Montreal @ Toronto preview
BMO Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 24, 2018 ) Toronto 22, Montreal 25
The Toronto Argonauts look to end a long losing skid when they visit the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday in a battle of the only two teams which have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Argonauts, who are the first defending Grey Cup champions to miss the playoffs the following year since 2006, suffered a 34-20 defeat to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 18 to see their losing streak grow to seven games, and hope to salvage some pride by beating the Alouettes for the third time in the last four meetings.
"We haven't been able to turn it around and do some of things we did a year ago in winning games," Toronto coach Marc Trestman told reporters. "I hold myself accountable for our record." The Alouettes were officially eliminated from playoff contention after suffering a 12-6 setback to the Calgary Stampeders on Oct. 8 and are coming off their week off on a four-game losing streak. Montreal's offence woes continue to be a major reason for its demise as it's been held to 14 or fewer points in seven games this season, including three times in the last four contests, to leave Johnny Manziel still searching for his first CFL win. "We didn't get to where we needed to be this season … but I don't see any quit from these guys," Manziel told reporters. "We need to work hard and get some wins throughout these next three games."
TV: 4 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2
ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (3-12): Offensive lineman Luc Brodeur-Jourdain missed practice with a foot injury and is questionable for Saturday's clash while wide receiver Joshua Stanford, who was acquired in a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders which sent offensive lineman Philip Blake and fullback Patrick Lavoie to Regina, is expected to make his Montreal debut. Wide receiver B.J. Cunningham and left tackle Tony Washington did not play against Calgary, but could return in time to face Toronto. Glenn Love is expected to take over one of the starting linebacker positions after Chris Ackie was shipped off to Ottawa on trade deadline day.
ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-12): James Franklin threw for 292 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his first start since losing the job to McLeod Bethel-Thompson on July 21. Veteran wide receiver S.J. Green caught seven passes for 127 yards and a touchdown against Hamilton to surpass 9,000 receiving yards for his career (9,006). Toronto made some moves during the week as it signed running back Travon Van, who has featured for three teams in his four-year CFL career, defensive back Caleb Ham - the son of CFL Hall of Famer Tracy Ham - and wide receiver Austin Duke to the practice squad Tuesday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Green needs 82 receiving yards to reach 1,000 for the sixth time in his career.
2. Montreal hasn't made the playoffs since 2014
3. The Alouettes are averaging a league-worst 16.9 points per game.
PREDICTION: Argonauts 24, Alouettes 21