The Montreal Alouettes begin their post season quest of defending their Grey Cup title by hosting the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Final on Saturday. Montreal won the first meeting against Toronto this season 30-20 but Toronto won the next 2 games against Montreal by 37-18 and then most recently 37-31.

Game Details:

Date/Location: Saturday, November 8 /Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, QC

Kickoff Time: 3:00 PM ET, 2:00 PM CT

Channel: CTV, TSN, RDS (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)

Odds: 

Spread: Montreal -2.5 (-110), Toronto +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline: Montreal -128, Toronto +106

Over/Under: 52.5 (Over -110, Under -110)

If you do place bets please do so responsibly and if you may have a gambling problem please seek help.

Montreal Alouettes: The Montreal Alouettes began their season on an absolute tear this year opening the season with a 10-1 record. However, over the last 7 games, their record was 2-4-1. Despite the regression in their record, the Alouettes are still playing good football. In the final regular season game Montreal looked poised to win before the North wind arrived in force and limited a punt to 20 yards in the final minute before Sergio Castillo kicked a game-winning field goal for Winnipeg. While Montreal lost in week 21 there was a very good sign demonstrated in their run defense as Brady Oliveira was limited to 35 yards on 11 carries. Montreal’s run defense often struggled this season so this was a positive development, especially considering how well the remaining teams in the playoffs can run the ball.

Toronto Argonauts: Last week saw the Argonauts defeat the Ottawa RedBlacks 58-38 in the Eastern Semi-Final. The game tied a record for the most points scored in a CFL playoff game. Chad Kelly had a perfect passer rating as he completed 18 of is 20 passes for 358 yards and 4 touchdowns. Makai Polk caught 4 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown. DaVaris Daniels caught 4 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the ground, Ka’Deem Carey rushed 9 times for 43 yards.

Alouettes Keys to the Game

Pound the Rock and Use RPOs Frequently

Toronto frequently uses run-pass option plays which which do well in keeping the defense honest often causing hesitation in the pass rush as defenders need to ensure they do not abandon their run responsibility. At times over the past 2 seasons, Montreal saw their opponent’s pass rush able to take advantage of predictable tendencies in which the run game was underutilized resulting in defenses not needing to worry about run responsibility. Montreal will do well to incorporate the run game against Toronto and possible mix in some RPOs to create a positive effect in pass protection against Montreal’s strong pass rushers.

Walter Fletcher had a strong season rushing 17 times for 141 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, and 4 touchdowns. It’s time to cut him loose.

Quick Pass Options

Montreal has a talented group of receivers in this lineup with all of the starters capable of making big plays. Charleston Rambo, Tyler Snead, Austin Mack, Cole Spieker, and Kaion Julien-Grant make up a starting 5 where every receiver is a player to remember. It will be particularly important against Toronto for Montreal’s receivers on the quick routes to give Fajardo an option to keep the offense moving when pressured.

Lockdown Pass Coverage

Chad Kelly just had one of the best CFL playoff games in recent memory last week against Ottawa. Montreal has a strong secondary that has been one of the key strengths building to their success over the past 2 seasons.  This week will be a strong test for Montreal’s pass defense. Kabion Ento has been among the best cornerbacks in the CFL this season and is in good company with Dionte Ruffin, Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Wesley Sutton, and Lorenzo Burns.

Strong Run Defense

Ka’Deem Carey finished the season 3rd in rushing yards after rushing 191 times for 1,060 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, and 7 touchdowns. Montreal will need a strong performance from their run defense that is missing defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson. Montreal has 4 capable defensive tackles rostered this week in Derek Wiggan, Antonio Moultrie, Lwal Uguak, and Dylan Wynn. Darnell Sankey, Tyrice Beverette, and Najee Murray’s performances in the second level will be key.

5 Alouettes to Watch

# WR Cole Spieker

Spieker led the team in receiving in the final regular season game as he caught 3 passes for 71 yards. He led the team in receiving over the regular season after catching 58 passes for 823 yards and 7 touchdowns.

# Kaion Julien-Grant

KJG’s year has been interrupted by injuries. Over 12 games he has 46 receptions for 486 yards and a touchdown. Last year when Tyson Philpot was injured early in the year he was on pace for over a thousand yards before his season was ended early by injury. He hasn’t had a game with over 50 yards since mid-September and is due for a breakout game.

#44 DE Jordan Domineck

Week 21 saw Domineck generate 5 pressures in the pass rush and he had 4 tackles, 2 of which were solo run stops. He has 10 tackles over 5 games this season as a CFL rookie. He’s been an effective pass rusher and run stopper for Montreal and will be relied upon in the Eastern Final.

#1 MLB Darnell Sankey

Sankey had 6 tackles, 2 QB hurries, a solo and shared run stop, and 2 stops against the pass in week 21. He has 107 tackles, a sack, an interception, and 3 forced fumbles over the season.

#24 Marc-Antone Deqouy

Last year in the Eastern Final Dequoy picked off Kelly and returned it over 100 yards for a touchdown and will be a key part in Montreal’s efforts on Saturday. He has 32 tackles, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble on the season.

5 Argonauts to Watch

# QB Chad Kelly

Kelly completed 67.8% of his passes for 2,451 yards and 10 touchdowns with 8 interceptions over 9 games this regular season.

# WR Makai Polk

Polk exploded as a CFL rookie this year as he caught 61 passes for 1,024 yards and 5 touchdowns. He caugth 4 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown last week in the Eastern Final.

# WR DaVaris Daniels

Daniels caught 48 passes for 622 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. Last week he caught 4 passes for 88 yards and 2 touchdowns.

#7 DE Folarin Orimolade

Orimolade had 7 pressures and a QB hit last week in addition to his solo run stop. He had a lot of opportunities to rush Dru Brown last week as he attempted 61 passes but an impressive game nevertheless. He had 17 tackles, 6 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble over the regular season.

#8 DB DaShaun Amos

While Dru Brown had a lot of yards against Toronto last week, only 2 completions went Amos’ way for a total of 17 yards over 4 targets. He had 25 tackles, 5 interceptions, and a touchdown this regular season.

Injury Report:

Depth Charts:

Score Prediction:

Truth be told I am on the fence in predicting the winner of this match in a way I have not sense felt since last year’s Grey Cup. This is going to be a heavyweight fight that you do not want to miss. I am picking Montreal to once again this year to surprise Toronto in the Eastern Final despite being considered the underdog. I’ll predict Montreal to win 31-28. The birds fight very hard when people start sleeping on them. 

@JonathanClink on Twitter