Inside the CFL: Nine thoughts on nine teams at season's halfway mark

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As the CFL turns the corner this weekend on the final half of the regular-season schedule, here are nine thoughts on nine teams — with plenty of bonus reflections on the Alouettes.

Montreal

Kudos to the Als for having a winning record — barely — through nine games considering they’re without injured starting quarterback Davis Alexander, receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, defensive-tackle Mustafa Johnson, cornerback Kabion Ento and returner James Letcher Jr.

But Montreal also started the season 3-0, is on a two-game losing streak heading into B.C. Saturday night (7 p.m., TSN1, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM) and appears to be sinking fast. We’d suggest the Als are in danger of missing the playoffs, but Ottawa and Toronto might be worse.

McLeod Bethel-Thompson clearly wasn’t the solution when Alexander injured his hamstring, and now the Als have turned to Caleb Evans. While Bethel-Thompson now, conveniently, is on the six-game injured list (elbow), remember that he overthrew an open Tyler Snead in the end zone — with a bad elbow, supposedly — on the play preceding the Tyrell Ford interception that was returned for a touchdown.

Had that play been converted, the Als probably would have beaten Edmonton — and Bethel-Thompson would be playing Saturday. Instead, Montreal lost by one point, as it did earlier this season at home against the Lions. And it also defeated the Argonauts by a point on July 17.

The Als could be 7-2. They also could be 4-5. This team has trouble completing games and continually shoots itself in the foot with careless mistakes. An offside penalty against Geoffrey Cantin-Arku on a late kickoff last week forced the play to be repeated — which resulted in a 23-yard swing in Edmonton’s favour — eventually leading to the winning touchdown.

When the defence requires a stop, it has been unable to produce — as was the case against the Lions, leading to Sean Whyte’s winning 43-yard field goal on the final play. It was a misconduct penalty against guard Pier-Olivier Lestage that provided B.C. with improved field position.

We find it interesting head coach Jason Maas has put no timetable on Alexander’s return from the six-game injured list, meaning it could be much more serious. This uncertainty should have Als fans concerned.

We believed the Als were onto something following their 2023 Grey Cup victory. But that now appears to be an aberration. If the Als are under the salary cap, will owner Pierre Karl Péladeau do something to stop the bleeding? Or will he have a knee-jerk reaction come November should things continue in a downward spiral? It’s not like he makes money on the team.

Ottawa

The Redblacks can be competitive when QB Dru Brown is on his game, but he’s continually injured and left Thursday’s game at Winnipeg after clutching his knee. This is a team that always appears stuck in neutral, never able to take the next step. Free agents — receiver Eugene Lewis, tailback William Stanback — are signed because management believes they’ll provide the missing pieces to the puzzle. Instead, the club always appears to be lacking something.

Toronto

How the mighty have fallen. The Argos won the Grey Cup last season, but are floundering without injured QB Chad Kelly. Everyone underestimated how much his absence would mean. His replacement, Nick Arbuckle, was named the Cup’s most valuable player, but has proven to be nothing more than a one-hit wonder. And head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, judging by his frequent post-game comments, appears to be at wit’s end finding solutions. There’s the potential of a second-half surge — like last season — should Kelly return.

Hamilton

It begins and ends with QB Bo Levi Mitchell. We thought, at age 35, he might be done. Instead, he’s the CFL’s leading passer and will probably be named its outstanding player. The addition of receiver Kenny Lawler has been huge and, combined with Tim White, provides the Tiger-Cats with two dangerous threats. The East Division goes through Hamilton. First-year GM Ted Goveia is battling cancer. Don’t think the players aren’t using this as motivation in their pursuit of a championship.

Winnipeg

The Blue Bombers have had a great run, with five consecutive Cup appearances, albeit three straight defeats. Is it over? Perhaps. The team’s inconsistent. QB Zach Collaros, 36, shows his age and still throws too many interceptions. But Winnipeg still has RB Brady Oliveira and defensive-end Willie Jefferson.

Saskatchewan

Perhaps the most complete team from top to bottom, and QB Trevor Harris, at 39, is aging like fine wine. But if they reach the Grey Cup and the game comes down to a field goal, is Brett Lauther reliable?

Calgary

The Stampeders went 5-12-1 last season, ending their 18-year playoff streak. Calgary (6-3) already has surpassed that and has thrived under QB Vernon Adams Jr. Defensive-tackle Jaylon Hutchings has six sacks, while Canadian cornerback Adrian Greene has four interceptions.

Edmonton

Is it too late for the Elks, or can QB Cody Fajardo turn their season around? There are some pieces in RB Justin Rankin and returner Javon Leake, but this once-great franchise is stuck in mediocrity.

B.C.

Canadian QB Nathan Rourke, the league’s highest-paid player, passed for 408 yards last week against Hamilton. The Lions are a dangerous and explosive offensive team, but have struggled defensively at times.