113th Grey Cup Preview For PUMPJACKS

The stage is set for the 113th Grey Cup, and two of the Canadian Football League’s most storied franchises will meet Sunday, November 15, at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The Montreal Alouettes and Edmonton Elks have taken different roads to the championship, but both arrive with legitimate reasons to believe they can hoist the iconic trophy.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, with Montreal looking to erase the disappointment of last year’s Grey Cup loss to Saskatchewan, while Edmonton attempts to complete one of the franchise’s most impressive turnarounds in recent memory.

MONTREAL: AN OFFENSIVE POWERHOUSE

The Alouettes enter the championship following an outstanding 14-4 regular season, the best record in the CFL. Head coach Jason Maas has assembled a team capable of beating opponents in multiple ways, and quarterback Davis Alexander has emerged as one of the league’s premier performers.

Montreal averaged 34.7 points per game and led the CFL in total offensive production with 420.9 yards per contest. The Alouettes also finished first in completion percentage at 72.9 per cent and tied for the league lead with 59 big plays.

Alexander’s performance in the Eastern Final against Winnipeg was another reminder of his capabilities. He threw for 373 yards and two touchdowns in Montreal’s 33-23 victory, earning another opportunity to compete for the championship after last year’s defeat.

Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot is another major weapon. The Most Outstanding Canadian caught nine passes for 129 yards in the Eastern Final. He and Tyler Snead provide Alexander with reliable targets, while Montreal’s ability to stretch the field makes its offence particularly dangerous.

The Alouettes also finished the regular season with a plus-21 turnover ratio, second-best in the league.

EDMONTON: THE RESURGENCE IS REAL

The Edmonton Elks have arguably the most compelling comeback story entering Grey Cup week.

After missing the playoffs since 2019, Edmonton finished the 2026 regular season with an impressive 13-5 record, capturing the Western Division title under second-year head coach Mark Kilam.

The Elks defeated the B.C. Lions 28-16 in Saturday’s Western Final, showing the defensive toughness and offensive composure that have characterized their season.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo was instrumental in the victory. His mobility proved particularly important against the Lions, including a pivotal 29-yard scramble and a five-yard rushing touchdown. Later, he connected with Austin Mack for a 23-yard touchdown that helped put the game away.

Running back Justin Rankin provides another dimension. Edmonton led the CFL in rushing offence, averaging 127.6 yards per game. Rankin’s ability to generate yards and keep defences honest will be particularly important against Montreal.

Defensively, the Elks are equally impressive. They allowed just 24.3 points per game and 338.6 net yards per contest, both league-leading figures. Edmonton also topped the CFL in turnover ratio at plus-23.

A HISTORIC RIVALRY

There is plenty of Grey Cup history between these organizations.

This will be the 12th time Montreal and Edmonton have met in the championship game, with the Elks holding an 8-3 advantage in their previous 11 meetings.

Edmonton won three consecutive championship meetings in 1954, 1955 and 1956. Montreal answered with victories in 1974, 1975 and 1977, before Edmonton reclaimed the upper hand.

Their most recent Grey Cup meeting came in 2005, when Edmonton defeated Montreal 38-35 in overtime in one of the most memorable championship games of that era.

Overall, Edmonton has won 14 Grey Cups in 23 appearances, while Montreal has captured eight championships in 20 appearances.

The Alouettes have reached the Grey Cup in three of the last four seasons, winning in 2023. Edmonton’s most recent championship came in 2015, when the franchise defeated Ottawa 26-20.

THE MATCHUP AND THE FINAL WORD

The regular-season series was split, providing another reason to expect a competitive championship.

Edmonton won the first meeting 32-29 in Week 3, while Montreal responded with an emphatic 48-30 victory in Week 10.

Alexander threw for 708 yards and six total touchdowns across those two games. Philpot contributed 251 receiving yards and three touchdowns. For Edmonton, Fajardo accounted for five touchdowns, while Rankin accumulated 292 yards from scrimmage.

The biggest question Sunday will be whether Montreal’s explosive offence can solve Edmonton’s league-leading defence. Conversely, can Fajardo and Rankin establish enough of a ground game to control possession and keep Alexander on the sidelines?

There is also the Calgary factor. McMahon Stadium last hosted the Grey Cup in 2019, and the Alberta setting should provide a tremendous atmosphere for a championship featuring two passionate football markets.

Montreal has the offensive firepower and championship experience. Edmonton has the defensive numbers, a powerful running game and tremendous momentum.

One franchise is chasing redemption. The other is chasing a return to glory.

Either way, the 113th Grey Cup promises to be a terrific conclusion to the 2026 CFL season.