CFL

• CFL East: Alouettes show Argonauts how to be a real contender

  By Matt Flowers, Contributing Editor Toronto, Canada (Sports Network) - The Argonauts' 3-1 start had their fans talking about not only the playoffs, but the potential of making a good run at first in the east. That level of support got shot down in a huge way, courtesy of a 47-10 beat-down by the Montreal Alouettes.

  Regardless of how talented Montreal is as a team compared with the rest of the division, Toronto shared its loss with every other East rival, meaning making the playoffs is still a dream worth keeping alive.

  MONTREAL ALOUETTES It's the kind of performance Montreal fans have been dying to see, a complete game in all three areas and for four quarters. And no better time to do it than against the Als' biggest threat in their division.

  Anthony Calvillo was nearly flawless, going 30-for-36 for 394 yards and two touchdowns. The real story on offense, however, was Avon Cobourne, who compiled over 100 yards rushing and receiving.

  Aside from a Cobourne fumble, the Als as a team were almost perfect. The Toronto defense is not a pushover, but Montreal sure looked like a bully, adding to its lead with points scored throughout the eventual blowout.

  The game solidifies Montreal's status at this stage of the year as the best in not only the east, but the entire league. What better way to confirm that distinction than in an upcoming home game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders? Offensive key to the next game: Their last meeting with the Roughriders saw a combined total of 105 points scored. Montreal will not have as much wiggle room this time around, but Saskatchewan's defense has not improved to the same level as Montreal's since week one. Perhaps more importantly, the Riders' weakness, its special teams, has proven to be a major one. Maintaining better field position through special teams will be crucial. If Calvillo and Cobourne can find the end zone as easily as they did against Toronto, the Alouettes will get their revenge for giving away the game in Week 1.

  Defensive key to the next game: Darian Durant's game has slipped into bad Henry Burris territory, with Durant throwing away interceptions as if they were candy.

  The Riders' quarterback will look to bounce back and hit his spots this week, and Montreal has to be prepared for the potential gun show that saw Durant pass out nearly 500 yards in the first week of the season.

  Look ahead: If they hold out for a win against the Riders, the Als will be on the verge of virtually locking up their third straight East title. Montreal travels to Toronto in Week 7 before heading back home to face off against the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Going 3-0 over that span is highly probable.

  TORONTO ARGONAUTS There are not a lot of positive things to say about Toronto's effort in Week 5.

  Allowing a touchdown on Montreal's opening drive is hardly the way to send the message of being an eastern contender, though admittedly getting that TD back with one of its own the following possession is a terrific response.

  Unfortunately for the Argos, that touchdown may be that one positive thing that transpired in what was supposed to be a battle of the best in the East.

  The game was the perfect example of what critics believed would happen for Toronto - quarterback Cleo Lemon struggled mightily to connect with his receivers and the o-line failed to provide Lemon with the time he needs to execute.

  Perhaps the biggest message to come out of the contest was that the Argonauts will suffer if running back Cory Boyd is stifled.

  Toronto has done well to fight for its 3-2 record, though with Winnipeg not too far behind and a Hamilton team likely to eventually find its footing, the Argonauts' hold on second place is so much more precarious all of a sudden.

  Offensive key to the next game: Fortunately for the Argos, they travel to Edmonton next to face an out-of-sorts Eskimos side. Yes, Edmonton finally picked up its first win, but it sure wasn't pretty. Boyd will have a better game in Week 6 and likely will carry the Toronto side once again. Having said that, it's now time for Lemon to step out of the shoes of being a serviceable quarterback to one that can put together long drives on his own.

  Defensive key to the next game: The Eskimos' greatest problem offensively this season has been a case of the age-old football disease of butterfingers. Edmonton receivers did better last week to finally hold onto some catches, but can that continue? Toronto's defense, in particular its defensive line, may prove to be the story of this game if it can get to Ricky Ray and force the quarterback to throw difficult passes to a struggling receiving corps.

  Look ahead: Toronto has the opportunity to make up for its lackluster performance last week when they meet up with Montreal again in Week 8. This time they will be hosts, and so they better hope that advantage will be enough to kick-start the rest of their game. More than likely, Montreal comes in and leaves another reminder of what it means to be top dog.

  HAMILTON TIGER-CATS Almost as surprising as the winning start to Toronto's season has been the less-than-inspiring play of the Ti-Cats. Stumbling out of the gate with a 1-4 record was hardly foreseeable for a team many thought would at least compete with the Als for top billing in the East.

  Instead, Hamilton has found new ways to blow it every week. Last week, a terrible third quarter in which it allowed 13 points and scored none proved to be the difference in a 37-24 loss to Saskatchewan. Losing to the Roughriders is hardly something to lose sleep over, but when one of your receivers hits the record books with 16 catches for 272 yards, it's a little harder to feel ok with your game.

  Arland Bruce was a machine amongst men, picking up extra yardage as easy as a kid running around trees in a park. Everybody looked like they were standing still.

  As strange as Hamilton's season has been, it's about to get even weirder when it faces Winnipeg for the third time.

  Offensive key to the next game: The Ti-Cats' only win of the season came against Winnipeg in a solid 28-7 win. Defense won the game, but Glenn's zero interceptions looked even better against his three touchdown passes. Keep the errors to a minimum and another victory is in sight.

  Defensive key to the next game: Here is where things get strange. In the first meeting with the Blue Bombers, Hamilton allowed 49 points in an epic 20- point loss. In their second meeting, Winnipeg scored just seven points. So what team shows up in Week 6? Hard to say, but Hamilton would do well to make Steve Jyles scramble. The inexperienced quarterback hasn't quite figured out how to make something out of nothing, which plays right into the Ti-Cats hands'. Or paws, as it were.

  Look ahead: Hamilton and Winnipeg will be sick of each other soon, as they square off two weeks in a row. Incredibly crucial games for both sides, with each wanting more than to settle for a split in the home-and-home series. The good news for the Ti-Cats? They get to face Toronto instead of Montreal in Week 8.

  WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS There's no doubt the Blue Bombers have a bright future.

  The combination of Buck Pierce and Jyles can be a good one, provided Pierce stays healthy and Jyles learns how to use his talents.

  Fred Reid is a dynamic running back whose best playing days are ahead of him, while Terence Jeffers-Harris is a 22-year-old receiver with plenty of potential.

  The problem with this small sample is that all of the above players are struggling to find consistency. The Peg's offense has been one part awesome, two parts not-so-much. Last week was a dose of the not-so-much, with the attack scoring just twenty points against Calgary in a game that was there for the taking if they could have found that offensive punch.

  Offensive key to the next game: Winnipeg was at its worst offensively the last time it faced Hamilton, scoring just seven points. At least there's little place to go but up. The key for Winnipeg to catch up to Toronto in the standings is largely in the hands of veteran receiver Terrence Edwards.

  The rule of thumb is that a receiver is only as good as his quarterback. For the league leader in receiving yards, such an excuse is not good enough as he must be a leader on the field to help out a maturing Jyles.

  Defensive key to the next game: The Ti-Cats have some talented receivers. David Stala has been solid all year, while Arland Bruce is coming off one of the best games for a receiver in CFL history. With Kevin Glenn's ability to do some damage in the air, the potential for Hamilton to put up some big points is huge. Cut off the air game and force struggling DeAndra Cobb to try and pick up his team on the ground.

  Look ahead: With three straight games against eastern opponents, the time is here for Winnipeg to make a move. A road game against Montreal in week eight is hardly the way you want to go into a bye the following week, making its home- and-home series against the Ti-Cats all the more important. Aim for two wins over the next three.

  08/04 11:21:44 ET