CFL 2023 Playoffs Eastern Final Preview: Can Alouettes Stun Argos in Toronto?

  

Grey Cup/Coupe Grey

Montréal Alouettes (12-7) at Toronto Argonauts (16-2)

The Alouettes enjoyed a solid game in the Eastern Semi-Final last weekend, eliminating their rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. That earned them the right to take the trip to Toronto to take on the CFL's best team, the defending champion Argonauts.

Toronto long ago clinched the top seed in the East. That's what happens when you cruise your way through a 16-2 regular season record, which is easily the best record in the league. They will enjoy the fruits of their labor by having home field advantage in tomorrow's game.

So the main question is, do the Montréal Alouettes have any real chance of dethroning the champions?

The short answer is yes, they do. Toronto is not invincible. After all, the Argos did not go undefeated. But they only lost two games, both to Western teams, Winnipeg and Calgary. The Alouettes would be wise to study the videotape of those games, as well as looking at what successes other teams enjoyed against the Argonauts this season. The Alouettes themselves lost each meeting against Toronto this season, but one good sign was that their best performance was their last one, where they kept it close and lost only narrowly. 

If Montréal can emulate that performance, and keep it close, they have a chance. But they will have to play their very best, and avoid mistakes, particularly turnovers. It might not be a bad idea to try a few surprises, perhaps a fake punt, or taking some chances with deep throws. 

So yes, I believe that Montréal has a chance in this one. However, the Argonauts won the Grey Cup last season, and then followed that up with an enormously successful 16-2 record this season. All of that happened for a reason. Toronto is good. They are very good, in fact. They have an explosive offense, and the Alouettes defense will have to try to contain that dangerous attack, or they will suffer through a long afternoon. 

The winner of this game will earn the honor of being the first team to qualify for this year's Grey Cup, which will be played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, next Sunday. While I do believe that Montréal has a chance in this one, it does not mean that I believe that they will. It is just too difficult to ignore just how impressive the Argonauts have been the past two seasons. That is why my pick for this one goes for the home team. 

My pick: Toronto