CFL 2023 Playoffs Eastern Final Review: Alouettes Shockingly Blow Out Argos in Toronto

  

Grey Cup/Coupe Grey

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

The Alouettes de Montréal pulled off a huge upset yesterday in Toronto. The Argonauts had lost only two games all season, and had sported a perfect record against Eastern teams in particular.

But that changed yesterday in the East Final.

As it turns out, the Alouettes dominated the Argonauts. But it seemed early on that Toronto was on the right track. On their first drive, the Argonauts managed to drive all the way to the Montréal 6, and it seemed that they were going to put some points on the board to go ahead early. However, Montréal defensive back Marc-Antoine Dequoy picked off Toronto QB Chad Kelly after defensive pressure forced him to release the ball early. Dequoy took it all the way for a pick six, which proved a shocking turn of events.

It seemed to set the tone for the entire game. Toronto 's offense was explosive and dangerous all season, but Montréal got here because of an opportunistic and tough defense. 

Later on, in a drive that stretched from the late first quarter into the early part of the second quarter, Toronto was once again in scoring position. But the Alouettes defense had a successful goal line stand to deny the Argonauts again. That marked the second time in the game that the Argonauts were in position to score a touchdown, or at least a field goal, and came away with nothing. 

There was an exchange of field goals in the second quarter. Montréal went to the locker rooms with a 10-3 lead at the half. 

In the third quarter, the Alouettes defense kept forcing turnovers. Reggie Stubblefield intercepted Kelly, and Montréal's offense responded on the ensuing drive. It looked like they would have to settle for a field goal, until a huge penalty against Toronto gave the Alouettes another chance to add to their lead. Moments later, wide receiver Tyler Snead caught a pass from Cody Fajardo in the end zone. Now, the Alouettes enjoyed a commanding 17-3 lead. 

Did the Alouettes begin to relax at this point? If anything, Montréal's defense stepped it up another notch or two, harrassig Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly repeatedly on the next driving, and forcing another INT. Later in the third quarter, Kelly threw another pick six, this one to former Green Bay Packer cornerback Kabion Ento, who ran unopposed for another Alouettes touchdown to make it 24-3.

The Argos finally managed to get their first touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter. They were near the end zone again, when Cameron Dukes replaced Kell at quarterback, and then ran it in for the TD. That closed the gap to 24-10 with just under ten minutes left. Suddenly, the Toronto home crowd, and the team, felt that there might be a chance.

Whatever air was in their balloon was popped on the next play, however, when Montréal return man James Letcher Jr. ran it 105 yards for a touchdown, running sideways towards the end with not a defender nearby in order to milk some more time off the clock. It was 31-10, and time was clearly running out on the Argos. 

However, Toronto's offense finally showed some of it's explosiveness on the next drive, when Kelly connected with DaVaris Daniels for a 54-yard touchdown with 8:17 remaining. The Argonauts still had a shot. 

The Alouettes were able to take some time off the clock on the next drive, while their defense clamped down on Toronto. With just under two minutes left, Alouettes running back Jeshrun Antwi ran it in for another touchdown for the final nail in Toronto's coffin.

So the Alouettes shocked the Argonauts, and now head to the Grey Cup in Hamilton next Sunday, where they will meet the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 

CFL 2023 Recap: Montreal @ Toronto - Eastern Final