Preview: Alouettes begin home-and-home series with Stamps
The Montreal Alouettes (3-1-0) will get to know the Calgary Stampeders (2-2-0) very well over the next two weeks, as the teams will begin a home-and-home series starting in Montreal on Saturday night at 7 p.m. ET.
The Alouettes are coming off their first bye week of the season while the Stamps are coming off back-to-back wins over B.C. and Toronto.
Explosive offences
These are two of the more explosive offences in the league, as the Stampeders are first in points scored (164) heading into Week 6 while the Alouettes are third (133). The Als are also second in net offence (457 yards per game), second in first downs (101), second in offensive yards per play (7.71) and second in 30-plus yard completions (11).
The Stampeders are coming off back-to-back 40-plus point performances including a 58-point output in a win over the Argos last week.
Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander enters Week 6 as the second leading passer in the CFL (six yards behind Toronto’s Chad Kelly). Alexander is a big reason why the Als have 11 30-plus completions already. He has a strong arm and he’s able to fit the ball into tight windows.
Vernon Adams Jr., who is a former teammate of Alexander’s with the Alouettes in 2022, is also having a strong season. Like Alexander, Adams Jr. hasn’t thrown an interception yet in 2026.
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Philpot twins face-off:
A Montreal vs. Calgary matchup also means that Tyson Philpot and his twin brother Jalen will go head-to-head. This is the third time the twins will play each other since they entered the league in 2022.
“Obviously, it gets the juices up,” Tyson said. “I love competing against my brother, but the goal of the week is to go 1-0 and to beat the Calgary Stampeders, and I’m 2-0 against him (smiles).”
The Alouettes receiver is off to one of the most impressive starts in CFL history. Through four games, Philpot is first in receptions (36), first in receiving yards (587 – no other receiver in the league has more than 438) and second in receiving touchdowns (3).
“Obviously, my confidence is up,” Philpot admitted. “I’d say it’s back to where it was in 2024 with just playing fast and not thinking about injuries or anything like that. Props just go to the coaches, especially (Anthony Calvillo) who is drawing up plays to get me open this year. It falls back on Davis, too. He’s finding me.”
Who’s in/Who’s out:
Running back Stevie Scott III will miss this game due to a hamstring injury. Scott made his return to the lineup in the Alouettes’ last game against Ottawa after missing the first three games with a hamstring issue he suffered in camp.
Fellow running back Shomari Lawrence is also dealing with a hamstring injury. He won’t play against the Stamps, which means that 2026 CFL Draft pick Liam Talbot will make his CFL debut. He’ll play behind Travis Theis.
Veteran Najee Murray is a game-time decision with a hamstring injury. He was limited in practice on Thursday.
The good news is that starting cornerback Lorenzo Burns will return after missing one game with a head injury.
“He’s played consistent since he’s been here,” Maas said of Burns. “He gives his all every day in practice. He’s a constant professional. You watch the way he prepares throughout the week by watching the amount of film he watches in our building. He’s always in our building.”
New face on defensive line
Look for rookie defensive end David Perales to make his Alouettes/CFL debut on Saturday night. Perales suffered a hand injury in training camp but is now totally healthy and ready to play.
“Aggressive and physical,” head coach Jason Maas said when asked about Perales’ qualities after Thursday’s practice. “He’s going to get after you and give great effort, which our defence is based on. He has ability. He played at a high level in college and in the NFL when he was there. He’s getting an opportunity here. When he gets his number called, he’ll be ready and he’ll be flying around.”
The 27-year-old played college football at Fresno State, where he had 11.5 sacks in his final season. He also spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
