MONTREAL — With top spot in the East Division already secured, the Montreal Alouettes plan to keep the intensity level high as they tune up for the playoffs on Monday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Montreal (12-3) can improve to a perfect 9-0 at home with a victory over Saskatchewan (8-7), a feat accomplished just twice before in franchise history (1954 and 2009) and eight times in the history of the CFL. “It’s definitely an honour and a privilege,” said Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander. “The important part is just finding a way to get a win, having our fans enjoy the game and getting ready for the playoffs.” Alouettes head coach Jason Maas attributes the team’s success at Percival Molson Stadium to Montreal’s passionate fanbase. The Thanksgiving Day game is expected to be a sellout. “It’s a big shout-out to our fans because I think they make it extremely hard and difficult for opposing teams to come in here and play,” said Maas. “I think it’s a huge home-field advantage for us. We’ve taken advantage, obviously, this year. Our guys love playing in our stadium.” The Alouettes will host the Eastern Final on Nov. 7. They secured the division’s first seed last week with a 37-10 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Montreal has been in this situation before in recent years. The Alouettes clinched top spot with three games left to play in 2024, but dropped three of their next four games, including an East final loss to the visiting Toronto Argonauts. “Quite a few of us were part of that 2024 team so obviously finishing strong down the stretch is important,” said Maas. “Staying healthy is important as well. Ultimately, it’s about competing every single day, staying focused on the day-to-day tasks and not thinking too far ahead.” The Roughriders, meanwhile, are looking to end a three-game losing streak and stay afloat in a competitive West Division race. Saskatchewan is tied with the Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders with 16 points, but the Roughriders have a game in hand on Winnipeg and two on Calgary. Both Winnipeg and Calgary, however, hold the tiebreaker over the Roughriders by virtue of their respective season series. “I know perhaps the implications may not be ‘win and you’re in’ this week, but we control the narrative,” Roughriders head coach Corey Mace told reporters this week in Saskatchewan. “You’ve got three games left in the season. If you win each one, you’re putting yourself in good (position). “Right now, we’re focused obviously on the task at hand out there on Thanksgiving Day against a good opponent.” Saskatchewan will have to contain the explosive duo of Alexander and star receiver Tyson Philpot if they hope to win their first road game since Aug. 1. Alexander is just 146 yards shy of 5,000 passing yards on the season, while Philpot leads the CFL with 1,735 receiving yards and 119 receptions. “Philpot is a great deep threat,” said Saskatchewan cornerback Tevaughn Campbell, who is returning to the lineup after missing eight games with a forearm injury. “He has great ball judgment. He goes up and gets it. You’ve just got to limit that.” While Campbell will be making his return, the Roughriders will be without top receiver KeeSean Johnson due to an ankle injury. He’s fourth in the CFL in receiving yards (1,243) and second in receptions (101). The game also marks the first meeting between the two teams since Saskatchewan defeated Montreal 25-17 in last November’s Grey Cup. Maas acknowledged the lingering disappointment of that loss but said his team is focused on the present rather than revenge. “We talk about faceless opponents so we could care less who we’re playing, but any athlete will tell you they look for added motivation,” said Maas. “I know last November it sure didn’t feel great leaving that stadium at the end of the year. “It’s just unfortunate it took 11 months to get an opportunity to play them again, but we’re looking forward to playing them on Thanksgiving in front of our home crowd and playing Alouette football.” The two clubs will meet again Saturday in Regina to complete the home-and-home series. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2026. Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press
