{"id":851820,"date":"2026-08-09T13:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T13:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/851820\/"},"modified":"2026-08-09T13:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T13:04:11","slug":"zurkowsky-halfway-through-cfl-season-alouettes-look-like-the-team-to-beat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/851820\/","title":{"rendered":"Zurkowsky: Halfway through CFL season, Alouettes look like the team to beat"},"content":{"rendered":"

This was supposed to be the CFL game of the weekend, if not the first half of the season.<\/p>\n

And for the first 30 minutes Saturday afternoon at Molson Stadium, it appeared the Alouettes and Edmonton Elks \u2014 like two great heavyweights and, arguably, the league\u2019s two best teams to this juncture \u2014 would live up to the hype.<\/p>\n

They went toe-to-toe for 27 minutes, trading touchdowns. Only seven points separated the teams at the intermission. <\/p>\n

Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo<\/a> had predicted Friday the team with the ball last would prevail. How could Fajardo have fathomed he would be so terribly wrong?<\/p>\n

Like most great heavyweight title bouts, the sizzle exceeded the steak. And before it was over Fajardo, who led the Als to the Grey Cup in 2023 before being forced out by Davis Alexander<\/a> 13 months later, was on the bench \u2014 battered, bruised and defeated.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think (the Als) sent a message to the league,\u201d Fajardo, ever-ebullient, said following Montreal\u2019s 48-30 victory that wasn\u2019t nearly that close. \u201cWe\u2019re one of the top teams in this league and they beat us in all three phases. We knew it was going to be a dogfight but we also knew they were pissed off after we took them down at our place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a good football team,\u201d he added. \u201cThey beat us up pretty good and we\u2019ve got to be better. You know me. I\u2019m a competitor. I want to fight. I want to go out and finish with the ball in my hands for all four quarters. I\u2019m never happy with (being replaced), but I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CFL, a nine-team league, is unlike any other professional sports organization. It\u2019s quirky. It\u2019s unique. The Grey Cup has never been won in August, and football purists north of the border insist the real season doesn\u2019t begin until after Labour Day.<\/p>\n

But as the Als prepare for their second bye week of the regular season, they clearly are the league\u2019s most dominant team thus far.<\/p>\n

\"AlouettesAlouettes running-back Travis Theis is tackled by Elks defensive-lineman Gavin Meyer on Saturday at Molson Stadium. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Montreal has reached the halfway mark of its schedule with an 8-1 record. The team\u2019s only defeat occurred back on June 20, at Edmonton, in overtime. And even that was controversial. Safety Nate Beauchemin appeared to knock the ball out of bounds in overtime, which should have ended the game with the Als prevailing. But after a video review, it was determined an Edmonton player was the last to touch the loose ball.<\/p>\n

The Als were that close to being 9-0. Nonetheless, they\u2019re on a six-game winning streak. Granted, Montreal has yet to play Saskatchewan \u2014 the defending league champs and the only other franchise that appears to be a legitimate threat this season.<\/p>\n

If nothing else, the Als have assumed control of the East Division, should finish first and host the division final on Nov. 7; one game and one win from going to their third Grey Cup in four years. <\/p>\n

Toronto, with quarterback Chad Kelly, sits at 4-4 and could be considered a rival within striking distance. But the Argos have already lost once to Montreal this season. Hamilton, without injured QB Bo Levi Mitchell, has little hope. And winless Ottawa might as well begin preparing for 2027.<\/p>\n

Over the second half of the schedule, the mandate of Als head coach Jason Maas is simple. He can\u2019t allow his team to become complacent.<\/p>\n

He and the players who remain from 2024 need only to reflect on what transpired that season. Montreal (12-5-1) finished first in the division, five points ahead of Toronto and appeared primed to defend its title.<\/p>\n

The Als were 10-1 at the end of August, only to go 2-4-1 down the stretch, losing all their momentum. They weren\u2019t the hottest team going into the division final, and it showed when it mattered most.<\/p>\n

. Maas is determined not to let history repeat itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere might be 170 plays (combined) in a game. Trust me, there\u2019s plenty of plays to correct. That\u2019s what we focus on. We want to play to a certain standard, regardless of the score. There\u2019s plenty to improve on and we\u2019ll continue to work hard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s plenty of guys in this room that went through 2024. We have \u201924 on one of our logos for a reason. It serves as a reminder about wrapping it up early. But right now it\u2019s not wrapped up. We have to continue to play. I can assure you we\u2019ll continue to work and get better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"0809Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot celebrates one of his three touchdowns against the Elks on Saturday, Aug. 8. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

Better? It\u2019s hard to believe this team hasn\u2019t reached its ceiling, at least offensively. <\/p>\n

Alexander passed for 352 yards and four touchdowns against Edmonton. He appears to be the best player in the CFL. Receiver caught 10 passes for 131 yards and scored three touchdowns. He appears to be the best Canadian in the league. Fellow receiver Tyler Snead caught five passes for 146 yards and scored once. Tailback Travis Theis gained 100 yards on 14 carries and outplayed the Elks\u2019 Justin Rankin \u2014 who killed the Als the last time these teams played.<\/p>\n

Did we mention the Als were missing four defensive starters as well?<\/p>\n

The Als on Saturday sent a message to Edmonton and the rest of the league. They\u2019re the team to beat \u2014 at least as of now.<\/p>\n

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com<\/p>\n

\"0809Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander eludes Elks defensive-back Tyrell Ford during Saturday\u2019s game at Molson Stadium. Allen McInnis \/ Montreal Gazette<\/p>\n

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