The Montreal Alouettes are starting their CFL season on the road with a challenging matchup against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a rematch of last year’s Grey Cup. The Alouettes have undergone some roster changes during the offseason but have managed to retain much of their core talent.
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes aim to build on last season’s achievements with a tough Week 1 contest against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. They will be missing some key players from last year, including wide receiver Austin Mack, running back William Stanback, defensive end Lwal Uguak, linebacker Avery Williams, and defensive back Ciante Evans.
This week, the Alouettes will introduce some new faces to their starting lineup. Canadian defensive linemen Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund and Derek Wiggan, both acquired in free agency, will start at defensive end and defensive tackle, respectively. On offense, Joshua Donovan will make his first CFL start at right tackle, stepping in for the injured Jamar McGloster. Donovan joined the Alouettes last season and was on the practice roster.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Quarterback Zach Collaros enters this game without any preseason play, a situation that has previously led to underwhelming performances. For example, in 2022, he recorded just 188 passing yards after skipping preseason games. Collaros has had some of his least productive games over the last three years following rest periods before the Western Divisional final.
Winnipeg also faced significant roster changes this offseason. The retirement of defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, who had the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade among all free agents and excelled in both run defense and pass rushing, leaves a notable gap. Other departures include wide receiver Rasheed Bailey, weakside linebacker Malik Clements, offensive tackle Jemarcus Hardrick, cornerbacks Demerio Houston and Winston Rose, and defensive tackle Ricky Walker.
Despite these changes, the Bombers remain a formidable team. The Zach Collaros era in Winnipeg has been marked by consistent dominance, with key players like Oliveira, Schoen, Lawler, and Demski making their offense one of the most dangerous in the league.
Game Plan and Strategy
Facing Winnipeg, the Alouettes need a balanced attack to keep the defense guessing. In the Grey Cup, Montreal effectively used bubble screens to stretch the defense and create mismatches. To prevent a repeat of last season’s issues with sacks, Montreal must avoid running too many consecutive standard passing plays.
Cody Fajardo’s Quick Reads and Ball Distribution
For the Alouettes, quick decision-making from quarterback Cody Fajardo will be crucial. The starting receivers for this game include rookie Charleston Rambo, alongside Tyler Snead, Cole Spieker, Kaion Julien-Grant, and Tyson Philpot. Fajardo will need to quickly identify and trust the open receiver to mitigate the impact of Winnipeg’s pass rusher Willie Jefferson. The returning receivers in this lineup have proven reliable, making it essential for Fajardo to spread the ball effectively.
Strong Run Defense
Winnipeg heavily relies on their run game, led by running back Brady Oliveira, who had the most carries in the league last season. To increase their chances of winning, Montreal must aim to neutralize either the run or the pass game, making Winnipeg one-dimensional. Defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson, who had the third-highest run defense grade among linemen last year, will play a vital role, along with Derek Wiggan.
Lockdown Coverage
Last season, Montreal boasted one of the best pass defenses in the league. This year, they will need to maintain that standard against Winnipeg’s top receivers: Dalton Schoen, Kenny Lawler, and Nic Demski. Precision and communication among the Alouettes’ defensive backs will be critical, especially in handling crossing routes, which previously resulted in open receivers due to slow switches.
In summary, the Montreal Alouettes face a formidable challenge in their season opener against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. With strategic play calling, quick reads from Cody Fajardo, and a focus on strong run defense and effective coverage, the Alouettes can position themselves for a successful start to the season.
