Official Game Day Thread - Montreal @ Winnipeg, August 28, 2026

[Jesse]

Otherwise known as the guy worse than Kelly if we're applying Singer / Cobb logic (although I'm being a bit unfair there and know it).

O'Shea needs to get more comfortable with playing his younger players. There were a few times Vaval was beat cold but recovered because he's the superior athlete. Moxey and Nichols can both sit for the rest of the year.

Maybe everyone doesn't need to be 32 years old.

This is what players need to do under this coaching philosophy. You get an opportunity and you make the most of it. In the past few weeks we've seen Smith, Vaval, and now Texada take that opportunity.

We've also seen guys get a shot and be invisible and we never see them again.

[Jesse]

Otherwise known as the guy worse than Kelly if we're applying Singer / Cobb logic (although I'm being a bit unfair there and know it).

O'Shea needs to get more comfortable with playing his younger players. There were a few times Vaval was beat cold but recovered because he's the superior athlete. Moxey and Nichols can both sit for the rest of the year.

Maybe everyone doesn't need to be 32 years old.

Also, do you know who I didn't see out there at all?

[Blueforlife]

Things this game showed/reinforced:
1. Zach can still play a complete game and be good to great, can take a lick and just needs a few plays to shake it off
2. OL when in sync can protect and creates good holes for Brady
3. White and Wilson are amazing and while not elite, close enough for #1 receivers in my books
4. Brady will not be benched or spelled for Peterson, full stop and is still near the best in the land
5. Brady is worth every penny
6. Our depth at LB is our strength, they help on teams (block anybody?) rotate at LB to keep us fresh and dropped back as DBs to help our depth there
7. OC can call an elite game, I'll eat bird on this one, playing calling was as good as I can remember, creativity was A+, variety was on point, execution was smooth, run and throw mix was perfect
8. Smith will be a beast
9. Texada with seasoning should at least be a good depth guy
10. TJ is a top LB
11. Youngers schemes can work against a top team, QB and offense
12. We can plan great in all 3 phases for 60
13. The fair weather crowd has reduced the actual butts in the stands a little more than I like
14. Clercius is starting to flash
15. Cobb isn't good enough, I really hope he would at least get a ball, there was one thrown to him but somebody screwed up that one
16. Daniels is a key piece, blocks and get touches
17. Vaval can play D (rotate) and doesn't impact his energy on returns, lots of bird for me on this one, seams very durable and physical
18. We can beat a top team, I didn't expect that but was encouraged by half a good game last week lol
19. Our run D can be amazing, did not see that coming
20.  We are still in the hunt as long as we at least split with Sask
21.  This game means nothing unless can do it again (Doug Browns thoughts not mine, but on point)
22.  DL is very good unit

[tlf]

Do you know what this game showed me? We don't get up for every game or prepare for every game like we do for the top team..and we should.  The Coordinators need to work on that.

Enjoyable game, let's do this on repeat!

[J5V]

Do you know what this game showed me? We don't get up for every game or prepare for every game like we do for the top team..and we should.  The Coordinators need to work on that.

Enjoyable game, let's do this on repeat!

Is that even possible?

[tlf]

Is that even possible?

Did we think last night was going to happen? Of course it is!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Also, do you know who I didn't see out there at all?

Haha it's true. You're right. It's annoying he has to be on the roster at all. But whatever.

[Blue In BC]

Things this game showed/reinforced:
1. Zach can still play a complete game and be good to great, can take a lick and just needs a few plays to shake it off
2. OL when in sync can protect and creates good holes for Brady
3. White and Wilson are amazing and while not elite, close enough for #1 receivers in my books
4. Brady will not be benched or spelled for Peterson, full stop and is still near the best in the land
5. Brady is worth every penny
6. Our depth at LB is our strength, they help on teams (block anybody?) rotate at LB to keep us fresh and dropped back as DBs to help our depth there
7. OC can call an elite game, I'll eat bird on this one, playing calling was as good as I can remember, creativity was A+, variety was on point, execution was smooth, run and throw mix was perfect
8. Smith will be a beast
9. Texada with seasoning should at least be a good depth guy
10. TJ is a top LB
11. Youngers schemes can work against a top team, QB and offense
12. We can plan great in all 3 phases for 60
13. The fair weather crowd has reduced the actual butts in the stands a little more than I like
14. Clercius is starting to flash
15. Cobb isn't good enough, I really hope he would at least get a ball, there was one thrown to him but somebody screwed up that one
16. Daniels is a key piece, blocks and get touches
17. Vaval can play D (rotate) and doesn't impact his energy on returns, lots of bird for me on this one, seams very durable and physical
18. We can beat a top team, I didn't expect that but was encouraged by half a good game last week lol
19. Our run D can be amazing, did not see that coming
20.  We are still in the hunt as long as we at least split with Sask
21.  This game means nothing unless can do it again (Doug Browns thoughts not mine, but on point)
22.  DL is very good unit

