The Winnipeg Blue Bombers dropped their game against Calgary by a score of 30-52. Before I get into the specific reasons why I believe the Bombers lost I want to look backwards a bit.
I was not hoping that the Bombers would lose, but I called it. Winnipeg was going to be in tough against Calgary despite their records. Here is exactly what I said, "Calgary has been putting up many points in their games while the Bombers struggle to even reach 30 points." And 30 points is all the Bombers put up this week. I guess looking back it is not too much of a surprise that I accurately wrote, Who Are The 2026 Blue Bombers? There’s Confusion Around That Question!
What Did Not Cost The Bombers The Game
I do not care how many fans boo. The Bombers did not lose the game by punting it away in the fourth quarter with just over 5 minutes remaining. That is the right call, each and every time! If you disagree then you are telling me this, "Sure, the Bombers did not get any yards on 1st or 2nd down, but they should gamble on 3rd down...even if coming up short puts Calgary in automatic scoring position."
Really? That is your argument? Not a chance. You punt the ball away and give yourself a better chance. It is all about pushing the problem down the road, or in the NBA when they foul on purpose to hope the other team misses free-throws, it is called 'extending the game'. And the punt was good, pinning Calgary at their 5 yard line. Even if the punt was terrible, it would have been the right call. It is like playing blackjack; the right call a.k.a 'basic strategy,' is the right call all the time even when your hand does not win.
3 Things That Lost The Bombers The Game
1) Quarterback play
Adams Jr. 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions. Brown, 1 touchdown, 4 interceptions. That is not a winning formula. And while we could say that not all the interceptions were Brown's fault, they we not well thrown balls. Just go back to a game prior, there were 5 balls that Brown threw that could have been intercepted. I thought that Winnipeg made an outstanding trade for Brown. I said so much, "Truth Bombs – Winnipeg Cashes In On Ottawa’s Mismanagement". But now we are very much getting back the the question that I asked before Brown started a couple of weeks ago, "How Will The Bombers Manage Brown – Collaros Out & Brown In." If you are wondering if the Bombers should go to Elgersma, make sure to read the article about the Bombers managing Brown, because I think the downside of going to Brown still exists.
2) Not Running The Ball
Sure Oliveira had 128 yards, but his longest was 45 yards in the 3rd quarter and then...he did not get another touch! That is unfathomable. In his post-game interview, Brady said that he does not think that the team has an offensive identity. Look, I was writing about this issue in 2025.
Almost exactly a year ago on July 29 2025 I wrote, "The real issue; the Bombers do not have an identity in 2025." If I am Brady I have to feel like I was tricked in the off-season. The Bombers get rid of Hogan, Brady was quite possibly looking at going somewhere else, the Bombers sign Condell who is know as a pass first guy...and yet they still retain Oliveira. back when that was all going down I said that the Bombers must have told Brady that 2026 will be different and that they would run the ball more.
Running the ball is not just about establishing an identity, though that is part of it. Running the ball also slows down the pass rush, something Winnipeg's offensive line has not been good at blocking. And especially when you have an injury on the offensive line and have to move 3 players into different spots on that line, run blocking is a lot easier than pass blocking. Understanding all of that, the lack of running the ball in the fourth quarter is mind-boggling, and a head scratcher...something I hoped we were getting away from in 2026.
When Oliveira becomes the 5th Canadian in CFL history to rush for 6,000 yards (as he did on Friday night) you have to feed the beast!
3) Receivers Not Performing
Wilson had the best stat line for the Bombers, but he maybe had the worst receiving play for them as well. Consider this, on one of the interceptions the Brown threw the ball short. Wilson made zero effort to come back on the ball. Sure he may not catch that ball anyway, but he likely prevents the interception and maybe draws a defensive pass interference penalty against Calgary. This is so bang on, because when Wilson came to the sideline, the Bombers' Head Coach Mike O'Shea told him that on a short pass he needs to stick his foot in the ground an come back to the ball.
Ok, so a teachable moment right? Wrong. There was another play, very similar to that one and Wilson still did nor fight back to the ball. The Bombers are supposed to have a great receiving group. And maybe they do. But for the last few games that group has not shown much fight to go and get 50/50 balls.
Final Thoughts
The Bombers are going to have to have a short memory as they host the BC Lions this Thursday night. BC lost to Toronto 12-26 on Saturday. I suspect that Chase Brice will start at quarterback for the BC Lions. While he did not look good against Toronto, he played fairly well against the Bombers in the pre-season game in Winnipeg.
If Winnipeg does not beat the Lion, I would say that it is time for the Bombers to hit the panic button and try to salvage a season that would then be spiraling out of control (even though a loss would have their record at 4-4.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.