Week 13 of the CFL season is here, so we need to break down all four games in our CFL Week 13 Preview. There seem to be more questions than answers, and with Labour Day weekend only a few weeks away, this could be the chance for teams to either get back into the playoff race or improve their lead in the standings, even getting one step closer to clinching their spot in the postseason.
Can Winnipeg Find a Way to Take Down Goliath?
Friday, August 28 — Montreal Alouettes vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Can Winnipeg Find a Way to Take Down Goliath?
Montreal Alouettes: 9-1
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: 5-5
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
Can Montreal keep this up?
The Montreal Alouettes seem unstoppable, with only one loss so far this season to the Edmonton Elks. While the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have struggled of late. However, they showed some steps forward in Week 12 with an impressive first half, controlling the game vs. a very good Elks team. And you would think being at home should help Winnipeg; however, they have struggled at home this season.
The last time we saw a team that looked as good as Montreal does this season was back in 2023 when the Argos went 16-2 in the regular season. The Alouettes are scoring at will, and no one seems to be able to stop the combo of Davis Alexander and Tyson Philpot. And now, with the running game getting going, it’s next to impossible to slow this team down. My one concern with this team has been their defence, at times it has struggled this season. They have been able to score their way out of that issue, but can they do that again this week if need be? we will have to see.
The Blue Bombers Need to Score Touchdowns, Not Field Goals
For Winnipeg, you need to make sure you end drives with touchdowns, not field goals. Field goals will NOT give you a chance to win when you are playing Montreal.
You also need to find a way to slow down this Alouettes offence and create turnovers. You also just have to pray that Oliveira will be ready to go and does not miss this game. Without him, I really don’t think this team has a chance.
I am also looking for more out of Tim White and Stanley Bryant, two players who I felt struggled at times last game and will need to be good for this team to make a real impact.
Winnipeg also needs a big game out of their defensive line. When Jefferson and Ceresna are playing at their best, they can be an unstoppable force and might be what it takes to slow down Montreal’s offence.
Evan Holm could also be a big impact player, as he will be trying to slow down Philpot and Tyler Snead. He is their best player in the backfield and will need to be again this week.
Who Wins?
I am taking Montreal in this game. I just feel Winnipeg does not have enough to slow down Montreal’s offence, and they don’t have the scoring power to keep up.
My prediction is 31-17 Montreal.
Saturday, August 29 — Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Calgary Stampeders
Hamilton Tiger-Cats: 4-7
Calgary Stampeders: 4-6
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET
Both of these teams heading into Week 13 have some real concerns when it comes to injuries and are both desperate for wins to stay in the playoff race. If the playoffs started today, both Hamilton and Calgary would be on the outside looking in. Let’s start with the Stampeders.
Can the Stampeders Play Up to Expectations?
Two weeks ago, Stampeders starting QB Vernon Adams Jr. and starting RB Dedrick Mills both left the game early with head injuries. As of Wednesday afternoon, both players are practicing, Mills in full and Adams limited. Plus, starting WR Reggie Begelton practiced in full for the first time this season!
The Stampeders are coming off a tough loss to the Lions in a game they really should have won if not for their defensive collapse at the end of the 4th quarter. This has been a real issue for this team this whole season. Even though this team has spent a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball, they have given up the second-most points in the CFL, giving up just under 33 pts a game.
On the flip side, if this offense is healthy, they can score at will, scoring 35 pts a game! With a balanced run and passing attack, it’s been tough for teams to stop them. But if Adams does not play, can this team find a way to put points on the board? Josh Love, in relief last game, did show some flashes, completing some nice passes, including a two-point convert to take the lead in a tight game. He also threw an interception that cost the Stamps the game. Whether Adams and Mills are playing or not, Calgary has to find a way to score if they have a chance to beat the Tiger-Cats.
Can Hamilton get a complete game from Tre Ford?
Hamilton is coming off a tough loss vs. the Toronto Argos last week. They were able to keep the game close until the 4th quarter, but they ran out of gas and Toronto really took over. The Tiger-Cats still have been struggling to find an answer at the QB position since Bo Mitchell went down with an ankle injury. And it does not sound like he is coming back anytime soon or at all this season.
If Tre Ford is going to become the answer, he needs to find a way to make the shorter plays as well as the deep shots. It felt like last week Ford either hit a 30-yard pass or a 5-yard pass was short. I also feel this team needs to play to his strengths more than they are. Stop making Ford stay in the pocket all game. Get him moving around, use his legs and call a lot more RPOs. For Hamilton, at least they are playing the team that gives up the second-most points in the CFL.
I do feel Hamilton’s defense has played well even after giving up 39 to the Argos. They are just on the field way too much. They are going to need to find ways to get off the field faster. Creating turnovers and forcing two-and-outs would really help this team. The front 7 needs to make sure they don’t let Calgary run them over with the running game like the Argos did.
Who Wins?
If you asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said the Calgary Stampeders. But they seem to find ways to lose games of late, and last week was a prime example of that.
As much as this pains me, I see Hamilton winning this one in a low-scoring game, 22-17.
Saturday, August 29 — Toronto Argonauts vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Can the Riders Snap Their Two-Game Losing Streak?
