Well, here we are. November is right around the corner, which means it’s time for some CFL playoff football!
The Eastern semifinal features a crossover team for the first time since 2019 in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, as they travel to take on the Montreal Alouettes in a rematch of the 110th Grey Cup.
Let’s dive in.
Watch the Blue Bombers and Alouettes LIVE Saturday at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on TSN1/4/5, the TSN App, and TSN.ca.
It’s the first time Winnipeg finds itself in a crossover position, as they’ll try to become the first team to make it to the Grey Cup out of the crossover since its inception in 1996. But recent history suggests the Blue Bombers could be the first team to do it, given the fact they’ve made it to the big dance for the last five years.
Of course, Winnipeg has lost the last three after winning the first two, but with them hosting the 112th Grey Cup, they’ll be looking for a pair of road wins before returning home to avenge their previous losses and hoist the trophy for the first time since 2021.
Standing opposite of making those dreams into reality are the Alouettes, and when they have their guys, they literally don’t lose.
If you haven’t heard, Montreal’s pivot Davis Alexander is yet to lose a start in the CFL, boasting a staggering 11-0 record to start his career, while going a perfect 7-0 this season. The 27-year-old missed significant time with a hamstring injury, however, as he finished the year completing 72.5 per cent of his passes for 2,024 yards, 10 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.
If you were to stretch out those numbers into a projected 18-game sample, however, they are just as elite as anyone else’s in the league, which matches the eye test.
It’s not just Alexander that has battled injuries and is ready to rock and roll, as the entire team has dealt with ailments all season, but is now basically fully healthy when it matters. The only question mark heading into the game is 2023 East All-CFL member Mustafa Johnson, who is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury after not practicing all week.
Alexander may be undefeated, but this will be his first playoff start, and he’ll be leading his squad against an expereinced and talented group, including quarterback Zach Collaros who has a 9-5 playoff record.
It’s the ole the kid taking on the vet storyline, but Collaros will be looking to put together a final stretch to end the season on a high note after a rather disappointing regular season.
The 37-year-old missed five games this season with various ailments, putting up 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns, and a league-high 16 interceptions.
It was his worst season in a Bomber uniform, throwing for the least number of yards and touchdowns, while throwing for the most interceptions in a season since he touched down in Winnipeg. And he’ll have to overcome all of that without potentially his best weapon.
Nic Demski has been listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game due to a hamstring injury he suffered back in Week 19. It goes without saying that the Bombers would miss the West All-CFL member’s abilities after his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2025.
Collaros will have other options in the pass game as Ontaria Wilson and Keric Wheatfall have some big play ability, but of course, it will be Brady Oliveira who stirs the drink.
The 28-year-old led the league in scrimmage yards with 1,709 despite missing three games with a shoulder injury early in the year. The reigning Most Outstanding Player also led the league in yards per carry (5.8), while sitting second in receptions amongst backs (61).
It won’t come easy against an Alouettes defence that has playmakers at all three levels, which includes five East All-CFL members. Starting on the defensive line, where even without Johnson, Canadian edge Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund and tackle Shawn Oakman headline a strong group. Both were named division All-CFL members while Adeyemi-Berglund is up for the Most Outstanding Canadian award after being one of only four players this season to have double digit sacks.
Montreal’s linebacking core is also arguably the best in the league, as the duo of Darnell Sankey and Tyrice Beverette claimed both East All-CFL linebacker spots. The duo combined for an outstanding 193 tackles, nine sacks, four tackles for loss, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles. If this front seven can contain Oliveira, Winnipeg could be in trouble.
And you can’t forget about Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Wesley Sutton, Lorenzo Burns, and Kabion Ento making plays on the back end either.
Overall, the defence allowed the least number of yards per game, allowed the least number of big plays, and registered the most forced fumbles and sacks, all while players were in and out of the lineup all season.
That’s elite stuff.
Winnipeg’s defensive unit might not feature the same number of disruptors that Montreal’s has, but there are no slouches either.
Edge Willie Jefferson always heats up when the weather gets cooler, linebacker Tony Jones enjoyed a breakout season finishing second in total tackles (104) to go along with three sacks and two interceptions, while the back end has playmakers all around in Demerio Houston, Deatrick Nichols, and Evan Holm.
The unit finished top three in points and yards allowed per game, while forcing opponents to the lowest second down conversion rate north of the border (43.6 per cent). The unit was especially good against the pass, and with all those former All-CFL team members in the defensive back room that were mentioned, that’s no surprise. But they’ll try to lock down what is arguably the best receiving core in the CFL in Montreal.
It’s a good thing the team feature’s Grey Cup Most Outstanding Canadian Tyson Philpot, former 1,000-yard receiver Austin Mack, and East All-CFL member Tyler Snead as Montreal has struggled to run the ball all year.
Despite having three East All-CFL members up front in centre Justin Lawrence, guard Pier-Olivier Lestage, and tackle Nick Callender, the unit is better in pass protection. And while Sean Thomas Erlington and Travis Theis are both healthy and available after being banged up, the team finished second last in rushing yards per game.
Both of these teams are also fantastic on specials, arguably the two best. Most Outstanding Rookie and Moust Outstanding Special Teams player finalist Trey Vaval is more than electric in the return game for Winnipeg, as is a healthy James Letcher Jr. for Montreal, as was evident during their Grey Cup run in 2023. Both teams also feature elite kicking, as Sergio Castillo and Jose Maltos are among the best clutch and long-distance kickers in the league.
Overall, Montreal comes into this one having won five of their last six games, with their win streak snapped last week by the Bombers in a backup-filled matinee. Winnipeg also won the meeting back in Week 12 between the teams, but Alexander wasn’t available, so neither previous matchup can truly be used as a measuring stick game.
Winnipeg is chasing history while Alexander is looking to prove it on the big stage, what more can you ask for?
