Ottawa set to host Montreal in battle of East Division rivals

Ottawa REDBLACKS

After suffering their first loss of the 2019 CFL calendar in Week 4 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Ottawa REDBLACKS return to TD Place just over a week later, looking to get back in the win column against their divisional rivals, the Montreal Alouettes.

The REDBLACKS, currently second in the East Division with a record of 2-1, will also be playing their first game against an East opponent this year.

While the REDBLACKS will be looking to find their groove again after a stumble against Winnipeg, Montreal comes to town on the heels of an impressive win over Hamilton. Still, Ottawa has seen regular success against the Als since the REDBLACKS joined the CFL. Last year, the REDBLACKS went 2-1 against the Alouettes, on top of having a great record of 10-5 against Montreal ever since Ottawa has joined the CFL in 2014. But every year is different and this game will feature two teams looking to make statements and move up the standings.

Storylines

Offence looking to get back on track

After failing to record a touchdown in Week 4, the REDBLACKS’ offence is hungrier than ever to come out strong and put points on the board. That said, Ottawa did put up points thanks to a pair of field goals and a touchdown off a fumble recovery from Jonathan Rose.

Second place at stake

It is still pretty early in the 2019 CFL calendar, but Ottawa and Montreal are already about to play in a game that will have a pretty big impact in the standings, due in large part to the Alouettes’ surprise win over the Ti-Cats last week. An Ottawa win would have them at the very least remain in second place in the East, or could potentially tie them for first place with a Hamilton loss to Calgary on Saturday. If Montreal was to win this game, they would pull even with the REDBLACKS for second in the East.

Scouting the opposition

The William Stanback show

In the Alouettes 36-29 win over Hamilton last week, the unanimous MVP in that game was running back William Stanback, who ran the ball 22 times for a total of 203 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and a 46-yard reception. Stanback was notably named Week 4’s Top Performer in the CFL and currently leads the league in rushing yards with 357 yards on 44 carries, for an impressive average of 8.1 yards per carry. Stanback will most definitely be the player to watch for the Als on Saturday.

Vernon Adams Jr. or Antonio Pipkin?

It was probably not the way he would’ve wanted to, but Alouettes QB Vernon Adams Jr. jumped on the opportunity that was offered to him in Week 1 when Antonio Pipkin went down due to an ankle injury. Since then, Adams Jr. has seized the opportunity and ran with it. In the three games he has appeared in, the fourth year quarterback has thrown for 509 yards and two touchdowns on 35 completions, as well as two interceptions. Adams Jr. has also rushed for 114 yards on 19 attempts, adding a rushing touchdown to his tally this year. With Pipkin returning to practice this week and taking some reps with the starters, it will be interesting to see who will be named QB1 when and if Pipkin is deemed healthy enough to play this week.

GAME INFO

Ottawa REDBLACKS vs Montreal Alouettes | Week 5 – July 13th, 2019

Kickoff – 4 p.m. ET | TD Place Stadium

BROADCAST INFO

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