Montreal Alouettes vs Toronto Argonauts Picks and Predictions for Friday October 23 2026
Montreal lost 16-12 in Saskatchewan last Saturday, and I doubt anybody in the Alouettes locker room lost much sleep over it. They already have first place in the East wrapped up. The important football starts in November. Toronto is in a similar spot, although losing 40-39 to Ottawa probably left a few Argonauts staring at the ceiling. Ottawa hadn’t won a game all year. That’s a tough one to explain.
The Alouettes visit BMO Field in Toronto on Friday, October 23, 2026. Kickoff is at 7:00 PM ET on TSN, RDS2, and CFL+. Toronto is favored by 1.5 points, with the total sitting at 55.5. This is one of those late-season games where I’d pay more attention to the starting lineup than the standings. Both teams have playoff games ahead, and neither needs to win Friday to improve its position. Get in on all the action with our free CFL picks.
Montreal Alouettes Have Bigger Games Ahead
Montreal is 13-4 and has already secured the Eastern Final at home. The Alouettes have been the class of the East for most of the season, but Saturday’s loss to Saskatchewan was a reminder that the final weeks of the schedule can get strange. Dustin Crum started at quarterback while Davis Alexander was held out. Montreal scored 12 points, and the Roughriders won on a touchdown in the closing seconds. I wouldn’t read too much into that result. Jason Maas was thinking about November, not trying to win a meaningless October game at any cost.
The Alouettes average 34.8 points and 423.9 yards per game. That’s a serious offense. They lead the league by converting 55.8% of their second downs, which explains why opponents have trouble getting them off the field. Defensively, Montreal allows 27.1 points and 365.8 yards a contest. The defense isn’t perfect, but it’s been good enough when the offense is scoring in the mid-30s. Friday is different, though. We may not see the usual offensive lineup for four quarters, and that makes those season averages less useful than they would be in September.
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Alexander has thrown for 5,257 yards and 35 touchdowns this season. Tyson Philpot has 1,809 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, making him one of the league’s most dangerous receivers. Those are the players Toronto would normally have to worry about for an entire evening. But Philpot was placed on the single-game injury list last week, and Montreal has already shown it’s willing to rest Alexander. Crum can move the offense, but there’s a difference between having a capable backup and having the quarterback who helped you win 13 games.
Toronto Argonauts Have A Week To Get Ready For The Playoffs
Toronto is 9-8 after losing 40-39 to Ottawa. That’s right, the Argonauts gave the REDBLACKS their first win of the season. Toronto had been in control of its playoff position for weeks and already knows it’ll host the Eastern Semi-Final on October 31. Still, nobody enjoys losing to a team that had dropped 16 straight. The Argonauts scored enough to win Friday. Their defense simply couldn’t finish the job.
Toronto averages 29.5 points and 406 yards per game. The Argonauts lead the CFL with 348.5 passing yards a contest, but they average only 73.9 on the ground. That tells you how they want to play. Throw it, throw it again, and hope the receivers keep making catches. Montreal can pressure quarterbacks, and the Alouettes have been more dependable defensively than Toronto. The Argonauts allow 29 points and 391.2 yards per game. Those aren’t terrible numbers, but they’re not what you want against Montreal’s passing attack.
Chad Kelly has thrown for 5,067 yards and 33 touchdowns. That’s a big season, and Toronto needs him healthy for next weekend. He was hurt during the loss to Ottawa, so I’d be surprised if the Argonauts took unnecessary chances with him Friday. Toronto has enough receiving talent to move the football, but the quarterback decision changes everything. A backup can make a few throws. Asking him to operate a passing offense built around Kelly for an entire game is something else.
Montreal Alouettes vs Toronto Argonauts Picks and Predictions
Montreal Alouettes +1.5 (-118)
I’ll take Montreal and the 1.5 points. Neither team needs this game, which makes it a difficult handicap. But I trust Montreal’s depth a little more, and the Alouettes have already shown they can play respectable defense with some offensive starters resting. Toronto just gave up 40 to Ottawa, and Kelly’s health is a legitimate concern. If both starting quarterbacks sit, I’d rather have Montreal’s coaching staff and defensive group. It’s not a bet I’d make without checking the final depth charts, but the Alouettes are my side.
Under 55.5 Points (-110)
I’m going under 55.5. These teams normally throw the ball all over the field, so I understand the temptation to take the over. But there’s no reason for either coach to expose an important starter to unnecessary punishment a week before the playoffs. Montreal managed 12 points with Crum starting last week, and Toronto could be careful with Kelly. A couple of defensive breakdowns can wreck an under in the CFL, where a game can change in three minutes. Still, I’m expecting more conservative play-calling and fewer explosive possessions than these teams usually produce. Montreal 27, Toronto 24.
Final Picks: Montreal Alouettes +1.5 (-118) and Under 55.5 Points (-110)
This preview was completed October 20, 2026. Starting quarterbacks, active rosters, betting lines, and game-day weather may change before kickoff.
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