The Montreal Alouettes are set to face the Edmonton Elks in Week 2 of the CFL season. The Als are the defending Grey Cup champs and played like it last week with a victory in Winnipeg, and my Alouettes vs. Elks predictions for Week 2 are counting on them to keep rolling.
Here are my latest CFL picks for Friday, June 14.
Alouettes vs Elks prediction
My best bet
Alouettes -4.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The only reason I'd consider fading the Montreal Alouettes is because this could be a letdown spot after upsetting the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg last week. That said, they are the defending champs and have been terrific since the midway point of last season, going 9-0 straight up and 8-0-1 against the spread in their last nine games.
Meanwhile, the Elks are on a short week after losing 29-21 to the Roughriders last Saturday. They also generally don't benefit from home-field advantage, going just 2-25 SU and 5-22 ATS in their last 27 games at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Elks were second-last in the CFL in scoring defense (28.7 points per game allowed) last year and could be even worse this season after losing their two best defenders. This is a defense that has been swapping players in and out of the lineup during head coach Chris Jones' tenure, and that lack of experience and chemistry hurts.
While Edmonton's offense should be improved with McLeod Bethel-Thompson under center, it will have a tough time cracking a Montreal stop unit that has allowed just 15.8 ppg over its last 10 contests.
This is an opportunistic Alouettes defense that does an excellent job of forcing turnovers, and the Elks shot themselves in the foot with three giveaways last week. The Alouettes destroyed the Elks in Edmonton last October, and if the home side can't take care of the ball, the Als will roll again.
Alouettes vs Elks same-game parlay (SGP)
Alouettes -4.5
Caleb Evans anytime touchdown
Tyson Philpot Over 67.5 receiving yards
Als quarterback Cody Fajardo had seven carries for 23 yards last week, but given his importance to the team, they shouldn't use him in short-yardage situations. Thankfully, they have one of the best goal-line QBs in Caleb Evans.
Evans rushed for 16 touchdowns for a terrible Redblacks offense two years ago and added eight scores on the ground last year. He also picked up a touchdown last week, and considering Edmonton's porous defense, I expect him to punch a score in on Friday.
Philpot was expected to be Montreal's breakout star this year and he looked the part in Week 1, hauling in 10 of 11 targets for 141 yards. With veteran wideout Reggie White Jr. still recovering from knee surgery and slotback Tyler Snead joining him on the sidelines with an ankle injury last week, there should be plenty of targets coming Philpot's way.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Alouettes vs Elks odds
Alouettes vs Elks live odds
Alouettes vs Elks opening odds
- Spread: Montreal -6 (-110) | Edmonton +6 (-110)
- Moneyline: Montreal -260 | Edmonton +210
- Over/Under: Over 48 (-110) | Under 48 (-110
Alouettes vs Elks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Early money has come in on the Elks, slimming their line from +6 to +4.5 as of Wednesday.
- The Alouettes have the second-best Grey Cup odds (+350 at bet365), while the Elks have the worst at +1,800.
- The Als have gone 3-0 SU and ATS in their last three trips to Edmonton.
- The Als lost key coverage linebacker Reggie Stubblefield to a season-ending injury last week.
Alouettes vs Elks trend
The Alouettes are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 games against teams with a losing record, while the Elks are 0-4 ATS in their last four contests against opponents with a winning record. Find more CFL betting trends for Alouettes vs. Elks.
Alouettes vs Elks game info
| Location: | Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Friday, 6-14-2024 |
| Kick-off: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Alouettes vs Elks key injuries
Alouettes: Reggie Stubblefield DB (Out), Tyrell Richards LB (Out), Tyler Snead SB (Out), Wes Sutton DB (Out), Reggie White Jr. WR (Out).
Elks: Brett Boyko OL (Questionable), Kyran Moore WR (Out), J-Min Pelley DT (Out).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
Alouettes vs Elks weather
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