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The Alouettes have feasted on the CFL’s weak sisters this season, which perhaps makes their 9-7 record misleading, but they know wounded teams can be the most dangerous.
The Edmonton Elks (4-12) have been eliminated from playoff contention, but remain a threat when the teams meet Saturday afternoon (4 p.m., TSN1, TSN5, RDS, CJAD Radio-800, 98.5 FM) at Commonwealth Stadium. After starting the season with nine straight defeats, Edmonton has gone 4-3 despite a current two-game losing streak.
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An Alouettes victory would secure second place in the East Division and a home semifinal playoff date against Hamilton on Nov. 4.
“Playing against someone with quote-unquote nothing to lose are usually really good games because they’re throwing everything they can,” said new middle-linebacker Darnell Sankey, who joined Montreal in mid-September. “I take every game the same way and never overlook an opponent. They might not be in the playoffs, but they’re still a great team. We can’t underestimate them. We’ll be ready to go.”
Montreal has won its last three games, beating Calgary and Ottawa twice. Indeed, the Alouettes are undefeated in nine games against teams with .500 or losing records, but have lost all seven matches against Toronto, Winnipeg and B.C.
After defeating the Redblacks last Monday, the Alouettes had to prepare for their next opponent on a short week and with only one practice day, on Thursday, combined with a lengthy cross-country flight on Friday. But it’s not the first time such obstacles have been placed in front of head coach Jason Maas. He gave the players Tuesday and Wednesday off.
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“Focus is the big key,” he said. “Rest and focus is what we talked about. Our key to success is we want our guys to be excited every day to come into the building. That’s why we give them so much time off.
“We’re approaching the game like any other, putting our best guys out there to play and win. We don’t focus on the game. We focus on the process, to try and get better. That doesn’t change, whether we’re in the playoffs or not.”
While the Elks’ season will once again end in disappointment, their fortunes changed when Canadian Tre Ford became the starting quarterback. In 14 games, Ford has passed for 1,565 yards and 10 touchdowns while throwing six interceptions. He has completed 68.6 per cent of his attempts.
But it’s on the ground where the 6-foot-1, 185-pound native of Niagara Falls, Ont., is most effective. Ford has gained 561 yards on 59 carries (9.5-yard average) while scoring three touchdowns. He has provided Edmonton with a glimmer of hope for the future.
“I think he has done a tremendous job getting his first real shot at it,” Maas said. “He’s athletic and impressive and makes good decisions. He’s dangerous, obviously, with the ball in his hands. He’s throwing it well and is accurate. He’s making a lot of plays. Obviously, he has won games as well.”
The Alouettes have made no roster changes for the game. That means global player Jose Maltos remains the kicker for the injured David Côté, while tailback Walter Fletcher continues to replace William Stanback. Maltos made two of four field goals against the Redblacks, missing from 48 and 49 yards.
Montreal has their third and final bye week in the schedule following the game, meaning Maas, who lives in the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park, can sleep in his own bed and work from home next week for the first time since April.
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