After more than a decade, the Montreal Alouettes are set to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern final on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Hamilton Stadium. This matchup marks the first encounter between these two teams in this round since 2014. As the Alouettes strive for a place in the Grey Cup, they find themselves up against a formidable opponent. Historical trends favor the Tiger-Cats, who have never lost to Montreal in a single-game format playoff since its introduction in 1973.
One of the key figures in this contest will be Davis Alexander, the Alouettes” starting quarterback. He boasts an impressive 12-0 record to start his career, including an undefeated 8-0 season in 2025. In the semifinal against Winnipeg, Alexander threw for 384 yards and one touchdown, despite two interceptions. This will be his first meeting with Hamilton this season, but he previously overcame them twice in 2024, throwing for a total of 509 yards and three touchdowns across those games.
On the other side, Bo Levi Mitchell has been a standout for the Tiger-Cats. The veteran quarterback, now 35 years old, threw for over 5,000 yards for the second consecutive season and led the league with 36 touchdown passes. His performance has earned him the nomination for the division”s most outstanding player award.
Defensively, the Alouettes” secondary faces a significant challenge against Hamilton”s talented receiving corps. Kenny Lawler led the league with 1,443 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, supported by fellow 1,000-yard receivers Kiondre Smith and Tim White. The Alouettes” recent semifinal victory came against a Blue Bombers team that was missing their top receiver, making this matchup a different test altogether.
Montreal”s defense will also need to address the running game effectively. In their earlier encounter this season, they struggled to contain Greg Bell, who rushed for 156 yards against them. However, the Alouettes found success in their semifinal, with Stevie Scott III gaining 133 yards on the ground. As the weather turns, establishing a strong running game may become critical.
Another intriguing aspect of this matchup is the presence of rookie linebacker Devin Veresuk for Hamilton. Drafted second overall last year, his inexperience could be a focal point for Montreal”s offensive strategy, especially as they look to exploit his role in stopping the run.
Both teams come into this game with different momentum. While the Tiger-Cats enjoyed a bye week after finishing first in the division, the Alouettes are riding high from their recent win. Last season, the Alouettes faced a similar situation and struggled against the Toronto Argonauts after a bye. The potential for rust in Hamilton”s performance could play a pivotal role in the outcome.
Special teams could also be a deciding factor in this clash. Jose Maltos set a franchise record with 58 field goals this season for Montreal, emphasizing their struggles to find the end zone. Meanwhile, Isaiah Wooden has made his mark for Hamilton with an impressive average of 15 yards on punt returns, including an 84-yard touchdown return.
In their divisional records, Hamilton was 7-1 while Montreal finished 6-2, showcasing both teams” ability to capitalize on their matchups against the Ottawa Redblacks and the Argonauts. The stage is set for a thrilling contest as these two storied franchises vie for a coveted spot in the Grey Cup.
