonton Elks (-3.0) -118 / Ottawa Redblacks (+3.0) -104
Moneyline: Edmonton Elks – 170 / Ottawa Redblacks + 140
Over / Under: Over 53.5 (-110) / Under 53.5 (-110)
Via FanDuel Sportsbook
Edmonton Elks Depth Chart
Ottawa Redblacks Depth Chart
Edmonton Elks Injury Report
The lone player that will be out for the Elks in week 12 will be WR Kearis Jackson (Non-Football Related).
Ottawa Redblacks Injury Report
The Ottawa roster has been decimated with injuries for week 12. They will be without the following list of players that are deemed to be out in week 12: QB Dru Brown (Knee), RB/RK DaVonte Dedmon (Ankle), OL Bralon Addison (Ribs), OL Eric Starczala (Head), DL Chase Mc Gowan (Groin), LB Lucas Cormier (Quad), LB Les Mauro (Knee), LB Davion Taylor (Hamstring), DB Charlie Ringland (Hamstring), DB Bennett Williams (Hamstring), DB Justin Howell (Hamstring), DB Adrian Frye (Shoulder), and DB Robert Priester (Head).
Players to watch: Edmonton Elks
QB – Cody Fajardo
Let’s say that having Cody Fajardo this season has been a saviour in the locker room. Edmonton was looking for another veteran during the offseason and obtained a player who can lead Edmonton during moments like this. His 7 touchdown passes to only 2 interceptions have created a spark the team needed, along with his 1,272 passing yards in four games played.
RB – Justin Rankin
He is simply the engine that operates the Edmonton offence. Justin Rankin is in the conversation for the Most Outstanding Player Award. His energy rubs off on fellow teammates when Justin Rankin runs for hard-earned yards. Ottawa’s defence must be ready. He is a player who, as the game goes on, can control the clock on his own and chew up valuable minutes in favour of Edmonton.
LB – Nyles Morgan
He has been Mr. Consistent since joining the Elks. The product of the University of Notre Dame covers a lot of ground in both the pass and the rush. Expect Nyles Morgan to have a big game vs. Ottawa. In 9 games this season, he has 47 tackles. He will most likely end the season for a third season in a row with triple digits in tackles, as he did in 2023 (107 tackles), and his personal best with 111 tackles in 2024.
Players to watch: Ottawa Redblacks
WR – Eugene Lewis
This will be a revenge game for Geno Lewis. He will break the 1,000-yard plateau this season. He is currently 6th in the CFL in receiving yards with 668 yards. He also had 4 touchdowns. More importantly, Geno Lewis has 14.5 receiving yards per catch. Edmonton will have to play Geno Lewis as tight as possible. He is one of the best at creating separation to help out his quarterback. If Geno Lewis gets hot, it could be a long day for the Elks.
RB – William Stanback
What you get in William Stanback is consistency. Whether he was in a Montreal uniform or a BC uniform, Ottawa knows that he is a valuable piece to the offence. Expect Ottawa to lean on William Stanback for extending drives.
QB – Dustin Crum
Ottawa is a different team when QB1 Dru Brown is not present. Dustin Crum might not be in the conversation amongst the CFL elite in the quarterback department. And that's fine. He still brings a dynamic when he is on his game. He has two and a half years of experience in the CFL. His strength is in his legs. He can run for long yards and wear down a defence. So far, he has made a living doing this in Ottawa. He still needs work on his passing game, as he throws the ball in dangerous areas of the field. Edmonton must make it a difficult night for Dustin Crum.
Keys to an Edmonton Victory:
Winning is fun.
When winning occurs, you play a different way. Your players feel the confidence. Players feel looser and are not playing a game of desperation. Keep the same mentality because winning is fun.
Dominate the special teams.
Edmonton has done an incredible job isolating the kickoff and punt returners they have faced in the last month. That game in Montreal was a testament to that. The coverage team unloaded on Montreal with big hits that switched the momentum of the game.
Do not get complacent.
Just because Ottawa is limping into week 12, do not sit back. Edmonton mustn't take this game for granted against Ottawa. They still have enough weapons that can change the outcome of this game.
Keep running the ball.
Edmonton has to have a balanced offence in this game. Justin Rankin, if needed, can carry the offence in critical times. Do not abandon the running game in its entirety if Justin Rankin and Javon Leake are having a bad game. It's important to reestablish the running game to make it disruptive for Ottawa.
Prediction
Both Ottawa and Edmonton are relying on a big win to keep within reach of their respective divisions. With that said, Ottawa is experiencing a depleted lineup, and it feels that the task at hand is too much to overcome. On the flip side, this was the norm in Edmonton during the 2021 and 2021 seasons. Edmonton had an extensive injury report for the majority of the seasons.
Final score:
Edmonton Elks: 32
Ottawa Redblacks: 22
Edmonton enters Ottawa and walks away with a victory. Expect the Edmonton running game to eclipse the 100-yard mark or more with both Javon Leake and Justin Rankin running as locomotives. Cody Fajardo will display his smart play and control the clock more than Dustin Crum.
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