Tiger-Cats and Alouettes Clash for East Division Lead
It’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing battles of the CFL season. On Saturday afternoon, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes will meet at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, and despite both teams riding losing streaks, first place in the East Division is still on the line.
The Tiger-Cats come into this matchup after suffering a heartbreaking Labour Day Classic loss to the Toronto Argonauts. They had the lead with less than 20 seconds remaining, only to watch it vanish on a walk-off field goal. That defeat extended Hamilton’s skid to three games, dropping their record to 6-5. The frustration for head coach Scott Milanovich has been clear—he has emphasized the need for discipline and execution, pointing out that too often, small lapses by individuals have added up to costly mistakes.
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Montreal, meanwhile, is fresh off a bye week but is carrying the weight of four consecutive losses. The Alouettes’ record sits at 5-6, yet with a win, they can draw even with Hamilton for first place in the East. The biggest storyline for Montreal is the return of several key players. Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot is back after missing two months with a hamstring injury, and receiver Austin Mack will also rejoin the lineup. Their presence is expected to inject life into an offence that has averaged fewer than 15 points per game during the losing streak. Defensive stalwart Marc-Antoine Dequoy also returns, giving Montreal’s secondary a much-needed boost.
The quarterback position remains a question mark for the Alouettes. With Davis Alexander still sidelined, James Morgan will make his second CFL start. His debut was uneven, featuring one touchdown but also two interceptions against Winnipeg. This time, though, he’ll have more weapons at his disposal, and with the support of Philpot and Mack, his confidence appears higher. Still, the Alouettes are 1-6 without Alexander under centre, so the pressure on Morgan is immense.
For Hamilton, the key to victory will be finding balance. Bo Levi Mitchell continues to put up strong numbers through the air—he’s thrown for over 3,400 yards and leads the league with 24 touchdown passes—but the run game has lagged behind, ranking near the bottom of the CFL. If running back Greg Bell can establish even a modest ground threat, Montreal’s defence will be forced to play more honestly, giving Mitchell more room to work. On the defensive side, the Tiger-Cats will need sustained pressure. Linebacker Devin Veresuk has emerged as a steady force, and their secondary will have to stay sharp against Montreal’s revitalized receiving corps.
For the Alouettes, containing Mitchell and limiting Hamilton’s big plays will be crucial. The veteran presence of Dequoy and Kabion Ento in the secondary could be the difference if they manage to disrupt the Ticats’ passing rhythm. Montreal’s defensive front, led by Mustafa Johnson in his long-awaited return, will also look to test Hamilton’s struggling run game while generating pressure on Mitchell.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Hamilton already won the first meeting back in Week 4, and this will be the final matchup of the regular season between these rivals. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, with both teams knowing that the path to hosting a playoff game may hinge on the outcome of this clash.
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