Time for the Toronto Argonauts to show their best form against the Montreal Alouettes

It has been a grind the past three games for the Toronto Argonauts but the team hasn’t lost focus on their ultimate goal. As they kick off a home-and-home series against the Montreal Alouettes, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Boatmen.

The Argos have kept themselves in a situation where they control their destiny but if there are any lessons to learn from last season, establishing their playoff form will be crucial. Montreal won’t make it easy for Toronto to win this game which will be a good test of whether this team has what it takes.

“I think the guys are confident and we can’t be thinking we're gonna walk in and get it done,” said head coach Ryan Dinwiddie. “It's going to be a tough game. They are a team so we got to be mentally prepared to for a battle.”

Toronto ended their losing streak at Commonwealth Stadium last week and now they face another one at Percival Molson Stadium where they haven’t won since 2015.  What better motivation than knowing they won’t have to host an extra playoff game if they secure that all-important bye to the East Final.

“Home-field advantage, right?” said Dinwiddie said. “That’s why this game is so big, so we can get home-field advantage in the playoffs. It’s tough to win on the road especially these days so that’s why this game is so darn important.”

Keeping the run game in check

The Argos have struggled to defend the running game with Kevin Brown rushing for 121 yards in 19 carries, James Butler getting 82 yards on nine carries while the Calgary Stampeders put together 161 yards.

Montreal won’t make it any easier on them with William Stanback and Walter Fletcher in the backfield. In no way can the Argos take that duo lightly since Stanback rushed for 203 yards in a single game against them last season.

Fortunately for Toronto, the pass defence has stepped up in a big way but the team cannot take Trevor Harris lightly. He likes to get the ball off quick in hopes of keeping the pass rush from getting to him.

The goal for the defence should be to get Montreal in more passing situations and avoid having the run game eat away clock and getting the players tired.

Offence needs to find their rhythm and find the endzone through the air

Give credit where it is deserved, McLeod Bethel-Thompson leads the league with 4,491 yards this season but he’s only recorded 21 passing touchdowns. Now that has him third in the league which is nothing to brush off but he’s also behind Nathan Rourke who is second with 25 despite being sidelined with a foot injury and Zach Collaros is well ahead in the lead with 35.

Over the last three games, Bethel-Thompson only has two touchdowns through the air. The return of DaVaris Daniels was crucial as he found the endzone against Edmonton for his fourth of the season.

The Argos have made it known that they like to spread the ball around but on paper, this group should be better at finding the endzone. Not only that, they know they cannot afford a slot start in this game.

Muamba ready for playoff-like atmosphere in Montreal

There is no better feeling for Henoc Muamba than going into a hostile environment where the crowd is loud and tough.

The Alouettes have been drawing a strong crowd this season and Muamba is familiar with the impact they can have when they are engaged and involved with the game.

“They want to bring the team back to the history and the glory of old,” Muamba explained. “The fans definitely remember those days and that's what they want to see.”

Nothing would make the Argos and Muamba feel better than to send the Alouettes fans home unhappy. That starts with keeping the focus on the present and not too far ahead.

“It's about living in the moment, understanding the moment and not looking too far ahead. You don't get to next week without going through this game right here against Montreal,” Muamba said “And so that's the mentality. That's the mindset that we gotta approach this game.”

Andrew Harris making progress in his recovery

When Andrew Harris was diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle, no one expected to see him play another game in 2022. Now it appears the door hasn’t been completely shut on a possible return.

Even when he was in a sling, the Argos running back was doing what he could to have a presence with the team. He has been on the sidelines providing whatever support he can but now that includes him doing some work that suggests he is trying to get back to playing shape.

Then head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said that Harris could actually play in the team’s regular-season finale. He still needs the green light from the medical staff in order for that to be a possibility but he’s at least been cleared to do some light workouts on the field.

“When it happened, I thought for sure he's done for the year,” said Dinwiddie. Then slowly you see him running and improving, benching 80-pound dumbbells and it's like, ‘that's impressive.’ I was shocked.”

If Harris is able to suit up, it could provide Toronto with a formidable one-two punch with A.J. Ouellette who has stepped up in a big way. With the colder weather coming, the run game could be more of a factor, especially with two capable running backs that can produce.