One could apply a caveat to the Montreal Alouettes’ 2-0 start since they faced backup quarterbacks from Ottawa and Hamilton, two teams that on paper are among the weakest in the league.
On the other hand, Montreal hasn’t allowed a touchdown yet, which is saying something in the offense-friendly CFL. And an offense piloted by veteran Cody Fajardo appeared to find its sea legs in last week’s 38-12 rout of the Tiger-Cats.
The Alouettes might find out how good they are Saturday night when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a perennial West power that’s coming off a rare blowout loss last week.
Fajardo, who fell out of favor last year in Saskatchewan when the Roughriders collapsed in the season’s second half, was 19 of 25 for 202 yards and two scores last week in Hamilton.
“It was a three-phase game,” Fajardo said. “We found a way to finish on defense, offense and special teams. I was really proud of the offense because we finished with touchdowns in the red zone and our defense held them to field goals in the red zone. That’s usually the biggest difference between winning and losing.”
While Montreal is tied for the top spot in the East with Toronto, Winnipeg (2-1) finds itself in unfamiliar territory after absorbing a 30-6 beating on June 22 against the B.C. Lions. The Lions became the first West team to win in Winnipeg in five years.
And this wasn’t some squeaker decided on a weird bounce or a flag. B.C. led 17-6 at halftime and pulled away from that point, sacking quarterback Zach Collaros seven times. The Blue Bombers lost their poise, committing 11 penalties.
“We were behind in a bunch of categories that determine the outcome of games, usually,” said Winnipeg coach Mike O’Shea. “We always look at the tape to see the reasons why you win or lose and I think it will be quite evident. It’ll make sense.”
Blue Bombers offensive lineman Stanley Bryant didn’t sound like someone who needed an extended look at the replay to see why his team suffered a rare beatdown.
“We just got whupped, basically,” he said.
–Field Level Media