Quite a few points I disagree with you on. Too many to go into detail on each.

However our defence in the 1st half was not very good. If not for our offence winning TOP and field position, it might have been a different story.

Theis only had 8 rushes so I wouldn't be blushing about our run defence either. It's still a weakness when teams choose to use it. Montreal is primarily a strong passing team.

Kick coverage and return game were not our best outing. Blocking a punt was an exceptional play at a critical time.

It's easy to overlook the flaws when we dominate in one area. In this game our offence owned the Als.

[Blueforlife]

Quite a few points I disagree with you on. Too many to go into detail on each.

However our defence in the 1st half was not very good. If not for our offence winning TOP and field position, it might have been a different story.

Theis only had 8 rushes so I wouldn't be blushing about our run defence either. It's still a weakness when teams choose to use it. Montreal is primarily a strong passing team.

Kick coverage and return game were not our best outing. Blocking a punt was an exceptional play at a critical time.

It's easy to overlook the flaws when we dominate in one area. In this game our offence owned the Als.

All three phases played very well imo and the folks on CJOB said the same (including Brown).  Yes the D was a little leaky to start but held Alexander to 200 yards passing until garbage time, which is exceptional.

We eliminated the run full stop.  The run D was exceptional.

Our D good better as the game went on.

Easy not to give credit when trying to sell ones own narrative.

One game isn't a huge deal but enough to celebrate and give props to. One of the best and most complete games in a very long time.

Our kick coverage was below average Our return game was fine imo.  We had exceptional field position all game.  We had better kickoffs and punts than them.

Yes they are a passing team but you are giving us no credit for our strong run D and great game from the D.  Here are the facts (googled, not fact checked)

The Montreal Alouettes lead the CFL averaging 118.8 rushing yards per game for the 2026 season.Key Rushing StatsTeam Rank: 1st in the CFLTop Rusher: Travis Theis stands third in the league with a 6.6-yard average.

They run the rock well, they have the best offense imo and Theis is a beast that we made look very average.  We took  away the run as it simply wasn't working.

[Blue In BC]

All three phases played very well imo and the folks on CJOB said the same (including Brown).  Yes the D was a little leaky to start but held Alexander to 200 yards passing until garbage time, which is exceptional.

We eliminated the run full stop.  The run D was exceptional.

Our D good better as the game went on.

Easy not to give credit when trying to sell ones own narrative.

One game isn't a huge deal but enough to celebrate and give props to. One of the best and most complete games in a very long time.

Our kick coverage was below average Our return game was fine imo.  We had exceptional field position all game.  We had better kickoffs and punts than them.

The Als hardly had the ball in the 1st half and scored 3 TD's. That is not good defence. OTOH, we shut them down in the 2nd half until the last few minutes when we went into prevent defence. Giving up 2 quick TD's in short play drives is more than shaky. One drive was 3 plays.

We didn't eliminate the run. Our offence got up early, stayed up and controlled the TOP. The Als didn't try to run the ball.

Talk about a poster trying to sell his own narrative. Look in the mirror and put the pom poms down.

We only punted twice and the Als returned those for 34 and 18 yards respectively. That is not good by any definition. 6 K/O returns for 24.5 yard average. Also not very good.

[Blueforlife]

The Als hardly had the ball in the 1st half and scored 3 TD's. That is bot good defence. OTOH, we shut them down in the 2nd half until the last few minutes when we went into prevent defence. Giving up 2 quick TD's in short play drives is more than shaky. One drive was 3 plays.

