Argos visit Alouettes hoping to break out of slump

The Toronto Argonauts will be hoping to win only their second game in the past eight weeks when they visit the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday.

Toronto still finds itself in third place in the Eastern Division despite slipping to 5-8, but could miss the postseason because of the crossover rule. The Argos would be out if the playoffs started today, as the fourth-place Edmonton Eskimos are 6-7 in the West.

If the Argos hope to rebound they'll need a solid effort from quarterback Drew Willy, who is expected to make his first start since arriving in a trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers earlier this month. Willy lost his job to Matt Nichols in Winnipeg, but impressed last week in a relief effort for the Argos, going 16-of-24 for 153 yards and a touchdown.

The Alouettes will be looking to keep their faint playoff hopes alive and may have to win out to do it. That seems like an unlikely task for a team coming off four straight losses.

Rakeem Cato has struggled since taking over as the full-time starter, passing for only 168 yards and an interception two weeks ago against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Whichever team gets an inspired performance from its unheralded pivot may have the edge this week.

The Argos won the only other meeting between the two teams this season 30-17.