Toronto Argonauts have no margin for error in crucial matchup vs. Alouettes

Time to stretch out the writing fingers for the newsletter and it comes at a critical point in the Toronto Argonauts season.

A few weeks ago Toronto was in decent shape despite being in third place in the CFL's East Division. However with three losses in their last four games, including two against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Argos don't have a secure hold on their playoff spot.

A lot of that has to do with Hamilton earning the season sweep which give them the tiebreaker and the Tiger-Cats victory over the B.C. Lions have them within striking distance of Toronto. Granted, the Argos can get some breathing room since they still have to play their game against the Montreal Alouettes.

A victory would provide Toronto some breathing room over Hamilton otherwise another loss will provide the Tiger-Cats with more hope of overtaking the Argonauts in the standings.

Speaking with head coach Ryan Dinwiddie this week, he believes the team has taken ownership for the last loss and understands that things need to be better.

"I trust those guys on that side of the ball, they've played well for us," Dinwiddie said about his defence's response to his crticism. "We've had our moments where we haven't played good football but it wasn't a good performance.

"I thought our offence and special teams did enough for us to win that game."

This will be the first time Chad Kelly plays against Montreal since the East Final and the quarterback isn't looking back at that game.

Dinwiddie echoed that sentiment.

"You can't live in the past, I think you have to learn from it," Dinwiddie said. "We can't be careless with the football and try not to do too much.

"That's what got us in trouble in the East final . . . take care of the football, make the routine plays and get the ball into our playmakers' hands."

Kelly has been guilty of that since returning this season and it can't be overstated how crucial it is for the Argos quarterback to not provide the Alouettes with free possessions off of turnovers.

"We know they do a lot of great things on defence and move around really well," Kelly said after practice. "They're very well coached, play sound football and we got to make sure that we stay focused throughout the game."

Lineup juggling

Ryan Hunter will move from left guard to left tackle on the offensive line with Isiah Cage out with a oblique/hip injury. Dinwiddie is comfortable with Hunter making the move as he thinks the veteran is really capable of playing anywhere on the line while Dylan Giffen will into take Hunter's position.

Dejon Brissett makes his return after a tough knee injury kept him out for a lengthy period and the Argos could use his playmaking ability. Janarion Grant is also back after missing the Tiger-Cats game with a chest injury.