Eastern Final: Montreal Alouettes @ Toronto Argonauts

[Mocha]

Time for our D to force a big turnover now.

Bloody hell, I'm just gonna shut up now.

[jerrym]

And the Argos bury themselves by allowing a KR TD after making it just possible they could turn this disaster around.

[jerrym]

Wow! The Argos have not given up as Daniels scores on a long TD pass!

[kellynjk]

Quick touchdown - come on guys a few more plays like that and we can take the game!!!!

[kellynjk]

We're going to run out of time - ugh!!!

[jerrym]

Turnover 8!

[kellynjk]

No words for how disappointed I am at the moment!! I thought Montreal would be competitive, but I would never have forecast this win against the Argos. The worst game the Argos played all season - unfortunate that it was the most important game!!! Was so certain that the Argos would be going to the Grey Cup this year! Kudos to the Montreal defence, they played a hell of a game!!!!

[jerrym]

Should have been ninth turnover on easy potential INT.

[ArgoGabe22]

Argos we’re always kind of still in it. That KOR TD killed it.

[jerrym]

The Argos pulled a Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs. The difference is no matter how many times the Leafs blow it, their fans are back next year in full force. The Argos had a chance to build their fanbase in a major way and blew it.

[OV Argo]

Well, that should go down as one of the most disappointing & devastating losses in Argo history (up there with the 71 GC and the 88 East Final)

The 16 & 2 curse É

Feel bad for Chad Kelly to have his great season tarnished by a poor performance in the biggest game. But kudos to the Als D - they made plays.

And sorry, but the no Henoc mystery stills miffs me for this year.

[kellynjk]

Well the comparison to the Leafs is abit ridiculous - the Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup in 56 years, the Argos won the Grey Cup last year! Plus the Leafs have been knocked out the playoffs in the first round for 6 years and only managed to get out of the first round last year. The Leafs chocking for 7 years is not the same as the Argos losing the Eastern Final this year.

If the Argos continue to be a good, competitive team in the next few years hopefully they can really build their fanbase.

Gotta wonder if the fact that the Argos had no meaningful games since mid-September worked against them, maybe made them lose their competitive edge or their ability to win in tough situations. Certainly don't think it helped them!

[jerrym]

This game reminds me of the 16-7 upset of the New York Jets, 19 and half point underdogs over the Baltimore Colts in 1969, another horror show for me.

[Waffle]

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Smokeville—mighty Kelly has struck out

I guess there will be lots of time narrow to dissect this offensive embarrassment

[jerrym]

Well the comparison to the Leafs is abit ridiculous - the Leafs haven't won a Stanley Cup in 56 years, the Argos won the Grey Cup last year! Plus the Leafs have been knocked out the playoffs in the first round for 6 years and only managed to get out of the first round last year. The Leafs chocking for 7 years is not the same as the Argos losing the Eastern Final this year.

If the Argos continue to be a good, competitive team in the next few years hopefully they can really build their fanbase.

You misunderstood what I was trying to say. This year the Argos blew it just like the Leafs have done so often in the last half century against a team that is nowhere near its talent level. This was not a comparison of the histories of the two teams in the last half century plus. Furthermore, I'll be back next year, regardless of this year's disappointing end. Hell, I was a fan since 1959, sticking it out through the 1953-1982 Grey Cup famine. It is the opportunity to increase the fan base that most disappointed me when a crowd almost double the season average showed and the Argos had a clunker that is not likely to convert many new fans.

[Blue90]

Embarassing!

Brilliant coaching by Mr Dimwitty.

Two third down games by Kelly, instead of Dukes. Both attempts could have resulted in easy field goals.

Kelly should have been replaced in the second half. I love Chad Kelly, but he was absolutely terrible. One of the worst games ever by a CFL QB.

Totally unprepared this week for a not great Alouette team.

And no they are not the greatest CFL team ever! Regular season does not count.

[kellynjk]

You misunderstood what I was trying to say. This year the Argos blew it just like the Leafs have done so often in the last half century against a team that is nowhere near its talent level. This was not a comparison of the histories of the two teams in the last half century plus. Furthermore, I'll be back next year, regardless of this year's disappointing end. Hell, I was a fan since 1959, sticking it out through the 1953-1982 Grey Cup famine. It is the opportunity to increase the fan base that most disappointed me when a crowd almost double the season average showed and the Argos had a clunker that is not likely to convert many new fans.

Yeah I know what you mean and agree that it's a missed opportunity to really build the fanbase. It's a shame that the Argos who have had competitive teams for years have not managed to get more fans coming out, especially since they moved to BMO.

The Leafs on the other hand are pathetic, no matter how poorly they play, fans flock to the game in seats that are massively over-priced. And they have been in a number of playoff series over the past few years where they haven't even looked like they care if they win. Saw on the news the other day that the Leafs are listed as the most valuable franchise in The NHL (something like 2.65 Billion) and despite their sorry record MLSE still pours millions into them and the fans turn out every year. It's baffling to say the least!

[kellynjk]

Embarassing!

Brilliant coaching by Mr Dimwitty.

Two third down games by Kelly, instead of Dukes. Both attempts could have resulted in easy field goals.

Kelly should have been replaced in the second half. I love Chad Kelly, but he was absolutely terrible. One of the worst games ever by a CFL QB.

Totally unprepared this week for a not great Alouette team.

And no they are not the greatest CFL team ever! Regular season does not count.

Totally agree and was saying this during the game!! When it's apparent that Kelly was not looking good (I think Montreal's defence got in his head) Dinwiddie should have put Dukes in - what would they have to lose. It would be hard for Dukes to play any worse than Kelly did. Still think that the last six games the Argos played were not important really worked agains them. And definitely not the best team when they don't even win the Eastern final!!

[ArgoGabe22]

Kelly had multiple brain farts and tried being a hero. No shame losing a down and punting it away and trusting your defence. Especially in better field position or take the points in a FG. Instead Kelly was chucking ducks. It’s chess. Sacrifice the pawn for the smarter play.

[Skilz]

Kelly had multiple brain farts and tried being a hero. No shame losing a down and punting it away and trusting your defence. Especially in better field position or take the points in a FG. Instead Kelly was chucking ducks. It’s chess. Sacrifice the pawn for the smarter play.

You make it seem like Kelly has the experience of Zack Collaros playing in his 9th year - with multiple layers of playoff experience and Grey Cup wins.

The kid is in his first ever playoff start. Was he bad tonight? Yes surely. But have some faith - brighter days ahead. When is the last time this Argos team won more than 12 regular season games? 1997. Jeez. 26 years ago!

This team is coming off a Grey Cup win last year - having just won 16 games this year. Lots of positivity and optimism to look forward to! No player is going to bail on this team after such a sour loss to end the year much like the loss in the 2021 East Final to the Ticats. They will be back with a vengeance.