BC @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2018 ) Montreal 10, BC 22

The BC Lions look to notch back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they visit the Montreal Alouettes on Friday. The Lions scored 17 points off turnovers and recorded six sacks en route to a 26-14 win against the Ottawa Redblacks in Week 13 and aim to keep their playoff hopes alive by beating the Alouettes for the seventh consecutive time.

"I think all the next eight games are must-wins," BC head coach Wally Buono admitted to reporters. "We're still the fifth-place team in the West and all the games are going to be tough so when you put yourself up against a wall then they're all must-wins." The Alouettes are growing in confidence following two straight wins and hope their bye week doesn't rob them of their momentum as they search for their first playoff berth in four years. The Alouettes edged Toronto 25-22 before beating the East Division-leading Redblacks 21-11 on Aug. 31 to move into a third-place tie with the Argonauts and look to continue their upward trajectory by taking down the Lions for the first time since Aug. 20, 2015. "We have to keep this streak going," Montreal wide receiver B.J. Cunningham told reporters. "This season can definitely be salvaged."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE LIONS (4-6): Travis Lulay completed 9-of-15 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown before suffering a concussion in the second quarter of the win against Ottawa, but took reps with the first team offence during practice and is expected to play on Friday. BC officially signed wide receiver DeVier Posey, who was the MVP of the 2017 Grey Cup, after the former Ohio State Buckeyes star was released by the Baltimore Ravens. Centre Cody Husband was put on the six-game injured list after he was carted off the field with a leg issue against the Redblacks and will likely be replaced by rookie Peter Godber, who was the third overall selection in the 2018 CFL Draft.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (3-8): Antonio Pipkin will make his fourth straight start after he accounted for 317 yards of total offence and a rushing touchdown in the win against Ottawa while Johnny Manziel, who just came out of the concussion protocol, missed the last two days of practice due to the stomach flu. Linebacker Chris Ackie was a late scratch with a strained hamstring against the Redblacks, but took part in practice and is expected to play on Friday while running back William Stanback returned to the fold after sitting out last week with a pulled muscle. Montreal re-signed wide receiver T.J. Graham to the practice squad after he was released earlier in the season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Montreal hasn't won three straight games since 2016.

2. The Lions are 0-5 on the road this season.

3. Pipkin has four rushing touchdowns in his last three games.

PREDICTION: Alouettes 24, Lions 21