We didn't eliminate the run. Our offence got up early, stayed up and controlled the TOP. The Als didn't try to run the ball.

Talk about a poster trying to sell his own narrative. Look in the mirror and put the pom poms down.

Ah the personal shots return.  Wow.  No pom poms just my opinion,  calling it like I see it.  Please stop making it personal.  Thanks, for the hundredth time.

We stopped the run full stop.  Als are best at it.  You tried to down sell it and I provided the facts.  Here are more Als had 51 yards on the ground, 4.6 average.  Less than half of normal.  That is a complete shutdown.  We got to Alexander, rattled him and D did good enough against the pass late to limit his effectiveness.  DL got in his face, key point.

The D started weak as mentioned and tightened up.  We limited the best team to 200 yards in the air and nothing on the ground until garbage time.  That a big victory for the D.

Never said the D didn't have things to clean up, which they do.  It was too easy for them 1st half to get TDs but we cleaned that up 2nd half and stuffed them big time.  If we had a good FS and got Kramdi back on LB we would be decent.

We went prevent late in the game which worked perfectly.  We were in control of this game for most of it.  Could have put up 55 pts if everything went our way.

We played a good game and you are understating the success to sell your narrative a little here imo.  I'm trying to sell mine too for sure but lets keep the debate going without making it personal.  I deeply value your posts and opinions.

One thing I thought sucked yesterday was the refs.

[Freebird]

I just re-watched some of the highlights and Wilson's second TD on the lob pass looked like it grazed his face mask again.

Should he learn to catch a little further out from his body?

[Blue In BC]

Ah the personal shots return.  Wow.  No pom poms just my opinion,  calling it like I see it.  Please stop making it personal.  Thanks, for the hundredth time.

We stopped the run full stop.  Als are best at it.  You tried to down sell it and I provided the facts.  Here are more Als had 51 yards on the ground, 4.6 average.  Less than half of normal.  That is a complete shutdown.  We got to Alexander, rattled him and D did good enough against the pass late to limit his effectiveness.  DL got in his face, key point.

The D started weak as mentioned and tightened up.  We limited the best team to 200 yards in the air and nothing on the ground until garbage time.  That a big victory for the D.

Never said the D didn't have things to clean up, which they do.  It was too easy for them 1st half to get TDs but we cleaned that up 2nd half and stuffed them big time.  If we had a good FS and got Kramdi back on LB we would be decent.

We went prevent late in the game which worked perfectly.  We were in control of this game for most of it.  Could have put up 55 pts if everything went our way.

We played a good game and you are understating the success to sell your narrative a little here imo.  I'm trying to sell mine too for sure but lets keep the debate going without making it personal.  I deeply value your posts and opinions.

One thing I thought sucked yesterday was the refs.

Watch the 1st half of the game again. You're overstating what the defence accomplished or didn't accomplish. You see things though blue tinted glasses. Our offence owned the 1st half. The defence did not based on the scores they gave up and the small amount of time they had to score.

While the exact portion of that yardage gained in the first half isn't explicitly separated in the game logs, the vast majority of their production came before halftime as quarterback Davis Alexander and wideout Tyler Snead connected on three first-half touchdowns to keep the game a close, high-scoring affair before Winnipeg's defense shut them down later in the game.

While exact minute-by-minute possession logs aren't broken down by quarter in the game statistics, the first quarter opened with Winnipeg eating up a massive portion of the clock

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers put together sustained offensive sequences that chewed up a massive chunk of time, but the Montreal Alouettes stayed dangerously close due to quick-strike scoring plays and a monumental defensive play right before the whistle.

Bombers won TOP 33:51 to 26:09 ( approx 8 minutes )

Bombers ran 63 plays compared to 51 and 33 to 23 in the 1st half

[Jesse]

Ah the personal shots return.  Wow.  No pom poms just my opinion,  calling it like I see it.  Please stop making it personal.  Thanks, for the hundredth time.

Which personal shot?

The only thing said was about a poster pushing their own narrative and you were the one who said it.

[dd]

ahhh, The BFL rhetoric kills this forum again