Courtesy Montreal Gazette:

The Alouettes will put up a brave front this week - as they should - while preparing for the playoffs. But there are some indisputable facts that require addressing.

Not only must the Als take the scenic route if they’re to qualify for their third successive Grey Cup berth - the reward for finishing third in the East Division is two games on the road - they must also prepare for a team they’ve yet to defeat this season.

Montreal’s 20-17 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Friday, combined with Toronto’s easy victory yesterday at Saskatchewan, means the Als must return here a week from today for the division semifinal. The Argonauts finished first in the East Division, gaining a bye to the division final.

In producing an 8-10 record this season - Montreal’s first losing campaign since the franchise returned to the CFL in 1996 - the Als lost three games to Winnipeg, which completed play with a 10-7-1 record.

The Als lost 32-23 here on July 5, squandering a 13-0 first-quarter lead in the process. Two weeks later at Molson Stadium, the Bombers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns en route to a 20-18 win. The third win on Friday should have the Bombers feeling confident.

“They probably feel good about themselves. They beat us three times and dominated us. We’ve yet to find a way to win,” veteran slotback Ben Cahoon said.

And they won’t, unless the Als can produce more consistency on offence while completing drives. Montreal had the ball slightly more than 33 minutes Friday, yet produced only two touchdowns.

Quarterback Marcus Brady led them on two straight first-half scoring drives, covering 68 and 70 yards. They resulted in a three-yard touchdown run by Avon Cobourne followed by a 19-yard pass to Cahoon. But during the final 42 minutes, all Montreal could muster was a field goal.

“We had opportunities, we just didn’t come up with plays. A lot of the stuff was self-inflicted. There were dropped balls, including some by myself. We just didn’t get moving offensively. We’ve got to find ways to put it together. It’s do or die now … win or go home. We’ll see how bad we want it. We’re due to overcome a lot of things,” wide-receiver Kerry Watkins said.

The Als squandered many opportunities.

During the third quarter, Montreal advanced to the Winnipeg 16. But after a pair of penalties, along with a sack, the Als were forced to attempt a 49-yard field goal by Damon Duval that was wide left. Late in the second quarter he missed a 50-yard try.

In the fourth quarter, the Als couldn’t get to the end zone from the Bombers’ 8, settling for a short field goal. A touchdown would have given the visitors a 21-20 lead. On the Als’ next possession, they were at the Winnipeg 39 after a 25-yard completion to Cahoon. But then Watkins was called for pass interference, moving Montreal out of field-goal range. Brady attempted passes to Watkins and Ashlan Davis, which were dropped.

Brady, who passed for 235 yards, will be the Als’ playoff quarterback. Jason Maas remained on the bench against Winnipeg, and probably is destined to stay there. With yet another injury to an offensive lineman - left-tackle Skip Seagraves suffered a season-ending torn patella tendon - the last thing the Als need is a pocket passer, like Maas. At least Brady provides the potential to make things happen with his feet.

“I look forward to the playoffs. I think we’ll be a tough team to beat. I feel good. I’m excited. I’m ready to speed up the week and get to the playoffs,” Brady said.

Notes - Cahoon is 10th in the league in career receiving yards, with 10,320, having passed Tommy Joe Coffey on Friday. His second-quarter TD was the 54th of his career, tying Peter Dalla Riva for the most in franchise history.