MONTREAL \u2013 The Toronto Argonauts and Montreal Alouettes meet for the second time this season when they square off at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
Montreal secured an impressive 28-10 win over Toronto in Week 1.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Thursday\u2019s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN and RDS in Canada, CFL+ internationally and on CBSSN in the U.S.<\/p>\n
RELATED TORONTO ARGONAUTS<\/p>\n 1. DEONTA MCMAHON MAKES HIS RETURN<\/p>\n The Argos\u2019 run game has struggled so far this season, and if they hope to get it going, it\u2019ll be up to Deonta McMahon<\/a> to get comfortable quickly after being out since Week 2 with an ankle injury. Without quarterback Chad Kelly<\/a> for at least another week, McMahon should see consistent handoffs as head coach Ryan Dinwiddie tries to keep the Als\u2019 defence off balance. Montreal won\u2019t make it easy, as they lead the league in average rushing yards allowed per game.<\/p>\n 2. HOLDING STRONG UP FRONT<\/p>\n As much as their own run game needs to get going, the same could be said for stopping opposing rushers. Alouettes running back Sean Thomas Erlington is having a respectable season, putting up 5.2 yards per carry, so the offensive line \u2013 led by Andrew Chatfield \u2013 needs to be ready.<\/p>\n 3. THE ARM OF NICK ARBUCKLE<\/p>\n It seems like everyone is waiting on Kelly\u2019s return, but current starter Nick Arbuckle<\/a> has held his own with 1,449 yards and seven touchdowns, totals that rank third and tied for second in the league. He\u2019ll have to take care of the ball this week against a talented Als secondary that has seven interceptions, the same number Arbuckle has thrown.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n 1. DAVIS ALEXANDER BACK UNDER CENTRE<\/p>\n The Alouettes\u2019 offence will get a much-needed boost with quarterback Davis Alexander<\/a> returning. Alexander has been out since Week 3, and in the two games he missed, the Als averaged 18.5 points. Over his three starts this season, they\u2019ve put up an average of 35 points per game.<\/p>\n 2. GETTING OPEN FOR DAVIS ALEXANDER<\/p>\n As Alexander gets comfortable in the pocket, it\u2019s the job of star receivers Tyson Philpot<\/a> and Austin Mack, along with the supporting cast of Tyler Snead<\/a>, Cole Spieker<\/a> and Charleston Rambo, to give him open targets.<\/p>\n 3. PROTECTING THE PIVOT<\/p>\n With their quarterback working his way back from an injury, limiting the contact he faces is imperative. Montreal\u2019s seven sacks allowed are the fourth most. At a position that rarely gets the glory but is necessary for scoring points, offensive linemen Nick Callender, Justin Lawrence<\/a>, Pier-Olivier Lestage<\/a>, Jamar McGloster<\/a> and Donald Ventrelli have to be on their game to stop the Argos pass rushers.<\/p>\n NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
\u00bb Depth Charts: TOR<\/a> | MTL<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Game Notes: Argonauts at Alouettes<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Tickets: Toronto at Montreal<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Injury Reports: Stay up to date<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Who\u2019s gonna win? Play CFL Pick \u2018Em presented by Old Dutch now!<\/a>
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