Toronto Argonauts: 5-5
Saskatchewan Roughriders: 6-4
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
This is another game that means a lot for both teams. The Argos have a chance to pull away from the Tiger-Cats for second in the East. Meanwhile, the Riders have been struggling over their last two games, and first place in the West is really starting to slip away. If they want a chance to catch the Elks, they need to start winning ASAP.
Let’s Start With the Riders
The Riders have been bitten by the injury bug, and it has really hurt them, as seen below.
This team has really missed a lot of these key players, and it has really shown over the last two games, getting outscored 56-35. Both games were against teams that are lower than them in the standings.
The secondary has really struggled without Milligan and Campbell, while Trevor Harris has struggled without having two of his favourite targets in Schaffer-Baker and Emilus. Plus, the running game has really slowed down without A.J. Ouellette.
However, this team still has some great players. KeeSean Johnson is on pace for his best season ever in the CFL, and D’Sean Mimbs and Duncan-Busby have been able to make some plays.
This team will also need a big game from Jameer Thurman, who leads the team in tackles and is third on the team in sacks. Mike Rose and James Vaughters will also need to make some big plays at the line. You can’t let Chad Kelly get comfortable in this game, or it could be over quickly for the Riders.
However, they could also create great pressure and force Chad Kelly to turn the ball over, something he has struggled with all season.
Can the Argos Build Some Momentum?
The Argos are coming off one of their best complete games of the season, with all three phases really working. They had their best running game since the 2024 season with Ka’Deem Carey, plus the defence kept Tre Ford in check, making it very hard for Hamilton to move the ball.
However, can this team keep it up?
The last time the Argos won back-to-back games was in their third game of the season, when they took down the Riders 40-34. Since then, Toronto has been a win-one, lose-one type of team. This team has to find a way to string some wins together.
Chad Kelly needs to protect the ball, and the running game needs to keep the momentum from last week’s game vs. Hamilton. The offensive line really took over that game and will look to do the same this week.
Like the Riders, the Argos are also battling some tough injuries. See the list below.
Cameron Judge is the biggest piece that is out for the Argos. He’s the leader of the linebacking crew and one of the team’s best players on the defensive side.
Polk is also a huge loss for this team. However, Toronto has a lot of depth at WR. Jake Herslow slides into his spot perfectly and would be in the starting five on a lot of teams.
Who Wins?
With all that being said, can the Argos win back-to-back games for just the second time this season? Or will the Roughriders snap out of their losing streak?
I predict the Argos will win this game. However, it will be close.
Prediction: Argos 27, Roughriders 24
Sunday, August 30 — BC Lions vs. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Can the REDBLACKS Finally Get Their First Win of the Season?
BC Lions: 5-5
Ottawa REDBLACKS: 0-10
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
Its hard to find any positives from the Ottawa Redblacks of late. The BC Lions are the complete opposite, it’s hard to find anything negative with this team of late.
Can the Ottawa Redblacks Find a Way?
There have been a lot of issues in Ottawa this year, and for the most part, I personally have not blamed QB Jake Maier. However, the last game he played was his worst game by far. He had one good drive, and after that, he looked overwhelmed and just frustrated.
I personally think it is time for a change, but I don’t see it happening. At least not this week.
With that being said, there are two main areas that, if cleaned up, could help Maier a lot.
1. Try to Build Off Greg Bell’s Last Game
Bell did have a half-decent game last week before the score got out of hand, forcing the Redblacks to only throw the ball. He had 55 yards on eight carries. It felt like his best game all year.
Running to the outside vs. up the middle seemed to make a big difference for him, and let’s hope Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie has this in the game plan.
2. Defence, Remember Tackling Is a Part of Football
The defence also just needs to be better as a whole, but tackling is a good start. I just feel like they miss way too many tackles when I watch this team.
This is making short-yardage passing plays turn into big-yardage gains for the other team. Cleaning that up will go a long way for Ottawa this week.
BC Lions: Can They Make It Five in a Row?
The Lions seem to have everything rolling right now. QB Nathan Rourke looks like he’s back to his MOP ways of last season.
The team’s defence is also playing at a high level, allowing less than 30 points in each of their last seven games. That’s a huge improvement from the start of the season when we were all talking about how they had the worst defence in the CFL.
BC did make one major change heading into this week, adding kick returner Lawrence Woods III. This has been one of the weak spots for this team this season, even during this winning streak, so this move should help the team a lot.
For more on that, click HERE to read more.
BC just needs to make sure they come ready to play. They are the better team on every day that ends in Y, so they should have no issues. But if you don’t come ready, the game could get out of hand.
Who Wins?
Ottawa needs to win at some point, and BC won’t win every game to finish the season. But I am taking BC in this game, although I think it will be closer than many might expect.
Prediction: BC 30, Ottawa 19.
Week 13 Could Shake Up the CFL Standings
With Edmonton on a bye, Week 13 gives several teams an opportunity to make up ground. Montreal can continue to separate itself from the rest of the league, while Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Hamilton and BC all have plenty to play for.
And in Ottawa, the question remains the same: when will the REDBLACKS finally find a way to win?
