Toronto @ Montreal preview

Toronto at Montreal

Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2019 ) Montreal 28, Toronto 22

The Montreal Alouettes look to get back on track when they host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday. The Alouettes have dropped two of their last three games, including a 35-24 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 18, to see their hopes of winning their first East Division title since 2012 evaporate, but are still assured of hosting a postseason game, and aim to regain some momentum going into the playoffs by sweeping the season series with the Argonauts.

"It starts with me and I'm going to be better," Montreal quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. told reporters. "It starts at the quarterback position." Toronto, which was eliminated from postseason contention following a 41-16 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 16, salvaged a modicum of pride with a 28-21 win against the Ottawa Redblacks. The Argonauts fired general manager Jim Popp after a disappointing 55-8 loss to the BC Lions on Oct. 5 and the team responded with their highest scoring output in more than a month and hope for a strong finish by notching back-to-back wins for the first time this season. "There's a lot to get better at but it's always good to get a win," Toronto quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson told reporters. "Winning is the best deodorant."

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

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-12): Bethel-Thompson completed 27-of-36 passes for 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Ottawa in his first start since Aug. 2. S.J. Green was named one of the CFL's Top Performers of the Week after hauling in 10 passes for 170 yards versus the Redblacks to become the 18th player in CFL history to surpass 10,000 receiving yards with 10,080, which moved him into 16th place on the league's all-time list. Toronto signed defensive backs Shaq Richardson, who registered 60 tackles in 27 games with the Calgary Stampeders, and Jalin Burrell to the practice squad.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (8-7): Adams went 19-of-32 with two touchdowns but threw a season-high four interceptions, including one that was returned for a score, against Winnipeg. Jake Wieneke and Quan Bray each caught a touchdown pass against the Blue Bombers and Mario Alford returned a punt 90 yards for his second special teams score in as many games. Running back William Stanback, who is 46 yards shy of recording his his 1,000-yard rushing season, is likely to return to the fold after a one-game stint on the injured list while Montreal added defensive back Jermaine Ponder to the practice squad.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Adams has accounted for 12 total touchdowns in his last five games.

2. Bethel-Thompson leads the CFL in touchdown passes (22).

3. Montreal has won three consecutive home games.

PREDICTION: Alouettes 37, Argonauts 28