Burris leads RedBlacks into key divisional clash vs. Alouettes

Henry Burris and the Ottawa RedBlacks host the Montreal Alouettes in a vital divisional game Thursday night.

Burris is a candidate to capture his second Most Outstanding Player Award of his career, completing 69.5 percent of his passes for a league-high 3,611 yards and 14 touchdowns against eight interceptions.

The RedBlacks, one game out of first place in the East Division, are looking to take advantage of a big opportunity against the last-place Alouettes.

"The way I see it, I smell blood," RedBlacks linebacker Damaso Munoz told the Ottawa Sun's Tim Baines on Tuesday. "We've beaten them twice. This is the last time we play them (in the regular season). We need to get after them. We need to start fast and continue that momentum through the game."

Montreal's sixth-ranked passing defense will need to be aware of Burris' movement in the pocket at all times.

As for the Als' offense, Rakeem Cato appears to be the starter entering the contest, but he's struggled all year, throwing nine touchdowns against nine interceptions. Jonathan Crompton could take repetitions if Cato falters early, but who plays QB for Montreal doesn't appear to be much of a concern for the RedBlacks.

"I'll say this, they're both capable guys," RedBlacks head coach Rick Campbell said. “We're really trying to focus on us this week."

With the East Division still in the balance, Thursday's game may determine playoff seeding.