Ottawa @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2019 ) Montreal 36, Ottawa 19

The Montreal Alouettes look to continue their upward trajectory when they host the Ottawa Redblacks in an East Division clash Friday. The Alouettes bounced back from an 0-2 start with three consecutive victories, including an impressive 20-10 triumph against the Edmonton Eskimos in Week 6 before having a week off, and hope to stay hot by registering their first four-game winning streak since 2014.

"I think we are for real right now," Montreal coach Khari Jones told reporters. "I think we have a special group and I want to make sure we're doing right by them and giving them everything they need to be successful." The Redblacks continue to be their own worst enemy as their slide reached four games following a 17-16 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 7. Ottawa coach Rick Campbell's decision to take a safety instead of punting while up by four points with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter backfired as it left the Stampeders needing a field goal instead of a touchdown to win the game and Rene Paredes duly split the uprights as time expired to hand the Redblacks another defeat. "Looking back I should have trusted my gut and punted," Campbell told reporters. "I'd punt and make them have to score a touchdown."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, RDS, TSN

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (2-4): Jonathon Jennings was limited to 125 yards passing with a touchdown and a pair of interceptions in the loss to Calgary and will take a backseat to Dominique Davis, who is set to return to the starting lineup after missing the previous two games with a leg injury. Kicker Lewis Ward continues to be a model of consistency as he went 3-for-3 against the Stampeders to extend his streak of consecutive field goals to 64 in a row. Ottawa could receive a big boost with the news that slotback R.J. Harris, who leads the team with 309 receiving yards, might return to the fold after missing the last two games with an undisclosed injury.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (3-2): Vernon Adams Jr. was 15-of-22 for 191 yards and a touchdown while running back Jeremiah Johnson, who spent the previous three years with the BC Lions, accounted for 82 total yards in his season debut to help Montreal end an 11-game losing streak to Edmonton. Wide receiver B.J. Cunningham, who has caught 23 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown this season, returned to practice after missing one game with a knee issue and is likely to play Friday. Offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone was placed on the six-game injured list after hurting his knee and will be replaced by nine-year veteran Spencer Wilson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Alouettes beat the Redblacks 36-19 in their previous meeting July 13.

2. Ottawa has been held to 12.5 points per game during its skid.

3. Montreal RB William Stanback leads the league in rushing yards (504).

PREDICTION: Redblacks 21, Alouettes 20