CFL Grey Cup 2026 Betting Preview: Alouettes vs. Elks Predictions & Best Bets

Montreal Alouettes – Will The High-Powered Als Remain Hot?

The Montreal Alouettes are back in the Grey Cup for the second consecutive season, looking to avenge last year’s championship defeat to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Montreal finished the 2026 regular season with an impressive 14-4 record, earning one of the CFL’s top records before defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 33-23 in the Eastern Final.

QB Davis Alexander is returning to the Grey Cup after leading Montreal to another championship appearance. The reigning CFL Most Outstanding Player enjoyed an outstanding regular season, establishing himself as one of the league’s elite quarterbacks.

With an explosive passing attack and a defense capable of making game-changing plays, the Alouettes have all the ingredients to reclaim the championship.

Let’s break down both sides of the ball ahead of the 113th Grey Cup:

Offense

Alexander has developed into one of the CFL’s elite quarterbacks. He finished the 2026 regular season with 5,257 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and just four interceptions. His 72.1% completion rate and 10.0 yards per attempt highlight his efficiency and ability to stretch opposing defenses.

Alexander was particularly impressive in the Eastern Final, throwing for 373 yards and two touchdowns in Montreal’s 33-23 win over Winnipeg. He completed 23 of 35 passes without an interception, with another outstanding performance when the stakes were highest.

DAVIS ALEXANDER AND TYLER SNEAD ARE INEVITABLE! THE ALS BURY THE DAGGER 😱 #GCPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1LxXlmGgFY

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 7, 2026

His biggest weapons are WR Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead. Philpot led Montreal with 1,809 receiving yards, while Snead added 1,474 yards. Both receivers give Alexander reliable options downfield, making it difficult for opposing defenses to focus on one target.

The ground game also provides an important dimension. RB Travis Theis led the Alouettes with 831 rushing yards and seven touchdowns despite appearing in just 12 games. Stevie Scott III offers another option, affording Montreal flexibility when it wants to take pressure off Alexander.

The Alouettes averaged 34.7 points and 420.9 total yards per game during the regular season, ranking second and first in the CFL. With Alexander leading such a productive offense, Montreal has the firepower to keep pace with Edmonton in what could be a high-scoring Grey Cup.

Defense

Montreal’s defense has been another important part of its championship run. The Alouettes allowed 26.4 points and approximately 361 yards per game during the regular season, ranking third in scoring defense and fourth in total yards allowed.

LB Tyrice Beverette remains the centerpiece of this unit. He earned Montreal’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player award after recording 66 defensive tackles, six sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 16 games. His ability to contribute against both the run and pass makes him one of the Alouettes’ most valuable defensive players.

TYRICE BEVERETTE STRIP SACK IN THE CLUTCH! MTL BALL! 😤

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Eastern Final presented by Wegovy® | #GCPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qh6wx8uA2j

— CFL (@CFL) November 7, 2026

Beverette also delivered when Montreal needed him most in the Eastern Final. With Winnipeg threatening to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, he stripped QB Zach Collaros and recovered the fumble, effectively ending the Blue Bombers’ comeback hopes.

The Alouettes must find ways to pressure the opposing quarterback, create turnovers, and prevent the Elks from establishing their offensive rhythm. Montreal isn’t necessarily a defensive powerhouse, but it has enough talent and experience to make important stops.

Considering how potent the Als’ offense can be, the defense doesn’t necessarily have to be perfect, but Edmonton still maintain the defensive advantage.

Edmonton Elks – Will the Grey Cup Drought End?

The Edmonton Elks are heading to their first Grey Cup since 2015 after an impressive 13-5 regular-season campaign. Edmonton finished atop the West Division standings before knocking off the BC Lions 28-16 in the Western Final, earning a championship matchup against the Montreal Alouettes.

QB Cody Fajardo is no stranger to the Grey Cup, having previously won championships with Saskatchewan and Montreal. The 34-year-old veteran will now attempt to lead Edmonton to its 15th Grey Cup title and first in 11 years.

With a productive offense and arguably the CFL’s most disruptive defense, the Elks have plenty of reasons to believe they can pull off the upset. Let’s break down the offense and defense for the big clash in Calgary:

Offense

Fajardo has been a major reason for Edmonton’s turnaround this season. The veteran quarterback completed 382 of 551 passes for 4,788 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during the regular season.

The signal caller was sharp in the Western Final against BC, with 25 of 30 passes completed for 274 yards and a touchdown. He also led Edmonton in rushing with 84 yards on 10 carries, including a five-yard touchdown run. His ability to extend plays and make things happen with his legs was instrumental in eliminating the Lions.

"We're Grey Cup crashers!"

Cody Fajardo delivers an ELECTRIC postgame interview after the Elks' Western Final victory 🗣️ #GCPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/2kNawERHFg

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 8, 2026

His favorite receiving target has been former Alouettes teammate WR Austin Mack. The wide receiver led Edmonton with 1,254 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 82 receptions. He was also instrumental in the Western Final, catching six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

The Elks have additional weapons in WR TJ Luther and Joshua Cephus, who combined for 1,355 receiving yards and six touchdowns. This gives Fajardo multiple options in the passing game rather than relying exclusively on Mack.

RB Justin Rankin has also been outstanding. He led Edmonton with 1,170 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 204 carries, averaging an impressive 5.7 yards per attempt. Rankin added 640 receiving yards, making him an important contributor in both phases of the offense.

Edmonton scored 28.6 points per game during the regular season, while its 2,296 rushing yards ranked first in the CFL. The Elks can attack opponents through the air with Fajardo and Mack or lean on Rankin to establish the ground game.

Defense

The Edmonton Elks’ defense could be the biggest reason they have a legitimate chance of winning the Grey Cup. They led the CFL in takeaways during the regular season, finishing with a remarkable +23 turnover differential.

The unit has consistently created problems for opposing quarterbacks, forcing mistakes and giving Fajardo additional opportunities to capitalize. Edmonton also allowed just 24.3 points per game, which ranked first in the CFL.

LB Joel Dublanko has been an important contributor, providing physicality and playmaking ability in the middle of the defense. He demonstrated his impact in the Western Final by forcing a crucial fourth-quarter fumble against BC’s Justin McInnis. Defensive back JJ Ross recovered the loose ball, setting up another Edmonton scoring opportunity.

Joel Dublanko joins Luke Willson to talk about how fired up the Elks are to be underdogs.

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— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 7, 2026

The defensive line also deserves plenty of credit. Malik Carney and Noah Taylor helped disrupt Lions’ QB Nathan Rourke in the Western Final, combining for important pressure and sacks. Carney recorded a key third-down sack, while Taylor brought down Rourke for a nine-yard loss in the second quarter.

Edmonton’s ability to generate pressure and force turnovers will be especially important against Alexander. Montreal’s quarterback has been outstanding throughout the season, so the Elks need to make him uncomfortable and take advantage of any mistakes.

The Elks have proven they can win defensive battles, as demonstrated by holding BC to just 16 points in the Western Final. If they can replicate that performance against Montreal’s high-powered offense, Edmonton has the defensive foundation to capture its first Grey Cup since 2015.