Elks seek first home win since 2019

Home field has been anything but an advantage for the Edmonton Elks.

Edmonton (4-10) has dropped a CFL record-tying 14 straight games at Commonwealth Stadium. And, with the Elks’ faint playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they’ll host the Montreal Alouettes (6-7) on Saturday night.

The combination of an Edmonton loss and Saskatchewan win over Winnipeg on Friday night would eliminate the Elks from playoff contention.

Edmonton is 0-6 at home this season, having been outscored 214-101. Five of those losses have come against West Division rivals (twice to Calgary and Saskatchewan, once to Winnipeg).

Edmonton’s lone home loss to an East team was 25-18 to the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 27. Overall, Edmonton is 3-1 versus East clubs, all of those victories coming on the road.

Edmonton’s last home win was a 19-6 decision over the B.C. Lions on Oct. 12, 2019.

Former Elks starter Trevor Harris returns with Montreal. And the contest is an important one for the Alouettes, who’re currently second in the East Division four points ahead of third-place Hamilton (410) and six in front of last-place Ottawa (3-10). Toronto (8-5) remains first in the conference.

The Elks are coming off a 26-24 road win over Saskatchewan on Sept. 16, a game that saw them roll up 439 yards of total offence. That included 202 yards rushing on 22 carries (9.2-yard average), with Kevin Brown accounting for 109 yards on 13 attempts.

Quarterback Taylor Cornelius threw for 237 yards and a touchdown while also running for 93 yards and a TD on eight carries.

Montreal has won two straight and four of its past five games. The Alouettes are 3-4 versus West Division rivals and 2-4 on the road.

Edmonton won the first meeting 32-31 at Molson Stadium on July 14, rallying from a 13-point deficit. Pick Edmonton

Saskatchewan Roughriders versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Friday night)

At Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers (12-2) come off the bye in position to clinch a home playoff game with a win. They could also do so with a Calgary loss to Toronto on Saturday. The defending Grey Cup champions are 7-0 within the West Division and 2-0 versus Saskatchewan (6-8) this season. But, to be fair, their 54-20 victory Sept. 10 came with a number of Riders suffering from the stomach flu. And, while the West Division’s fourth-place team sports a 3-3 road record, it has dropped three straight contests and is 3-5 within its conference. Pick Winnipeg

Ottawa Redblacks versus B.C. Lions (Friday night)

At Vancouver, the Lions (9-4) have clinched a CFL playoff spot and remain in the hunt for a home postseason contest but will be without all-star receiver Bryan Burnham (wrist). They’re coming off a 25-11 home loss to Calgary as Vernon Adams Jr. was 12-of-24 passing for 151 yards. B.C. is 4-3 at home but 3-1 versus the East Division. Ottawa (310) has dropped two straight and last won at B.C. Place Stadium in 2017. Pick B.C.

Edmonton has dropped a CFL record-tying 14 straight games at Commonwealth Stadium. And with the Elks’ faint playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they’ll host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday night

Toronto Argonauts versus Calgary Stampeders (Saturday night)

At Calgary, Jake Maier makes his first start after signing an extension with the Stampeders (9-5). He’s 3-2 since becoming the starter and was 27-of-33 passing for 294 yards last week against B.C. CFL rushing leader Ka’Deem Carey ran for 84 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. The home team is 4-0 against East clubs this year. Toronto has clinched a home playoff game but is still looking to finish atop the East Division for a second straight season. The Argos are 4-2 on the road but 2-3 versus the West.

Pick Calgary Last week 1-2 CP’s overall record 44-17