The top teams in the CFL’s East and West divisions meet on Saturday night to conclude the Week 9 slate.
This week’s CFL narrative: There are four CFL games on tap ahead of the Civic Holiday, headlined by the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-1) visiting the Montreal Alouettes (5-2). The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who are the other top squad in the East, are road favourites in Edmonton on Saturday afternoon.
Check out the latest CFL Week 9 predictions for the games beginning Thursday, July 31.
CFL Week 9 predictions
Best bet: Roughriders/Alouettes under 50.5 points (-110)
It’s still early, but this is shaping up as a potential Grey Cup preview with how Saskatchewan and Montreal are playing this season.
And it starts on the defensive side of the ball.
The Alouettes and Roughriders rank second and third, respectively, in scoring defence. Also, Montreal is No. 1 in total defence.
In the run game, these defences are as stout as it gets. Saskatchewan allows just 66.9 yards/game (first in the CFL), while Montreal allows 75.6 yards/game (second).
Led by A.J. Ouellette, the Riders love to establish their rushing attack. And Montreal might need to lean more heavily on that aspect without starting quarterback Davis Alexander.
I just don’t think either defence will allow for much breathing room.
Also, both teams have an impact wideout who is trending toward missing this week.
Neither Tyson Philpot (three TDs in five games for Montreal) nor Samuel Emilus (361 yards in four games for Saskatchewan) practiced on Tuesday or Wednesday.
These teams combined for just 36 total points when they matched up in Montreal last season.
Key stat: Montreal and Saskatchewan’s defences combine to allow 46.6 PPG.
More best bets
Tiger-Cats -3.5 (-110): The scheduling gods aren’t working in Hamilton’s favour, as this will be the Ti-Cats’ fourth road game in a five-week span.
But Hamilton has risen to every challenge after an 0-2 start. Who knew a Week 3 bye could do a team so much good.
Since then, the Ti-Cats are 5-0 with a 10.6-point average victory margin. They’ve covered this number in four of five.
Edmonton is just 1-5 SU and 2-4 ATS on the season. The Elks have failed to cover a +3.5 spread in four of six games.
Hamilton has the No. 1 scoring offence in the CFL, while Edmonton ranks eighth. The chasm between them is nearly 10.0 points per game.
Edmonton also has the ninth-ranked scoring defence. To me, the gap between these teams is more than 3.5 points.
Stampeders +3.5 (-110): Vernon Adams Jr. won’t play for Calgary on Thursday night, which helps explain why the Stamps are underdogs.
Still, I think there’s a lot to like about Calgary against an Ottawa Redblacks team that hasn’t proven anything.
Yes, Ottawa (1-6 SU, 2-5 ATS) did earn its lone win came in Calgary earlier this year. But that was in severe rain and wind that changed the complexion of the game (Ottawa won, 20-12, in a game that featured just one touchdown).
Calgary (5-2 SU, 5-2 ATS) has the CFL’s No. 1 scoring defence (19.1 PPG). Adams’ absence has nothing to do with that.
Look for the Stamps to at least keep things close with former NFLer P.J. Walker making his first CFL start. Surely, a full week of practice with the first team will do Walker some good.
CFL Week 9 predictions as of 2:10 p.m. on 07/31/2025.
Jordan enjoys writing data-driven game previews and analysis articles — especially for MLB markets or NFL/NBA props. And as a proud Ohio University grad, he’ll always have a soft spot for college sports (especially if the Bobcats are involved). Previous stops include mlb.com, Sportsnet and The Athletic.