Montreal Alouettes stellar defence loses bit of its lustre past two weeks

On paper the Montreal Alouettes still have the best defence in the CFL. But the unit has taken huge hits the past two weeks.

Over the span, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers - two East Division rivals with losing records - have put up stellar numbers against the Alouettes.

Two weeks ago, Ticats starter Kevin Glenn threw for 505 yards and three TDs in a 41-38 loss to Montreal. Then on Saturday, the Bombers' Michael Bishop passed for 411 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-24 home win over the Als.

Hamilton and Winnipeg rolled up 579 and 511 yards, respectively, of total offence against a usually stingy Montreal unit that had averaged less than 300 yards against. And they both basically did it through the air, a surprise given the Alouettes' ability to pressure the passer (second in CFL with 38 sacks).

Montreal's defence still dominates the CFL stats, standing first in 18 of the league's 25 defensive categories. But its play the past two weeks has prompted whispers throughout the league that the Ticats found a weakness or two they figured they could exploit and the Blue Bombers picked up on that in their defensive film study of the Alouettes.

Glenn and Bishop weren't the only offensive players to enjoy success against Montreal.

Arland Bruce III had nine catches for 155 yards and a TD in Hamilton's loss while Winnipeg receivers Terrence Edwards (six catches, 156 yards, one TD) and Titus Ryan (four catches, 140 yards, one TD) excelled in their club's victory.

What's more, the Bombers' defence sacked Montreal quarterback Adrian McPherson four times. McPherson got the start ahead of injured veteran Anthony Calvillo (calf).

Montreal went into the game tied with Winnipeg for the fewest sacks allowed in the CFL (both at 25) but fell to second as the Bombers kept the Alouettes defenders off Bishop on Saturday.

Despite its play the past two weeks, the Alouettes remain first in the CFL in fewest yards allowed (311 per game), points allowed (18.4 per game) and rushing yards (81 per game). But Montreal is fourth overall in passing yards (254 per game) and average gain per pass (7.8 yards).

Montreal also remains first in takeaways with 55, including a league-high 17 turnovers on downs. And with the offence giving up a CFL-low 30 turnovers, the Alouettes are a league-best plus-25 in giveaways-takeaways.

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PLAYOFF SCENARIOS: The CFL playoff picture still remains muddled heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.

The Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders have already cemented post-season berths in the West Division, although they remain tied for top spot with 9-6-1 records. Both are on the road Saturday, with the Stamps visiting the B.C. Lions and the Riders in Hamilton.

Calgary can cement a home playoff game with a win or tie against the Lions. Saskatchewan can do so with a win, Lions' loss or with a tie and B.C. tie.

The third-place Lions (8-8) would clinch a playoff berth with a win over Calgary or losses by both Hamilton and Winnipeg.

The Ticats and Bombers enter weekend action tied for second in the East Division with 7-9 records. Both would clinch playoff berths with victories - Winnipeg faces league-leading Montreal (13-3) on Sunday - and Edmonton losing to Toronto on Friday.

The Eskimos (7-9, fourth in West) would clinch a playoff berth with a win over Toronto, then having both Hamilton and Winnipeg lose their weekend games.

The Alouettes are the only CFL team to have cemented a berth in division final by virtue of tying up top spot in the East Division.

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REAVES WATCH - Veteran Kerry Joseph will get the start Friday night when the Toronto Argonauts visit the Edmonton Eskimos. But head coach Bart Andrus will look for an opportunity to get rookie Stephen Reaves into the game.

"I want to see him in a game, I think he's capable," Andrus said. "He's a guy to me that has a lot of upside.

"He's young and I think it's got to be the right situation but it's got to be when it counts and matters. I look to try and work him in a series or two here and there throughout the game."

Reaves has served as Joseph's backup the last two weeks with veteran Cody Pickett recovering from an oblique injury.

The 24-year-old left-hander played his college football at Southern Mississippi - NFL star Brett Favre's alma mater. But he comes by his football acumen honestly.

Last year, he was with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, serving as a quarterback coaching intern. His father, John, was an all-American at Florida and the NCAA's all-time leading passer before spending 14 seasons in pro football (11 with the NFL, three more in the now-defunct USFL). His brother, David, is the quarterback coach at the University of Tennessee, where his brother-in-law, Lane Kiffin, is the head coach.

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NOTES - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats placed running back Tyler Ebell on their practice roster Monday. The Ticats are the Ebell's third team this season. He was released during training camp by the Toronto Argonauts, then was added to the B.C. Lions' practice roster. Ebell missed all of the 2008 season with Toronto after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon … The B.C. Lions added defensive backs Jamar Love and Stanley Franks as well as running back Brad Lester to their practice roster … Defensive back Lin J Shell (undisclosed) and kick-returner Dominque Dorsey (ankle) are both questionable for Toronto's game Friday night in Edmonton. Andrus said chances are good Dorsey will suit up for the Argos' season finale against Montreal on Nov. 7 at Rogers Centre.