The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes will battle in the CFL’s East semifinal for the third straight year, with a trip to Toronto on the line for both teams.
With some changes to the coaching staff and the roster, the Alouettes cemented their spot as the second-best team in the East with an 11-7 record. It was an improvement on their record a year ago, when they went 9-9.
The Tiger-Cats had overcome a tough start to the season and various injuries to qualify for the playoffs at 8-10. Hamilton did get some big victories against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions to gain momentum down the stretch.
Hamilton comes into this game with hopes of seeing its season eventually end with a return home for the Grey Cup, which will be played at Tim Hortons Field.
The real question is whether or not Montreal will attempt its quick-kick trick play that has caught other teams off guard.
Here is a capsule look at the East semifinal.
THE SCHEDULE
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET / Noon PT at Percival Molson Stadium.
THE LINE
The Alouettes were favoured by 3.5 points as of Friday afternoon, per FanDuel.
AT STAKE
Just like last season, the winner will travel to Toronto to face the Argoanuts in the East final, on Nov. 11.
SEASON SERIES
Montreal had Hamilton’s number during the regular season as it went 3-0 to sweep the season series.
The Alouettes took the first matchup in convincing fashion with Cody Fajardo throwing for 292 yards, two touchdowns while adding another on the ground in a 38-12 win. Matthew Shiltz threw for 345 yards but was unable to find the endzone and had two interceptions in his second start of the season.
In the second game of the series, Montreal would score 18 unanswered points in the fourth quarter with Fajardo overcoming two interceptions to beat the Tiger-Cats 27-14. A few days after the loss, the Tiger-Cats and offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell parted ways after the team recorded only one first down on offence in the second half of their loss.
The final matchup came in the final week of the regular season, with the Alouettes using three quarterbacks to squeak out a 22-20 win.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Alouettes ended an eight-year playoff drought with a 28-17 victory at home in the 2022 East semifinal against Hamilton. A big part of the win came from a strong first half, where Montreal built up a 22-6 lead.
After reaching the Grey Cup in 2019 and 2021 (the CFL season was cancelled in 2020), the Tiger-Cats were sent home early from the playoffs in a rare occurrence for the franchise. The Tiger-Cats had reached the East Final in three straight seasons.
Montreal would lose to Toronto in the East Final, with the Argonauts going on to win the Grey Cup.
THE COACHES
Jason Maas (Montreal) vs. Orlondo Steinauer (Hamilton)
Steinauer added president of football operations to his title with the Tiger-Cats as part of a reorganized front office.
The 50-year-old is in his fourth season as Hamilton’s head coach. He has a 29-29 record at the helm and helped the team reach back-to-back Grey Cup appearances in his first two seasons, but has been unable to help Hamilton end its championship drought.
Maas was hired by the Alouettes in the off-season after spending two years as the offensive co-ordinator for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Before joining Saskatchewan, Maas was the head coach of the Edmonton Elks for four seasons.
As a head coach, the former CFL quarterback has a 50-40 record and is 3-3 in the playoffs. Maas has never made it to the Grey Cup as a head coach, despite winning three championships as a player and one as an assistant.
Both Maas and Steinauer won Grey Cup rings as positional coaches with the Argos in 2012.
THE QUARTERBACKS
Cody Fajardo (Montreal) vs. Matthew Shiltz (Hamilton)
Fajardo joined Maas in Montreal in the off-season after spending three years with Saskatchewan. On paper, this was Fajardo’s second-best season as a starting quarterback, as he finished with 3,847 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, adding 341 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
One area of concern for Montreal is its ability to protect Fajardo. The Alouettes allowed 61 sacks, which was the second most given up by a team this season, with the Ottawa Redblacks leading the way with 71.
However, Fajardo can boast the fact that he was the most accurate quarterback in the league in 2023.
The real question for Hamilton is who it decided to give the start to in this game. Both Shiltz and Bo Levi Mitchell split time this season because of injuries and performance.
The Tiger-Cats listed Shiltz as the starting quarterback after completing 67.1 per cent of his passes for 1,556 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions while also recording 160 yards on 23 carries and one touchdown.
However, Steinauer told reporters that both quarterbacks will play in the East semifinal, so expect to see the former Grey Cup MVP to see action. It was expected after signing a three-year deal this past off-season that Mitchell would be the undisputed starter who would help lead Hamilton back to the Grey Cup, but it hasn’t gone exactly as planned.
The first season with the Tiger-Cats was a rough one for the 33-year-old, as he appeared in just six games, throwing for 1,031 yards six touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
THREE MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Alouettes offensive line vs. Ticats defensive line
Hamilton will look to make life difficult for Fajardo in the pocket. Montreal has struggled to keep defenders off its quarterback but the Tiger-Cats have just 41 sacks as a unit this season (Toronto leads the league, with 68).
One player who will hope to take advantage is Ja’Gared Davis, who returned to Hamilton after winning a ring with the Argonauts last season. The veteran pass rusher has appeared in only six games and hasn’t recorded a sack this season but Davis saves his best play for the playoffs.
The Alouettes running game isn’t featured like it has been in past seasons but they are averaging 102.2 yards per game. William Stanback led the way, with 800 yards (5.44 yards per carry) and two touchdowns
The veteran running back did put up his best game of the season against Hamilton, rushing for 106 yards in Week 9. If the Alouettes want to help Fajardo be successful against the Tiger-Cats defensive line, getting Stanback going will be crucial.
Alouettes defensive backs vs. Hamilton QBs
Montreal has been among the top teams in the CFL when it comes to forcing turnovers.
The Alouettes sit second in the league, behind Toronto, with 48 turnovers, including the third most-interceptions, with 22. Hamilton has struggled to play clean football as it has thrown 23 interceptions, the highest mark in the league.
Most Outstanding Canadian nominee Marc-Antoine Dequoy has five interceptions this season and will be a player to watch in the secondary.
Tim White vs. Austin Mack
Despite all the turmoil the Tiger-Cats offence had to deal with this season, Tim White still put up a stellar season, leading the league with 1,269 yards while also recording eight touchdowns and nine players of 30-plus yards.
Montreal will counter with rookie Austin Mack, who is the unquestioned leader of the Alouettes’ air attack after recording 1,154 yards, four touchdowns and nine plays of 30 yards or more.
The battle of the top receivers will be a fun matchup to watch, especially if either are able to break off for big plays.
PREDICTION
Montreal 27, Hamilton 24
