Montreal Alouettes Aim for Top Performance Against Struggling Ottawa Redblacks in Playoff Push

The Montreal Alouettes are gearing up for a crucial playoff push as they face off against the struggling Ottawa Redblacks. Currently holding an 8-7 record, the Alouettes have already secured a playoff spot thanks to the Ottawa Redblacks’ recent loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. This victory ensures that Montreal will host a playoff game next month.

Game Expectations

Despite their playoff position, the Alouettes are eager to maintain momentum as they approach their Thanksgiving Day matchup at Percival Molson Stadium. Coach Jason Maas emphasized the importance of continuous improvement. “You want to be playing your best football,” he stated. In order to achieve this, the team must focus on winning each upcoming game.

Playoff Scenarios

The Alouettes still have a chance to finish atop the East Division, contingent on winning their remaining games and hoping that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats lose their final match against Ottawa. If successful, Montreal could secure a bye to the Eastern Final on November 8.

Redblacks’ Challenges

The Ottawa Redblacks, on the other hand, are facing significant challenges this season. With a disappointing 4-11 record, they are set to miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six years. Their situation worsened with the news of starting quarterback Dru Brown being sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Backup Dustin Crum will step in as the starter.

• Dustin Crum’s stats this season:
  • 147 completions out of 205 attempts
  • 1,609 passing yards
  • 6 touchdowns
  • 2 interceptions

Player Milestones

Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander is aiming to improve his impressive starting record to 10-0. Meanwhile, wide receiver Tyler Snead is just 20 yards shy of reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the season, a mark he desires to hit. Snead expressed that achieving this goal would be a testament to his hard work throughout a challenging season.

Additionally, Ottawa’s wide receivers, Justin Hardy and Eugene Lewis, are also close to the 1,000-yard milestone, sitting at 63 and 47 yards away, respectively. The Alouettes have enjoyed a dominant run against Ottawa, with nine consecutive wins dating back to October 2022.

Honoring Legends

This upcoming game will also feature a special halftime ceremony honoring two recently inducted members of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame: offensive lineman Bryan Chiu and wide receiver Jermaine Copeland. Chiu dedicated his entire 13-year career to the Alouettes, while Copeland made significant contributions during his initial four CFL seasons with the team.

As the Alouettes take the field this Thanksgiving, they are not only striving for victory but also to solidify their status as a top contender in the league.