Vernon Adams Jr. returns to the city where his CFL career began, and the Stampeders need him to be just as sharp as he was in a 58-point outburst last week.

Game Details

Odds

Spread: Montreal Alouettes -3
Moneyline: Calgary Stampeders +170, Montreal Alouettes -205
Over/Under: 62

Calgary sits at 2-1-1 against the spread this season with all four of its games going over the total. Montreal is 2-2 ATS but has also stayed over in every single game — bettors expecting fireworks in this one have history on their side.

Overview

The Stampeders head east looking for their third straight win, and they’re bringing an offense that’s suddenly humming. Calgary put up 99 points across its last two games — a 41-33 win at BC and last week’s 58-36 demolition of Toronto in the Stampede Bowl. Vernon Adams Jr. was nearly perfect against the Argos, completing 80 percent of his throws for 405 yards and six touchdowns, plus a rushing score for good measure. Adams now has 11 TD passes and zero interceptions through four games, and last week he passed Warren Moon, Peter Liske, Travis Lulay and Khari Jones on the CFL’s all-time passing list. Not bad for a guy who spent his first six CFL seasons wearing Montreal colors.

That history angle is impossible to ignore. Adams made his first 29 career starts with the Als, and Saturday marks a return trip to the stadium where it all started a decade ago. The Stampeders haven’t won in Montreal since October 2018 — a 12-6 slog with Bo Levi Mitchell under center — and that drought is very much on the radar this week.

The Alouettes come in off a bye after surviving Ottawa 37-35, with Davis Alexander tossing touchdowns and getting help from Tyson Philpot, Alexander Hollins, Travis Theis and backup QB Dustin Crum. Montreal’s defense has been stingy against the run, allowing a league-low 61 attempts on the ground all year — which sets up an interesting collision with a Calgary offense that leads the CFL at 119 rushing yards per game behind Dedrick Mills. This has the makings of a track meet, and with both teams unbeaten against the over this season, don’t expect a defensive struggle. Calgary’s got the hotter hand and a quarterback with a personal chip on his shoulder — give the edge to the Stamps to keep this thing rolling, even on the road.

Key Players

Vernon Adams Jr. (Calgary Stampeders, QB) — 1,127 passing yards, 11 TDs, zero picks, and coming off a seven-touchdown night that earned him Stampede Bowl MVP honors.
Dedrick Mills (Calgary Stampeders, RB) — Leads the CFL’s top rushing attack with 339 yards and needs just 66 more for 4,000 career rushing yards.
Davis Alexander (Montreal Alouettes, QB) — Tops the league with 1,478 passing yards and hasn’t thrown a single interception all season.
Tyson Philpot (Montreal Alouettes, WR) — 587 receiving yards and tied for the team lead with 3 TD catches; faces off against twin brother Jalen Philpot of Calgary in just the third pro meeting between the two.
Clarence Hicks (Calgary Stampeders, DL) — Needs one sack for 20 in his career and anchors a Calgary front that’s tied for second in the CFL with eight sacks from six different linemen.

Keys to the Game

Calgary’s offensive line needs to give Adams the same clean pockets that produced 405 yards and six scores against Toronto — Montreal’s pass rush led by Mustafa Johnson will test that.
Lean on Dedrick Mills and the run game early to keep Montreal’s defense honest, especially against a unit that’s faced the fewest rush attempts in the league.
Zy Alexander and the Calgary secondary need to force turnovers against a Davis Alexander offense that hasn’t thrown a pick all season — someone has to be first.

Injury Report

PlayerTeamStatus

Reggie Begelton (WR)Calgary StampedersOut
Jaydon Grant (DB)Calgary StampedersOut
Adrian Greene (DB)Calgary StampedersAvailable
Elijah Hills (DL)Calgary StampedersOut
Ashton Miller-Melancon (DB)Calgary StampedersQuestionable
Derrick Moncrief (DB)Calgary StampedersQuestionable
R.J. Moten (LB)Calgary StampedersAvailable
Rene Paredes (K)Calgary StampedersOut
Eric Rascoe (LB)Calgary StampedersAvailable
Kelon Thomas (DL)Calgary StampedersAvailable

Depth Chart

Calgary Stampeders starters by position, built from the official current-week depth chart. This is a projected look at the Stamps’ lineup and may shift as the week progresses.

PositionCalgary Stampeders

QBVernon Adams Jr. / Josh Love / Quincy Vaughn
RBDedrick Mills / Ludovick Choquette / Tyreik McAllister
WRTevin Jones / Clark Barnes
SBJalen Philpot / Dejon Brissett / Erik Brooks / Jesulayomi Ojutalayo
LTD’Antne Demery
LGZack Williams
CChris Fortin / Bryce Bell
RGChristy Nkanu
RTBakyne Coly
DE (Weak)Kelon Thomas / George Idoko / Clarence Hicks
DE (Strong)Tristan Marois / Shaun Peterson Jr. / Folarin Orimolade
DTMiles Brown / Charles Wiley / Jaylon Hutchings
WLBR.J. Moten / Kyle Wilson
MLBMicah Teitz / Marquel Lee
SAMEric Rascoe / Derrick Moncrief (GTD)
CB (Weak)Anthony Johnson
CB (Strong)Ben Labrosse / Adrian Greene
HB (Weak)Godfrey Onyeka / Zy Alexander
HB (Strong)Anton Haie / Benny Sapp III
SJackson Sombach / Damon Webb
KJude McAtamney
PMark Vassett
LSJason MacGougan

Score Prediction

Calgary Stampeders 30 – Montreal Alouettes 33. Both offenses have been lighting up the scoreboard all season, and with Calgary’s road struggles in Montreal dating back to 2018, expect the Als to find just enough in the fourth quarter to hold serve at home in a shootout that goes well over the total.

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Who takes this one? Drop your prediction in the comments.