OTTAWA - The Ottawa Redblacks are stopping short of calling Thursday's matchup against the Montreal Alouettes a "must win" game.

Still, they know the stakes are high. The Redblacks, who had a roaring start to the season, need a win in Montreal to avoid heading into a bye week on a three-game losing streak.

Two weeks ago the Alouettes (3-6-0) manhandled the Redblacks 43-19 in Ottawa.

The Redblacks (4-4-1) have no intentions of a repeat performance.

"This is big as you don't ever want to get on a losing streak," said Ottawa head coach Rick Campbell. "This is a big game for us. They're all big, but this is a big game for us and there’s lots of things at stake.

"A winning record, season series against them — it's the last time we're going to play these guys in the regular season so there's a lot on the line. I expect a spirited game."

Unlike last season where everything seemed to fall into place, this Redblacks season has been full of challenges whether it be injuries to key players, costly penalties or just poor decision making.

The Redblacks take full responsibility for where they're at and say expectations haven't changed.

"A football game is usually determined by two or three plays, one touchdown, one slipped coverage or one fumble," said defensive lineman Zack Evans. "It's always determined by one or two plays and for us we've been shooting ourselves in the foot a lot.

"It's always been about us and what we do and don't do. If we fix a couple things I think we're right back on track."

Trevor Harris, who will get the start at quarterback for Ottawa this week, says no one is satisfied with where the team is at right now.

"You look at the standings and say 'oh we’re in first place (in the East Division)', but 4-4-1 is not what we wanted to be and not what we saw ourselves as especially when we were 3-0-1 at one point. We just have to make sure we’re doing everything we can to be the best team we can because if not we’ll start to slip to the middle of the pack and I really believe we have a great team here."

What would help the Redblacks is finding a way to avoid costly penalties. Campbell is hoping his team has learned from its mistakes

"The frustrating thing from last game is we took some unnecessary penalties," he said. "Things happen on the field where guys are competing and you might get a penalty or two, but you obviously want to stay away from the extracurricular stuff and keeping them on the field. We're working on it."

One benefit for the Redblacks is they won't have to worry about dealing with Duron Carter. Last time the two teams met Carter played a significant role in the Alouettes' victory with five receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, but he will be serving a one-game suspension Thursday night as a result of an incident that took place June 30th when he knocked Campbell over after scoring a touchdown.

Carter had appealed the suspension, but an independent arbitrator upheld it making him ineligible for Thursday's game.

Campbell said he had no reaction to the decision and chose to remain focused on the players he would be facing.

Notes: The Redblacks signed DE Marlon Smith Tuesday. Smith spent two seasons with the Redblacks and is expected to be in the lineup Thursday.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2016