Austin Mack is back in Montreal and will start on Sunday along with Cody Fajardo is back under center after a hamstring injury took him out of the game early in Montreal’s week 6 18-37 loss to Toronto. The Alouettes sit atop the CFL standings with a dominant 9-1 record. The reigning Grey Cup Champions will host the Edmonton Elks on Sunday night who are riding a 3-game win streak after opening their season with a 7-game losing streak.

CFL Power Rankings Week 11

Predictions: CFL News Hub Writers’ Week 12 Picks

Game Details:

Date/Location: Sunday, August 25 /Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, QC

Kickoff Time: 7:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM MT

Channel: TSN (Canada), CBS Sports (USA), CFL+ (Global)

Odds: 

Spread: Montreal -7.5 (-102), Edmonton +7.5 (-120)

Moneyline: Montreal -335, Edmonton +265

Over/Under: 51.5 (Over -110, Under -110)

If you do place bets please do so responsibly and if you may have a gambling problem please seek help.

Montreal Alouettes: The Montreal Alouettes have won their last 4 games which saw Davis Alexander get the start over that stretch with Cody Fajardo out of the game. The Alouettes are coming off a 27-24 win on the road over the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week, which saw Alexander score a 15-yard touchdown to take the lead in the final minute. Both Charleston Rambo and Cole Spieker broke 90 yards receiving last week as Davis Alexander completed 22 of his 33 passes. Now this week Cody Fajardo will be back starting at quarterback. It was a rare game in which Montreal allowed over 300 yards passing from their opponent and 2 touchdowns in the win last week but found a way to win a close game on the road.

Edmonton Elks: The Edmonton Elks are coming off a 47-22 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on the road. McLeod Bethel-Thompson got the start last week with Tre Ford injured. MBT completed 15 of his 23 passes for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns. MBT will again get the start at quarterback on Sunday. Eugene Lewis led the team in receiving as he caught 5 passes for 93 yards. Justin Rankin had a game to remember on the ground last week as he rushed 17 times for 108 yards (6.4 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns.

Alouettes Keys to the Game

Get Pressure on MBT

Last week Montreal saw Trevor Harris throw for over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was not pressured very often. This week Montreal will want to ensure more often in this game. Antonio Moultrie will be getting the start at defensive end in this contest after being listed as a 2nd string defensive tackle last week.

Limit Edmonton’s Run Game

Last week Justin Rakin averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Montreal will greatly increase their likelihood of winning if this is limited. Look to Derek Wiggan and Mustafa Johnson to stop it at the line and Tyrice Beverette and Darnell Sankey to close in from the 2nd level.

Get the Run Game Going

Last week Walter Fletcher was limited to just 14 yards on 6 carries. Montreal will need much more of a run game to have a balanced offense than what was on display last week. In addition with Fajardo returning from injury providing him with run support will ease his transition back into the lineup.

Strong Pass Protection

Strong pass protection will be beneficial for Fajardo to get back into his rhythm.

5 Alouettes to Watch

#81 WR Austin Mack

Mack is back after signing with Montreal earlier in the week. Last year he caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards and 4 touchdowns in the regular season and added 13 receptions for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns in the postseason.

#31 SLB Titus Wall

Wall will be starting at Sam linebacker as Cosby moves to halfback. Wall has 17 tackles on the season. He played very well in that spot with Calgary last season.

#30 HB Bryce Cosby

Cosby will start at halfback after starting at SLB last week. He has 42 tackles, a sack, and an interception this season.

#1 LB Darnell Sankey

Sankey was a presence once again last week in run defense. He made 6 tackles in the game including 2 solo run stops. He also had 2 shared run stops. Sankey has 55 tackles, a sack, an interception, and 3 forced fumbles.

#48 CB Kabion Ento

Despite Trevor Harris completing 31 passes for 355 yards last week, only 3 completions went Ento’s way which accounted for 24 yards. Ento has 24 tackles and 2 interceptions this season.

5 Elks to Watch

#87 WR Eugene Lewis

Lewis leads the team in receiving having caught 36 passes for 498 yards and 2 touchdowns.

#84 WR Tevin Jones

Jones signed with Montreal this past offseason but was cut prior to the regular season. He has a chance to show Montreal what they missed out on by releasing him. Last year he caught 65 passes for 882 yards and 3 touchdowns over 17 games with Saskatchewan.

#48 LB Nick Anderson

At weakside linebacker, Anderson has accumulated 58 tackles, a sack, and 2 forced fumbles.

#45 LB Nyles Morgan

Morgan leads the team in tackles with 71 and also has a sack and a forced fumble.

#4 DT 92 Noah Curtis

Curtis is tied for second in sacks in the league with 5 and also has 14 tackles.

Injury Report:

Depth Charts:

Score Prediction:

Despite winning last week I expect Montreal will be coming into this contest looking to bounce back from a game in which they might have felt that they could have been better in. I predict Montreal to win 30-20.

@JonathanClink on Twitter