The High Stakes of the East Division Semifinal
Football is a sport where the thrill lies in its unpredictability, especially when it comes to playoff games. In a best-of-seven series, the more talented team usually prevails. However, once the playoffs begin, it's a one-game elimination scenario, making every match a high-stakes affair. This was evident last season when the Alouettes faced off against Toronto in the East Division final at Molson Stadium. Despite being the stronger team, Montreal imploded, committing multiple turnovers and losing the opportunity to defend their Grey Cup title.
With that in mind, here are some critical questions leading up to Saturday’s East Division semifinal between the Als and Winnipeg at Molson Stadium. Both teams ended the regular season with 10-8 records, but the Blue Bombers won both matchups against Montreal this season.
Can Davis Alexander Continue Winning?
Davis Alexander has been a game-changer for the Alouettes. When he plays, the team is more confident and performs differently. He has an undefeated record in 11 games, including seven this season. However, this marks the 27-year-old’s first CFL playoff experience. Will that affect his performance under pressure, especially if he faces adversity? It's worth noting that Alexander has never played against Winnipeg before.
What happens if Alexander is injured? That would be a significant problem. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who has won three games this season, is not as effective at 37 years old. Alexander suffered a recurring hamstring injury this season and took two shots to his right elbow against Ottawa on Oct. 18, yet he continued playing. This shows his resilience.
How Much Does Zach Collaros Have Left?
Winnipeg has the more experienced quarterback in Zach Collaros. He has a 7-1 playoff record, and the Bombers have reached the Grey Cup in five consecutive seasons. However, Collaros was limited to 13 games due to injuries to his neck and head, although the team never confirmed it as a concussion. At 37, Collaros has taken more punishment this season than ever before, which might have affected his performance.
Who will he throw to? Nic Demski was a 1,000-yard receiver this season, barely meeting the mark. However, he pulled his hamstring this month and missed the last two games, making him questionable for Saturday. He's the best of a group of receivers that isn't elite in the CFL. After Demski, Winnipeg had no other receiver in the top 25, which is almost unheard of in a passing league. The Bombers had the CFL’s least-productive passing attack this season.
Can the Als Stop the Run?
Montreal’s run defense was inconsistent this season, often struggling against opposing teams. Opponents averaged 103.1 yards against the Als. When these teams met in Montreal on Aug. 21, Brady Oliveira destroyed the Als single-handedly, gaining 137 yards on 16 carries while scoring a touchdown. He also caught nine passes for 73 yards. This was despite injuries to Demski and receiver Jerreth Sterns. The Als knew Winnipeg had to run, yet they had no answers.
Even last Saturday, when the teams met and numerous veterans were healthy scratches, Matthew Peterson gained 80 yards on 17 carries, while fullback Michael Chris-Ike had 67 yards on three carries. Both are non-imports.
Will the Loss of Defensive-Tackle Mustafa Johnson Impact Montreal?
Yes. Johnson is one of the league’s most disruptive interior pass rushers. In only seven games this season, he had two sacks and forced a fumble. However, he suffered a shoulder injury last Saturday, had his arm in a sling after the game, and hasn’t practiced this week.
How Will the Als Compensate for Johnson’s Absence?
The rest of Montreal’s defense isn’t so bad. The Als tied for the league lead in sacks (45), forced fumbles (17), and fumbles recovered (12). Rush-end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund had a team-leading 11 sacks. Boundary linebacker Tyrice Beverette had seven sacks, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey had a team-high 101 tackles. And while safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy didn’t have nearly as many big plays as he did during the 2023 season, he appears energized of late and has recovered three fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown.
If defense wins championships, the Als are in good standing.
What About the Als’ Offense?
Montreal kicked too many field goals and didn’t score enough touchdowns. Jose Maltos set a franchise record with 58 field goals — his longest came from 58 yards — but the Als averaged a modest 23.3 offensive points. The team scored a league-low 34 touchdowns while averaging 329.4 yards of offense, ahead of only Edmonton. The Als had 45 red-zone opportunities inside the 20, but scored only 25 touchdowns in those situations. And the Als’ average of 85.9 yards rushing was ahead of only Toronto.
A First for the Bombers?
This is the first time since 2019 there has been a West Division crossover, and no crossover team has ever made it to the Grey Cup. While Winnipeg is hosting this year’s championship game, only one team in the last 11 years has reached the title match as host.
