Montreal’s playoff seeding could be sealed before the Alouettes visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the regular-season finale on Saturday afternoon.

Despite that potential scenario, the Alouettes (10-7) are planning to start quarterback Davis Alexander against the Blue Bombers (9-8) no matter how the standings shake out.

If Hamilton defeats Ottawa on Friday night, the Tiger-Cats (10-7) would clinch the No. 1 seed in the East Division because they hold the tiebreaker over Montreal. The Alouettes would be locked into the No. 2 spot before Saturday’s kickoff.

Alexander is a perfect 7-0 as a starter this season but has missed 10 games due to injury, so coach Jason Maas wants him to stay sharp.

“I’ve said this before: He isn’t a five-year vet in terms of playing five straight seasons. He needs to play, and he needs to play a lot — especially against an opponent we may face in the playoffs,” Maas said.

The Blue Bombers also have clinched a playoff spot but face an even more uncertain future. They can finish no higher than third in the West Division, but a fourth-place finish would see them cross over to the East as the No. 3 seed.

Winnipeg is 6-2 at home and coming off a 17-16 win against Saskatchewan. Montreal is 6-2 on the road and riding a five-game winning streak, including back-to-back victories against Ottawa.

The Blue Bombers won the first meeting 26-13 on Aug. 21 in Montreal, one of the games Alexander missed. Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros completed 27 of 31 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown and Brady Oliveira rushed for 137 yards and a score.

Oliveira was named the team’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian for a third straight season earlier this week.

“My main focus is just about winning a Grey Cup,” Oliveira said. “That’s my motivation. When I’m training my behind off in the offseason and grinding throughout the season, my main focus is winning the Grey Cup.”

–Field Level Media