Edmonton @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 9, 2017 ) Edmonton 42, Montreal 24

The Johnny Manziel era in Montreal is set to begin when the Alouettes host the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday. Manziel was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday and could be thrust into a starting role right away as Montreal hopes the former Heisman Trophy winner can breathe life into a moribund offence, which is averaging a league-low 13.8 points.

The Alouettes have dropped two straight games, including a 25-8 loss to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 5, and look to turn their fortunes around with the addition of Manziel, who will reunite with coach Mike Sherman after they spent a year together at Texas A&M in 2011. The Eskimos hope to stay within striking distance of the first-place Calgary Stampeders after falling four points off the pace during their week off. Edmonton salvaged a split in the home-and-home set against the Toronto Argonauts with a 16-15 victory July 13 and hope to notch back-to-back victories for the first time this season while knocking off the Alouettes for the ninth consecutive time in the process. "Our job is to go into Montreal and get a victory and that's where our main focus is," Edmonton coach Jason Maas told reporters. "Our focus is just on beating Montreal and wherever that puts us in the standings it puts us."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN Plus

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (3-2): Running back C.J. Gable returned to practice for the first time since he was knocked unconscious late in the fourth quarter against Toronto and could be medically cleared in time to play Thursday. D'haquille 'Duke' Williams continued his scorching start to the season as he hauled in nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in the win against the Argonauts to record his fourth consecutive 100-yard receiving game. Edmonton dropped Terrell Owens from their negotiation list after the former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver, who is set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August, activated a clause which gave the Eskimos 10 days to offer him a contract or give up his rights.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (1-4): Manziel, who did not take a regular-season snap with the Tiger-Cats, was acquired along with offensive linemen Tony Washington and London Rice in exchange for wide receiver Chris Williams, defensive end Jamaal Westerman and two future first round picks in 2020 and 2021. "We don't believe in the status quo and felt we needed to shake things up," Sherman told reporters. "Johnny is someone we believe can elevate one of the most important positions on the team." Matthew Shiltz, who went 16-of-25 through the air with a touchdown and two interceptions in a relief role against Calgary, is expected to start at quarterback if Manziel needs another week of preparation as Jeff Mathews (foot) and Drew Willy (hand) are unavailable because of injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Eskimos have won the last four meetings in Montreal.

2. The Alouettes have been held to fewer than 20 points in 12 of their last 14 games.

3. Edmonton QB Mike Reilly leads the CFL in passing yards (1,648).

PREDICTION: Eskimos 27, Alouettes 20