Grey Cup Showdown: Montreal vs Saskatchewan Keys to Victory
It’s finally here— the 112th Grey Cup is set to light up Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg this Sunday, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On one side, we have the West Division champions, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, making their first Grey Cup appearance since their 2013 triumph. On the other, the East Division champions, the Montreal Alouettes, who are back for the second time in three years after their 2023 success. With these two elite teams so evenly matched, every play will matter, and every mistake could be costly.
For Montreal, there are three clear keys to securing victory. First, getting to Trevor Harris early will be crucial. The Alouettes boast a fierce defensive front that has co-led the league with 45 sacks during the regular season, and they’ve added three more in the playoffs. If defensive tackle Mustafa Johnson can return from his shoulder injury, his presence alongside Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund and Tyrice Beverette could make life very difficult for Harris, preventing him from spreading the ball effectively. Second, Montreal will need to lean on the leg of kicker José Maltos-DÃaz. Points are expected to be at a premium, and his post-season performance has already shown he can deliver when it counts, with six game-winning field goals to his name. Third, the Alouettes must get running back Stevie Scott III involved early. With Davis Alexander’s hamstring still a concern, Scott’s rushing ability—evident in his 133-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Eastern Semi-Final—will be key to controlling the pace of the game.
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Saskatchewan has its own three priorities. Establishing AJ Ouellette as a major factor from the first play will set the tone offensively. Ouellette rushed for 113 yards in the Western Final, showing the impact he can have when fed early. Second, the Roughriders must play to their defensive strengths. Ranked as the league’s top run defense and a team capable of forcing turnovers, Saskatchewan’s ability to stop the run and pressure opposing quarterbacks will be decisive. Third, spreading the ball around is critical. With receivers KeeSean Johnson and Joe Robustelli ruled out, Trevor Harris will rely on a deep corps including Mitchell Picton, Ajou Ajou, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, and Dohnte Meyers. Last weekend, six receivers caught multiple passes, and keeping the defense guessing will be essential.
Beyond strategy, emotion and experience will play huge roles. Saskatchewan’s team features a mix of seasoned Grey Cup winners and hungry first-time contenders. Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick and quarterback Trevor Harris have both spoken about focusing solely on execution and winning this game, not just showing up. Meanwhile, Montreal’s disciplined defense and balanced attack will ensure no margin for error. This matchup promises to be a physical, knock-down, drag-out battle, with the championship likely decided by who makes the big play at the pivotal moment.
With history, family legacies, and the pursuit of glory on the line, the 112th Grey Cup is shaping up to be a showdown that fans won’t forget. Execution, resilience, and seizing opportunities in the heat of battle will decide which team walks away with the coveted trophy.
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