MontrealAlouettes.com
The Alouettes’ defence has excelled since the start of the season, both on the field and on paper.
After 13 weeks of action in the CFL, the Alouettes currently lead the league in a variety of defensive categories, while sitting second in a host more.
Here’s a numerical snapshot of the Alouettes work on defence so far this year.
86: Defensive tackles for linebacker Chip Cox. First in the category among his contemporaries, Cox’ closest rival is Edmonton’s Damaso Munoz with 68. But it’s another Eskimo that Cox has his sights set on, CFL single-season tackles record-holder J.C. Sherritt, who set the bar with 130 in 2012.
219: First downs allowed by the Alouettes’ defence so far this season, a category in which the team is also, appropriately, first.
64: First downs conceded to the run since the start of the season. The Alouettes also sit atop the summit for this stat, with six less than the Tiger-Cats who are second with 70.
7: Rushing TDs allowed by the Alouettes in 2013, another league best.
4.8: Average yards allowed per run by the Alouettes D, with Noel Thorpe’s men yielding the lowest average league-wide to opposing ball carriers. But the Alouettes don’t just prey on the ground.
249.2: Average passing yards allowed per game, which has allowed Montreal to remain one of only two teams to have not yet passed the 3,000 yards allowed mark so far in 2013.
132: First downs conceded to the pass since the start of the season. Although second in this category, the Alouettes have allowed just five more first downs than Saskatchewan (127), this week’s opponent at Percival Molson Stadium.
7.6: Yards allowed per pass during the 2013 campaign. Another category in which the Alouettes sit second, this time the Alouettes are allowing just 0.2 yards more per pass than the league-leading Lions (7.4).
14: Interceptions recorded by the team so far this season. As if passing against the Alouettes wasn’t already an unattractive proposition, this is another category in which the Alouettes lead.
314.9: Average yards allowed per game. While the Alouettes are second in this category, conceding 0.6 yards more per game than first-place B.C. (314.3), they’re allowing 12.1 less than third-place Saskatchewan (327.0).
28: Touchdowns allowed after twelve games this season. Good for third in the league, the Alouettes are nevertheless just one touchdown out of top spot, Saskatchewan and Toronto tied for first with 27.
