3 keys to victory for Montreal, Saskatchewan in Week 20

REGINA — The Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders close out a home-and-home on Saturday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium.

Montreal took care of business in the first matchup, 44-24, last week.

Saskatchewan is trying to avoid a five-game losing streak with its playoff hopes hanging in the balance. With a win on Saturday and a loss for either Winnipeg or Calgary in their respective Week 20 matchups, the Roughriders would clinch a playoff spot.

Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN, RDS, CTV, and Crave in Canada, and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.

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MONTREAL ALOUETTES

1. STARTER DUSTIN CRUM

Quarterback Dustin Crum gets the call under centre and will try to make it a smooth transition from Davis Alexander. He’s 10-for-13 for 86 yards in limited action so far this season, which includes two completions and 20 yards last week.

2. RECEIVING CORPS ROUNDING INTO FORM

Receivers Charleston Rambo and Jerreth Sterns turned heads after the pair combined for 220 yards a week ago. Their play will be particularly important this week with Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead listed as out for Saturday's game.

3. STOPS ON SECOND DOWN

The Riders are converting at 51.5 per cent on second down this season, the second-highest mark behind only the Alouettes through 19 weeks. Defensive back Nate Beauchemin will be asked to help keep tabs on the Riders' receivers, with linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku picking up the assignment of stopping the run.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

1. PASS RUSH

The Roughriders defensive front needs to find a way to get after Crum. It starts with defensive linemen Mike Rose and James Vaughters, who have 12 sacks between them, followed by support from linebackers Jameer Thurman and Aubrey Miller Jr. It’s a tough ask given the Als have allowed only 15 sacks.

2. DEFEND THE BIG PLAYS

Saskatchewan allowed three completions of 30-plus yards, the longest of which went for 51, in Week 19. While they won’t see Alexander, defensive backs Tevaughn Campbell, Nelson Lokombo and DaMarcus Fields still need to find a way to close space downfield against the likes of Rambo and Sterns.

3. RECEIVING HELP

Receiver Samuel Emilus returns from a leg injury for his first game since Week 12, and KeeSean Johnson checks back in after missing Week 19 with an ankle issue. The help is needed given the Riders were held to 258 passing yards by the Als defence.

NEED TO KNOW:

• Montreal has won the teams’ last three matchups at Mosaic Stadium.

• The Alouettes need 21 points to become the second team after Calgary to score 600 on the season.

• Saskatchewan receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker needs 39 receiving yards for his first 1,000-yard+ season.

• Riders’ defensive back Marcus Sayles is two defensive tackles shy of 450 for his career.

• Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.