The defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders have lost four straight games and badly need a victory entering a rematch with the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday afternoon in Regina, Sask.
The Roughriders (8-8) were routed 44-24 at Montreal on Monday and are one of three teams battling for the final two CFL playoff spots.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-8) and Calgary Stampeders (8-9) are also in the mix. Winnipeg holds the tiebreaker advantage over both teams and Calgary has the edge over Saskatchewan.
Montreal scored 24 consecutive second-half points Monday to turn a one-point game into a blowout.
“We’ve got two games left and everything is in our control,” Roughriders defensive back Marcus Sayles said. “We’re still exactly where we need to be. We’ve just got to figure out how to finish these games.”
Saskatchewan will look for a more complete showing against Montreal (13-3), which previously clinched the East Division.
“We understand the situation that we’re in,” Roughriders coach Corey Mace said. “We knew it was going to be a challenge. We played a really good team and that was something I honestly felt the guys were ready for.”
Saskatchewan defeated Montreal in last season’s Grey Cup.
Alouettes coach Jason Maas said the team will rest some players for the rematch.
Davis Alexander, a leading MVP candidate, was listed as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart Montreal released Friday. Dustin Crum will start and Caleb Evans will be the backup.
Alexander threw a career-best five touchdown passes on Monday when he completed 26 of 33 passes for 403 yards and one interception.
“I always want to play, for sure,” Alexander said earlier this week. “But again, that’s totally out of my control. Whatever they decide is what we’re going to roll with.”
The 400-yard outing was his second in a row and fifth of the season. Alexander leads the CFL with 5,257 passing yards, is tied for the lead with 35 touchdown passes and has thrown just four interceptions.
Crum has completed 10 of 13 passes this season and rushed for five touchdowns. He previously started 20 games for the Ottawa Redblacks — 14 in 2023 and six in 2025. He has a 5-15 record as a starter.
“I just stay ready and am preparing the way I always would,” Crum said. “Just taking it a day at a time like I should as the backup quarterback.”
Montreal receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead will both sit out with shoulder injuries. Philpot leads the CFL in receptions (124) and receiving yardage (1,809) and is tied with Snead for the league lead with 13 scoring receptions.
Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris completed 23 of 33 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on Monday. He is second in passing yards with 5,117 and fourth with 31 touchdowns. He has been intercepted 14 times.
–Field Level Media
