The Ottawa Redblacks head into Montreal on Thursday, August 20, knowing they are facing the CFL’s most in-form team. The Alouettes have been dominant, while Ottawa is still searching for a result that can change the tone of its season.
The Week 12 game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. It is a clear East Division measuring stick for both clubs, but for very different reasons.
Why Montreal Enters as the Clear Favorite
Montreal has looked like the league’s standard setter through the first half of the schedule. The Alouettes have won eight of their first nine games and continue to sit near the top of the CFL conversation.
Their latest statement came in a 48-30 win over Edmonton, a result that showed how difficult they are to slow down when their offense is clicking. Davis Alexander has been central to that run, giving Montreal steady quarterback play and the ability to stretch defenses vertically and horizontally.
One of Alexander’s biggest weapons has been Tyson Philpot. The Canadian receiver entered Week 11 with more than 1,100 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, making him the type of playmaker Ottawa cannot afford to lose track of for long.
Montreal also has enough balance to punish defenses that overcommit to the pass. That makes the Alouettes difficult to game plan for, especially at home.
| Team | Current Form | Key Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Alouettes | 8 wins in 9 games | Efficient offense and home-field advantage |
| Ottawa Redblacks | Still winless entering Week 11 | Urgency and pressure to respond |
What Ottawa Must Do Differently
For Ottawa, this matchup is less about comfort and more about survival. The Redblacks have been competitive in stretches, but they have not turned those moments into wins.
The main issues have been easy to spot:
- Slow starts that put them behind early
- Defensive lapses that undo good possessions
- A rushing attack that has not produced enough consistency
- Too much pressure placed on Jake Maier through the air
Maier has carried most of the offensive load, which has forced Ottawa into a pass-heavy approach. That can work in bursts, but it also makes the attack easier to read when drives become one-dimensional.
Justin Hardy remains Ottawa’s most reliable target, and getting him involved early would help the Redblacks settle in. If Ottawa can stay on schedule and protect the football, it can at least make the game more competitive.
The First Meeting Sets the Tone
These teams already met once this season, and Montreal controlled that game from the start in a 27-12 win. Ottawa never found a steady offensive rhythm and spent much of the night trying to catch up.
That result points to the biggest problem in the rematch: Ottawa cannot allow another shaky opening quarter. If the Redblacks fall behind early again, Montreal has the firepower to keep extending the gap.
The path to an upset is clear, even if it is difficult. Ottawa needs pressure on Alexander, tighter coverage on the perimeter, and at least modest success on the ground to avoid becoming predictable.
Montreal has the stronger record, the sharper offense, and the better recent form. Ottawa, though, arrives with more urgency and little to lose, which can sometimes create pressure for the favorite.
If the Redblacks can finally combine a clean start with a more balanced offensive plan, they may force a closer finish than expected. If not, Montreal should remain firmly in control of the East.
