One gaudy streak is assured to come to an end on Saturday afternoon when the Montreal Alouettes host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Division semifinal.
On one side is Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander, who sports a scintillating 11-0 career record as a CFL starter — with seven of those wins coming this season. Alexander did not compete in 2025 against the Blue Bombers, who completed a two-game season sweep with a 19-10 victory last Saturday.
As for the Blue Bombers, they are bidding to reach the Grey Cup for the sixth consecutive season.
And things have gotten feisty in the run-up to the game, with Winnipeg defensive end Willie Jefferson providing the early fireworks.
“You’ve got to be able to go to somebody’s house, kick their door in and take everything off their table. That’s how it is,” Jefferson told his team’s website.
“Underdogs? Call us whatever you want. This is our opportunity. And so, offense, defense and special teams, we’re all going to bite down on our mouthpieces … and then we’ll line up and give it to them. That’s exactly how they want it. In their house. In that bird cage. Go over there and take them out.”
Needless to say, Alexander heard Jefferson loud and clear.
“I go and look for that type of stuff for whatever reason. It’s just what I like to do,” Alexander told the Winnipeg Free Press.
“Bring Willie over. Bring Winnipeg over. What does he say? Come on down over to Winnipeg? Come on over to Montreal, let’s see what happens.”
Zach Collaros will once again be under center for the Blue Bombers after sitting out last week with little on the line in the team’s regular-season finale.
Winnipeg will hope to see the return of Nic Demski from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury. Demski led the team in catches (67), receiving yards (1,001) and receiving touchdowns (seven).
Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira aims to scorch the Alouettes for the second time this season. He rolled up 137 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in a 26-13 win on Aug. 21.
Montreal will rely on receiver Tyler Snead, who led the team in catches (84) and receiving yards (1,129). He had a touchdown reception against the Blue Bombers on Aug. 21.
–Field Level Media
