The Ottawa Redblacks enter Thursday’s trip to Montreal with little margin for error. The Alouettes have been the East’s pace-setter, and this matchup gives Ottawa a chance to measure itself against the CFL’s current standard.
The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on August 20 at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. It is a meeting between teams headed in opposite directions, with Montreal pushing for control of the division and Ottawa trying to stop a difficult season from sliding further.
Montreal Has Looked Like the League’s Top Team
Montreal’s early-season record has been the clearest sign of its strength. Winning eight of nine games has put the Alouettes in first place and made them one of the most complete teams in the league.
Their most recent statement came in a 48-30 win over Edmonton. That result mattered because it came against one of the West’s stronger clubs and showed that Montreal can score in bunches while still keeping command of the game.
Davis Alexander has driven much of that success. His passing has been sharp, his decision-making steady, and his ability to extend plays has given Montreal an offense that can punish mistakes quickly.
One of his best targets has been Tyson Philpot, who has already topped 1,100 receiving yards and reached seven touchdowns by Week 11. That connection gives Montreal a reliable big-play threat that Ottawa will have to account for from the opening series.
The Alouettes are not one-dimensional either. Their running game gives them another way to move the ball and helps keep defenses from focusing only on the passing attack.
Ottawa Needs a Clean, Disciplined Road Game
Ottawa enters the week still looking for its first win of the season. That reality creates pressure, but it also gives the Redblacks a clear target: play cleanly enough to stay competitive and turn one strong performance into momentum.
The problem so far has been a familiar one. Slow starts have put Ottawa behind early, defensive lapses have widened the gap, and the rushing attack has not been dependable enough to ease the load on the offense.
Jake Maier has been asked to carry a heavy share of the passing game. Ottawa has relied far more on throws than on runs, which has made the offense easier to predict and harder to sustain over four quarters.
Justin Hardy remains one of the team’s most trusted options. If Ottawa can get him involved early, it may help the Redblacks build rhythm and avoid long stretches where Montreal controls the ball and the tempo.
In a game like this, turnovers can decide everything. If Ottawa gives Montreal short fields or extra possessions, the task becomes much steeper very quickly.
What Ottawa Must Do to Keep the Game Close
- Start faster and avoid an early deficit that lets Montreal settle in.
- Apply pressure on Alexander so he cannot operate comfortably from the pocket.
- Find even modest balance in the run game to make the offense less predictable.
- Protect the ball and limit mistakes that would fuel Montreal’s scoring chances.
The Redblacks already saw what happens when those details are missing. Montreal won the first meeting 27-12, taking control early and never allowing Ottawa to find a stable offensive rhythm.
That earlier result gives Ottawa a practical blueprint. The Redblacks do not need a perfect game, but they do need one that forces Montreal into uncomfortable situations instead of allowing the Alouettes to dictate every phase.
Montreal remains the favorite for good reason. Still, Ottawa arrives with urgency, and that can matter in division games where familiarity often narrows the gap.
For Ottawa, an upset would do more than add one win. It would also restore confidence and provide a needed lift as the team tries to salvage the rest of its season.
For Montreal, the objective is simpler: protect home field, avoid a letdown, and keep its position at the top of the East.
