3 keys to victory for Winnipeg, Montreal in the Eastern Final presented by Wegovy®
Minas Panagiotakis/CFL.ca
Player in navy uniform leaps for football while being defended by player in white uniform.
MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes welcome the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the Eastern Final presented by Wegovy® on Saturday afternoon.
Winnipeg defeated the Toronto Argonauts 25-22 on the road in the Eastern Semi-Final presented by Wegovy®.
Montreal was on a bye after winning the East Division with a 14-4 record.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN, CTV, Crave, and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
1. WHO STARTS UNDER CENTRE?
Quarterback Zach Collaros is listed as a game-time decision. If he starts, protection from his offensive line will be critical, as will his ability to find top receivers Tim White and Ontaria Wilson. If he isn’t ready, it'll be Dru Brown starting for a third straight game. Brown comes off a 206-yard, two-touchdown, and two-interception performance in the Eastern Semi-Final.
2. STOP THE BIG GAINS
Defensive backs Evan Holm, Redha Kramdi and Major Williams will be under the microscope given the Alouettes' impressive pass attack. The Bombers' secondary held one of the league’s top passers, Chad Kelly, to 18 completions for 193 yards last week. Next up is Most Outstanding Player Davis Alexander.
3. TURNOVERS AND PENALTIES
The Bombers need to limit mistakes if they want to advance to their sixth Grey Cup in the last seven years. The 11 penalties for 120 yards and four turnovers against the Argonauts won’t be good enough against an Als team that’s scored 150 points off turnovers.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
1. TYSON PHILPOT AND TYLER SNEAD
The playoffs can be a fresh start, but receivers Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead will look for more of the same from the regular season after finishing first and second, respectively, in receiving yards with 1,809 and 1,474. The duo has the unique game-changing ability to carry the offence.
2. PUT THE BRAKES ON BRADY OLIVEIRA
The Als’ front is responsible for closing gaps and wrapping up Brady Oliveira when they get the opportunity. They let the Bombers’ running back rush for 106 yards in a Week 13 loss before holding him to 44 yards in a Week 18 win. Linebackers Tyrice Beverette and Geoffrey Cantin-Arku will need to come ready to shut down the powerful rusher.
3. THE LINEMEN
The line of scrimmage will be an interesting watch. Offensively, Alexander is consistently given the time he needs to make plays by an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks this season. Defensively, they need to do a better job creating pressure after recording 27 sacks during the regular season, the second fewest. If defensive linemen Julian Howsare and Mustafa Johnson can find their way through, it will help limit the time their offence sits on the sidelines.
NEED TO KNOW:
Montreal beat Winnipeg 42-33 in last year’s Eastern Semi-Final.
Alouettes’ defensive back Lorenzo Burns led the league in pass knockdowns with 17. Blue Bombers’ defensive back Evan Holm was second with 15, and defensive lineman Willie Jefferson finished third with 13.
Alexander has averaged 10 yards per pass attempt this year.
Bombers’ returner Trey Vaval had a league-leading 1,066 punt return yards. He totalled 1,546 yards on kickoffs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN, CTV, Crave, and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.