Montreal spirals while Elks spark life in Week 11

MONTREAL — The Toronto Argonauts will be playing three of their home games on the road in 2026, a necessary evil with BMO Field being used for the FIFA World Cup next year.

While I understand the financial and logistical reasons behind this decision, it’s hard not to feel for the Argos faithful. They’re getting the short end of the stick, with their team effectively playing a 12-game road schedule compared to the usual nine.

Talk about a competitive disadvantage. And it’s not just any road games, either.

The Argos will be “hosting” games in three of the most hostile environments in the league: Winnipeg, Regina and Hamilton. You can already feel these raucous fan bases licking their lips, ready to cheer on their hometown team against what will feel like an intruding opponent.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow for a fan base that, while not the largest in the league, is passionate and deserves better. And I can’t help but feel the league could have gotten more creative to achieve this goal.

We’ve seen the B.C. Lions commit to playing two of their World Cup-affected games at undisclosed venues within the province. Why couldn’t the Argos do something similar?

It’s been floated that they could play games in London or Guelph, or even a neutral site like Quebec City, which would have been a cool experience for all involved. But the team’s owners at MLSE clearly have no interest in spending the money or taking on the significant logistical challenges that would entail.

From a purely business perspective, it makes sense. It’s likely more profitable to simply sell the home games to the other clubs or work out a revenue-sharing agreement that exceeds what they would generate from a home game at a neutral site.

But it lacks a certain ambition, a willingness to truly invest in the fan experience and the league as a whole. It’s also a missed opportunity to showcase the CFL in new, untapped markets, and you wonder if there’s still time to change course.

Now, let’s get into what also caught my attention across the league in the latest edition of CFL Rundown.

1) I wrote earlier this week about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signing of Demerio Houston and how it’s a complex issue. But it’s also an example of the CFL’s unique approach to gender-based violence being on full display. Rather than taking a zero-tolerance stance and cutting a player loose following a charge, the league gave Houston the opportunity to earn a second chance. The CFL’s policy, which I’ve covered in the past, including when the league vetted Johnny Manziel, prioritizes rehabilitation and victim support. Houston was required to undergo counselling and work with professionals. The process is designed to address the underlying issues and promote genuine behavioural change. In an age of quick-fix public relations, this approach is more difficult, but it’s also more meaningful. It acknowledges that these are not simple issues and that lasting solutions require more than just a public dismissal. I hope Houston makes good use of his second chance.

2) Another tough break for the Ottawa Redblacks and quarterback Dru Brown. In a season defined by injury, Brown once again finds himself on the sidelines after taking a hit in the team’s loss to the Bombers last week. It’s a cruel twist of fate for a quarterback who has been the team’s heartbeat and a key to their success since arriving in the nation’s capital. With Brown behind centre, the Redblacks are a different team. Without him, and with Dustin Crum now taking the reins, they’re just not the same. At 3-7, the Redblacks are running out of time to make a push for the playoffs. This latest blow to Brown’s health feels like the final nail in the coffin for their 2025 campaign.

3) The Montreal Alouettes continue to spiral — losing in their last three games — as they look for their next trusted quarterback. Starter Davis Alexander, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson and now Caleb Evans are all on the six-game injured list, with Evans out for the year with a torn ACL. The revolving door under centre has put the team’s playoff aspirations in trouble. Their fourth-string quarterback, James Morgan, showed flashes in relief work last week, throwing for over 200 yards and a touchdown without an interception. But relying on an unknown with limited experience and a newly signed Cameron Dukes is a recipe for disaster. The pressure now falls on the defence and special teams to carry the load until Alexander can return.

4) The Edmonton Elks finally have a pulse. Indeed, the Elks have suddenly shown signs of life, reeling off two straight victories to improve to 3-6. While that record is nothing to write home about, it puts them just four points back of the B.C. Lions for the final West Division playoff spot — and with a game in hand. The switch to Cody Fajardo at quarterback has been a massive success, bringing stability and a newfound hope to a franchise that has been the league’s doormat for too long. With six of their final nine games against West opponents, the Elks have a legitimate chance to climb out of the hole they’ve dug for themselves. On the other side of the country, the Argonauts are now 2-8 and with a West crossover team a definite possibility for the East Division, it’s going to take a heck of an effort to climb back into the playoff race.

5) Speaking of the Lions, they appear to have found their rhythm. After two tough losses to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders that were decided by a combined 10 points, the Leos have rattled off back-to-back victories against the Ticats and the Alouettes. The team is finally gelling under the guidance of head coach Buck Pierce, who has instilled a culture of accountability and hard work that is now translating to on-field success. With quarterback Nathan Rourke playing at an elite level and running back James Butler providing a balanced attack, the Lions offence is becoming tough to stop. I wasn’t too concerned about them at the beginning of the season, but with their recent surge, you’d be foolish to count them out now.

6) It feels like I’m writing about the how good the Roughriders are every week, and for good reason — they’re the class of the CFL. Their recent win over the Tiger-Cats once again proved they’re on a different level, getting contributions from all three phases of the game. Quarterback Trevor Harris has been the catalyst, playing spectacularly even while missing his top three receivers. It’s truly a testament to his ability and the depth of the team. However, there’s one significant area of concern and that’s kicker Brett Lauther. He had another poor outing this past week — missing three field goals in the 29-19 victory. The Riders have now signed another kicker, inking Canadian Campbell Fair, so it will be interesting to see if they make a change.

7) With an impressive 6-3 record, the Calgary Stampeders currently hold the second spot in the West Division, but a lot is riding on their Week 12 matchup against the Roughriders. Coming off a bye, the Stamps will have to be at their best to stop the 8-1 Riders and maintain their cushion over the Bombers. A loss to the Riders, combined with a Bombers victory, would put both teams in a tie in the standings, making the race for the West playoffs even tighter. This isn’t a must-win for Calgary, but it feels like it. Either way, it’s undoubtedly the game of the week.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca