How the Blue Bombers can beat the Alouettes and win the Grey Cup

The scenario is nothing new for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

For the second year in a row, the Blue Bombers will be the heavy favourite in the Grey Cup game on Sunday when they face the surprising Montreal Alouettes in Hamilton.

Of course, the Bombers didn't get the job done as the team to beat last year, dropping a 24-23 decision to the Toronto Argonauts in Regina, denying Winnipeg a three-peat.

Three Grey Cups in four years still has a nice ring to it, though.

Here's how the Blue Bombers can ensure they're lifting the trophy again.

Exploit a major strength vs. a big Alouettes weakness

The Blue Bombers tied a CFL playoff record after registering nine sacks in their win over the B.C. Lions last week in the West final.

The Alouettes, meanwhile, gave up seven sacks in their upset victory over the Argos in the East final.

That Montreal gave up that many sacks and still won easily is a statistical oddity. The biggest reason for the victory was turnovers -- the Alouettes forced the Argos into nine turnovers, including two pick-sixes.

If Winnipeg avoids turnovers -- and the Blue Bombers didn't commit one versus the Lions -- the sack stat becomes much more important.

Montreal gave up the second-most sacks in the league this year. The Blue Bombers have a pair of top defensive ends in Jackson Jeffcoat and Willie Jefferson.

The Alouettes don't match up well against a good pass rush. While GM Danny Maciocia has done an outstanding job improving the Als' roster, the offensive line needs work in the off-season.

For now, the Alouettes have to cross their fingers the current unit can keep quarterback Cody Fajardo upright. That seems unlikely against Winnipeg.

Ground and pound

Blue Bombers running back and Winnipeg native Brady Oliveira led the league in rushing by a wide margin this season.

In the West final on its first offensive possession, Winnipeg got the ball in Oliveira's hands nine times on a 10-play touchdown drive.

Expect more of the same in the Grey Cup until the Alouettes prove they can stop the West's top player this season.

A productive Oliveira takes away more opportunities for the Alouettes to showcase their own strong pass rush -- led by the ageless Shawn Lemon.

Montreal ranked fifth against the run this season and second against the pass.

In seven of Montreal's last eight games against playoff teams, the Als have surrendered at least 100 yards rushing -- including 135 against Toronto last week.

Make the Alouettes play from behind

If the Blue Bombers jump out into an early lead, it plays right into Winnipeg's hands.

The Alouettes would be forced into a pass-heavy offence, which puts Fajardo at risk because of his below-average offensive line.

It also would allow Winnipeg to feature the ground game, letting Oliveira and a beefy, veteran Blue Bombers offensive line control the contest.

It's not that Winnipeg can't win after falling behind -- Blue Bombers QB Zach Collaros is one of the best in the business and receiver Kenny Lawler is a major big-play threat. But any chance of what would be another huge Montreal upset gets much lower if the Alouettes can't sniff victory -- and you know they'd love the Bombers to try to play catchup after they made life miserable for Argos star QB Chad Kelly last week.

Keep an eye on Fajardo

Fajardo may not be the best passer or running quarterback in the league, but he can do damage with his legs.

The gritty Fajardo, who has taken as many hits as any CFL quarterback the past two years, had 38 rushing yards on five carries against Toronto after notching 62 on four carries in the East semifinal versus Hamilton.

With Als running back William Stanback not producing at the same level as he was a few years ago, Montreal likely will try to get Fajardo involved in the rushing attack.

If the Bombers don't have star linebacker Adam Bighill, who suffered a lower-body injury last week, it becomes a tougher task to keep Fajardo in check.

"We plan on doing the same thing we did with Vernon (Adams Jr.) last week," said Jefferson during Grey Cup media week. We want to get to him early, try to get him often, and get him on the ground. We also want to get him moving a bit, but at the same time keep him in the pocket and not let him use his legs to extend plays and extend drives."

No doubt Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea (6-1 in Grey Cup games as a player, assistant coach and head coach) and defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall will be reminding their players about Fajardo's dual-threat abilities.