The Montreal Alouettes had high hopes coming into the shortened season, but since there are only 9 teams in the CFL, there has to be at least 1 team with a bye-week. They started late, against teams with some momentum built, but were able to beat an Edmonton Elks team that started off with a defeat to the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

But Week 3 wasn’t as virtuous for them, losing to the Calgary Stampeders in a close fight, 28-22. With the first 3 games on the road, the Als finally got to have their home opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but that didn’t go as planned, losing 27-10. Albeit to the team that many believed could win the Grey Cup.

In team stats, they do rank 1st, but, they’ve only played 5 games. They lead in 6 categories, but as the season goes on, those numbers may change. Because they do not reflect to wins at this point. The statistics that matter, are still some of the lowest in the CFL.

OFFENSE

A major part of the reason that they’re 2-3 at this point is that the receivers aren’t exactly helping QB Vernon Adams. The Alouettes leading receiver, in yards, Eugene Lewis has 20 receptions, but he’s been targeted 42 times. The 2nd leading pass catcher, Jake Wieneke, has 24 catches but 38 targets. The positive part for Wieneke is that he leads the team in TDs with 5.

The leader in catches and yards, Lewis has only found the end zone twice. BJ Cunningham is 3rd in yards in yards and the leader in catches, only has 1 score.

RB William Standback is 3rd in the league in carries, and 2nd in yards, but 10th in TDs with 1. The offensive production is lacking at best. Adams and Stanback are the only 2 in the top 5 in stats, with Lewis 8th in receiving. Vernon is 2nd in passing TDs with 9, but it’s the drops, and inaccuracy that hurts him. At this point, Adams is in last place in completion percentage with 54.2%.

DEFENSE

The defensive side of the ball isn’t doing them any favors either. Their leading tackler is 30th in the league, Tyquwan Glass. Woody Barron leads the Alouettes in sacks with 3, while at the top of the list, Shawn Lemon, has 6. DBs Greg Reid, Adarius Picket, and Patrick Levels all have 1 each.

Bo Lokombo, and Deatrick Nichols lead the CFL with 3. Montreal needs to improve on both sides of the ball.

SPECIAL TEAMS

K David Cote is 13 of 17, which is good for 4th in the league. He is 13 for 13 out of 1-point conversion attempts. At least he’s having a decent year. Mario Alford is 2nd in the league with punt return yards and has one for a TD. As for kickoff returns, he’s 4th with 320 yards.

OUTLOOK

Two of the facets of the team have to improve for the Alouettes to make a run at the Cup. The offense have all the weapons, and the defense can be better, they just need to work on getting to the QBs more, so they don’t have time to work through their progressions.

Montreal’s next game starts a 4-game road trip that begins in Toronto, who is so struggling with a 3-3 season.