Alouettes aim to be first team to clinch playoff berth at Blue Bombers

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th August, 20:32 2026

Nov 16, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander (10) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the 112th Grey Cup Championship at Princess Auto Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Montreal Alouettes aim to become the first team to punch its ticket to the postseason when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday.

Winners of seven in a row, the Alouettes (9-1) can secure a playoff berth with a victory over the Blue Bombers (5-5) in addition to wins this weekend by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-7, versus the Calgary Stampeders) and Ottawa RedBlacks (0-10, against the B.C. Lions). Those results would guarantee a postseason spot for Montreal, given that none of the West representatives could cross over and surpass it.

The Alouettes can secure a playoff berth and a home playoff game with a win over Winnipeg and a loss by the Tiger-Cats to the Stampeders.

"There are a lot of people that are saying that we're peaking too early, but every game we get better," Montreal linebacker Geoff Cantin-Arku said. "I'm just curious to see how good we can actually be."

Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander joined defensive back Kabion Ento in being named CFL Players of the Week following their respective performances in the team's 46-16 shellacking of the winless RedBlacks on Aug. 20.

Alexander completed 20 of 23 pass attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns versus Ottawa. He has thrown for a CFL-best 3,400 yards, which puts him on pace to surpass the franchise record of 6,280 yards by Anthony Calvillo in 2004.

Alouettes star Tyson Philpot leads the league in catches (83), receiving yards (1,229) and receiving touchdowns (nine), with teammate Tyler Snead residing second in receiving yards (982) and third in receptions (58).

Ento returned an interception for a touchdown and recovered a fumble and returned it 49 yards to secure another score versus Ottawa.

While impressed by what Montreal brings to the table, Winnipeg head coach Mike O'Shea isn't willing to count out his team.

"We shouldn't be looking for a larger margin of error," O'Shea said. "Nobody plays a perfect game, but you should be looking to play as tight, as clean a game as possible.

"There will be mistakes (by our team), but they'll make mistakes, too. Are we gonna capitalize on them? This is where the games get really fun."

Brady Oliveira, who leads the CFL with 850 rushing yards, scampered for 118 yards in the Blue Bombers' 22-19 setback to the host Edmonton Elks last Friday.

--Field Level Media

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