The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to battle the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League championship game on Sunday at 6 p.m. ET in Winnipeg. Saskatchewan enters the 112th Grey Cup game as the favored team, aiming to end their championship drought.
The Roughriders have not clinched a Grey Cup victory since 2013, the last time they competed in the championship game. Despite a seemingly short 12-year gap in a nine-team league, the Roughriders have faced challenges, with a regular-season record of 83-92 and only three playoff wins in the ten seasons from 2014 to 2024 (excluding the canceled 2020 season due to Covid).
This season, Saskatchewan has dominated the CFL, starting with a 4-0 record and finishing as the top team with a league-best 12-6 record. After securing the West Division title, they rallied to defeat the B.C. Lions 24-21 in a thrilling West final, with quarterback Trevor Harris leading a remarkable game-winning drive.
On the other side, Montreal’s hopes for the Grey Cup rely partly on the health of their quarterback, Davis Alexander, who has an impressive 13-0 record as a starter in the CFL. Despite Alexander’s hamstring injury concerns, Montreal has shown strength in their gameplay, finishing second in the East with a 10-8 record and delivering notable wins in the playoffs.
Both teams boast talented offensive players, but the outcome of the Grey Cup may ultimately hinge on their defensive performance. Saskatchewan’s defense has excelled in preventing scoring and interceptions, while Montreal’s defense has been equally formidable, particularly in yards per play allowed.
As the Grey Cup approaches, the stage is set for a showdown between two determined teams with their eyes set on the championship. The game in Winnipeg on Sunday will reveal whether defense will once again play a decisive role in determining the victor.
