MontrealAlouettes.com
TORONTO – There’s always a little more on the line whenever the Alouettes face the Argonauts, but their encounter on Sunday takes things to a whole other level.
With Montreal (8-6) holding a slim lead over Toronto (7-7) for the East Division lead, this match-up’s playoff implications are huge. An Als win clinches a home playoff game for Marc Trestman’s squad and would put them in the driver’s seat with a two-game cushion over the Argos with only three games left in the regular season. A loss would knot the teams at 8-7 and give Toronto the tie-breaker over Montreal by virtue of them winning the season series between the longtime rivals.
If this game has a playoff feel it will be because it’s the closest thing to a postseason game you can find in October in the CFL right now.
Without the services of the likes of star running back Brandon Whitaker or leading receiver S.J. Green, the Alouettes are coming off two straight losses. They won’t get much sympathy from the Argos who boast their own marquee absentee in starting quarterback Ricky Ray who will miss his fourth straight game after suffering a knee injury against the Alouettes back on September 23.
With an important clash on the menu for Sunday, here’s a primer for what promises to be yet another memorable Fan Train battle for the Alouettes and Argos.
Life of Brian: The 2012 season has been a tough one for veteran receiver Brian Bratton. Sidelined for a combined five of the Alouettes games so far this year, the normally highly-durable eight-year CFLer has been in and out of the lineup this year. Set to return on Sunday against the Argos, the team should be just as giddy to see him back on the field. The Alouettes are 7-2 with No. 85 in uniform and a scant 1-4 without him. I think we speak for the entire organization when we say: Welcome back, Brian!
Sugar Shea: After sitting out the end of 2011 due to a concussion, it’s been a long road back for linebacker Shea Emry. Facing the uncertainty of how his body would react to once again steamrolling opponents for a living heading into training camp, Emry has instead given opponents headaches this year. Having already blown past his career high with 73 tackles this season, his six sacks are also double his combined career total heading into 2012.
Workin’ for the weekend?: After a long week at work, who doesn’t enjoy some well-deserved weekend downtime, right? The Alouettes would tend to agree. In games played on week days this season, the Als are a tidy 6-2. Weekend matchups have been another story. The Alouettes are 2-3 including 2-1 on Sundays and 0-2 on Saturdays.
