Big crowd expected as Ottawa Redblacks can clinch playoff spot with win over Montreal Alouettes

Ottawa Redblacks coach Bob Dyce has confidence in the roster.

Published Sep 20, 2024  •  5 minute read

Montreal Alouettes returned James Letcher Jr. (89) eludes a tackle by Ottawa Redblacks linebacker Davion Taylor during a punt return in a CFL game on June 20, 2024. Photo by Christinne Muschi /THE CANADIAN PRESS

There are plenty of beefy storylines as the banged-up Ottawa Redblacks take on the Montreal Alouettes Saturday afternoon at TD Place.

Most importantly, it’s Win and You’re In for the Redblacks, who will clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2018 if they can beat the Alouettes.

Then, there’s this: The Redblacks, who have struggled at TD Place during their history, are unbeaten at home in 2024, with a record of six wins and a tie. An Ottawa CFL team has not finished the season unbeaten at home since 1969.

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And, there’s this: The Alouettes are riding their longest unbeaten road streak (8-0-1) since 1979 and have won their last nine games in Ottawa.

There’s also some good news: The Redblacks are expecting both good weather (the forecast is calling for 25C and sunny with cloudy breaks at the 3 p.m. game time) and a big crowd; it’s expected there will be more than 22,000 on hand to make some noise.

Oh, and add in some injuries to increase the drama: The Redblacks are now missing their entire starting linebacker corps. Frankie Griffin (ankle), Jovan Santos-Knox (knee) and Adarius Pickett (Achilles) are all on the six-game injured list, with Pickett gone for the year. Stepping in for Griffin is Davion Taylor, Tyron Vrede is in for Santos-Knox and Bennett Williams replaces Pickett. Also missing for the Redblacks are left tackle Dino Boyd (gone for the season with a bicep injury and replaced by Drake Centers) and right tackle Zack Pelehos (replaced by Jacob Ruby).

It’s not like Montreal doesn’t have its own share of injuries. Safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy (head) remains out and is being replaced by Ottawa’s Arthur Hamlin. Receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack are both on the six-game injured list.

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“We have confidence in everybody who’s on our roster,” Redblacks coach Bob Dyce said Friday. “The guys who are filling in are excited for the opportunity.”

Making the playoffs is a big deal, right? Especially after winning a total of 14 games the past four seasons?

“We understand we’re at that point of the season where we look at your record and where everybody else stands,” offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais said. “Of course, you want to be able to get into the playoffs, but as cliche and football-speak as it is, it really is like a 1-0 every-single-week mentality. Montreal is at the top of this league and we have a chance to show the league what we’re about and how we’ve evolved since we played them (a 47-21 Montreal win in Week 3).”

“We don’t focus on the two points (with a victory) per se, we focus on what we have to do to get those two points,” Dyce said. “When we win, that’s our prize, that’s our reward.”

“Obviously, it’s important … but, all of (the games) are,” Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown said: “There’s a bit of perspective that’s put on this game from the outside. But it’s just a job we have to do and execute. (If we do those things), it should end up the way we want it to.

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“Personally, I don’t think about the ramifications of a game, it’s more so just what we have to do to win that week.”

Okay, but what about all the lineup changes, does that throw things out of whack?

“Truthfully, it doesn’t change a whole lot,” Desjarlais said. “Most of us (offensive linemen) have been together for two years. We’re mostly on the same page. As far as communication goes, it’s trusting each other.”

“Everyone has to do their job,” Brown said. “I know that’s cliche and simple, but that’s what it comes down to, focusing on what you have to do, not trying to make up for someone else.”

It didn’t go well for Ottawa in a 37-21 loss in Hamilton a week ago. Other than the the obvious thing, the scoreboard, the Redblacks made five turnovers and took 10 penalties, with injuries making the day even more of a mess.

“We focus on the present, not the past,” Dyce said. “What we’re focused on right now is a game (Saturday) at 3 o’clock. You can’t give teams opportunities with turnovers. We have to make sure we keep our MEP — our mentals, our emotions and our physicality on point.”

DESJARLAIS STAYS: Ottawa is feeling like home for offensive lineman Drew Desjarlais, who agreed to a two-year extension that will keep him here through 2026.

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“He’s excited to be here, which makes me excited,” Dyce said. “If he got to free agency, he probably would have had plenty of teams looking to sign him.”

“For free agency, I saw such a great opportunity to come here. I saw great coaching, I saw a great fan base and a great city to play in,” Desjarlais said. “So, honestly it was a no-brainer to want to stay here.”

The 27-year-old Desjarlais signed a two-year deal with the Redblacks a year and a half ago, following a 2022 season where he spent time with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.

Desjarlais was selected fourth overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2019 CFL Draft, earning a starting job eight games into the season.

THE END AROUND: There will be some familiar faces in Montreal’s lineup: QB Dominique Davis, linebacker Frederic Chagnon, defensive lineman Avery Ellis, long-snapper Louis-Philippe Bourassa, offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon, kicker Jose Maltos and receiver Nate Behar all played with the Redblacks … Ottawa has opened the scoring in six of its games this year, winning each one … Als QB Cody Fajardo is a career 7-1 against Ottawa. In their Week 3 meeting, he passed for 393 yards and three touchdowns … Redblacks receiver Justin Hardy established a new career high in receiving yards last week (1,013) for his second consecutive season reaching the 1,000 mark. He leads the league with five 100-plus receiving yard games … Dominque Rhymes has had 10 receptions in each of his past two games, while totalling 267 yards and a touchdown. He is on pace for his third 1,000-yard season … Redblacks defensive lineman Cleyon Laing is one sack shy of becoming the ninth Canadian to reach 50 in his career … Maltos has a streak of 18 straight field goals for the Als.

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