The Montreal Alouettes’ defense has been – with good reason – often praised in recent weeks. But to win in the Eastern final against the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday at BMO Field, Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes offensive unit will have to generate points. Lots of points.
The Argos’ offense was the second-most productive in the CFL in 2023 with 591 points, just three fewer than the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who will host the BC Lions in the West final. That of the Alouettes? Fourth on the Ambrosie circuit with 442 points, still around fifty less than the Lions (493).
“Their attack is formidable and they have been consistent throughout the season,” noted Calvillo, the offensive coordinator, near the snow-covered synthetic surface between the Olympic Stadium and the Saputo Stadium. For our part, we must contribute and maximize our opportunities in the paying zone, not just kick placements. »
“I have confidence in our defense, but you approach each game with the objective of scoring several points,” added head coach Jason Maas. We want to end each offensive push with points.
“Everyone is speculating on how many points we will need to win. I’ll say this: we’re going to need one more than them. »
And according to both men, there is no secret to getting there.
“It’s hard to predict what we’ll need from week to week because every defense presents you with a different face,” Maas said. We will want to score points, protect the ball and keep our defense off the field. You want to do this every week.
“In the last game of the season I thought our second down conversions weren’t very good, but last week it was excellent. We have taken a step in the right direction. Obviously, scoring points when you get to the opponent’s 20 line will be huge in this match. »
An aspect with which the Alouettes have had difficulty this season.
“Last week we gave up an interception in the pay zone,” Calvillo said. We challenged the decision because we believed there had been obstruction, but in the end the decision was upheld. We only scored one touchdown in three possessions inside the opponent’s 20 line. It’s been a bit of our Achilles tendon all season. We have to find what will give us a better chance of winning, without complicating anything. We think we found it. Now all that remains is to execute it. »
Aside from a few children, perhaps the only person who was delighted by the first snowfall in Montreal was Maas on that Thursday, some 12 hours before his troops flew to Toronto.
“It’s been great training. The only thing we haven’t had to deal with from a meteorological point of view is snow,” he argued near the synthetic field that the Alouettes had to clear by themselves, even if ‘they are tenants of the place.
“We warned players at the start of the season: don’t look at the weather forecast; whatever happens, we will get out. We had to work to make the pitch passable, but then we delivered excellent training, in a mentally difficult environment. It’s stuff like this that I believe in us. »
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday. The winners will earn their spot in the Gray Cup, which will be played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton next weekend.
