The BC Lions will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week as both teams look to bounce back from losses. The Lions are coming off a 12-26 defeat to the Toronto Argonauts, while the Blue Bombers suffered a 30-52 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last week.
Game Details:
Date/Location: Thursday, July 30, 2026 / IG Field, Winnipeg, MB
Kickoff Time: 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT
Channel: TSN, RDS (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)
Radio: 730 CKNW/Lions Audio Network/Sher-E- Punjab Radio AM 600
Odds (If you place bets, please do so responsibly in moderation):
Spread: B.C. +7.5 (-110), Elks -7.5 (-110)
Moneyline: B.C. +310, Elks -400
Over/Under: 53.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
B.C. Lions: The BC Lions' season is starting to feel over as the team has accumulated 5 losses already in their first 6 games. The season remains very much alive for BC, sitting 2 games out of a playoff spot with 12 games left to play. If Rourke can get healthy soon, then a push back into the playoff mix is very reasonable and will be much more attainable if the Lions can pick up a win in his absence.
Chase Brice completed 14 of 25 passes for 163 yards in last week’s loss before being replaced by Kaidon Salter, who completed 9 of 15 for 121 yards. James Butler rushed for 40 yards on 10 carries, and the receiving corps was led by Justin McInnis (6 catches, 89 yards) and Keon Hatcher (6 catches, 64 yards).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are coming off a heavy 30-52 loss to Calgary. Dru Brown completed 24 of 40 passes for 249 yards with 1 touchdown, with several turnover-worthy throws along the way to 4 interceptions. Brady Oliveira had a strong game on the ground with 14 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ontaria Wilson caught 7 of his 11 targets for 95 yards, and Nic Demski added 7 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the game being out of reach last week, Winnipeg kept putting back in Brown, passing on a valuable opportunity to see what other quarterbacks can do on their roster, repeating a pattern we saw from them last season.
Lions' Keys to the Game
Stabilize From the Quarterback Position
Last week didn’t see a lot of punch come from the passing game as Brice played the majority of the game and completed just 56% of his passes for 163 yards before Kaidon Salter came in and threw for 121 yards in the final six minutes. This week, Salter will get the start, and we shall see how he plays outside of garbage time.
Provide Run Support
Last week, BC failed to provide run support in what was Chase Brice’s first career start.
Butler rushed 10 times for 40 yards with Zander Horvath rushing 3 times for 3 yards. Not providing any effective run support to a young passer in their first start is not a winning ingredient.
With James Butler out this week, we will see a mix of Zander Horvath and Emani Bailey at running back.
Stop Brady Oliveira
Winnipeg is a smash-mouth football team and has been for nearly a decade despite the media focus on being on the passing game and losing focus on what was a key reason Winnipeg lost their last 2 Grey Cup appearances. Last week saw Oliveira rush 14 times for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Denying Winnipeg a strong run game is to deny Winnipeg its offensive identity.
Limit Big Plays in the Secondary
Winnipeg has several receivers capable of making big plays, with the likes of Nic Demski, Ontario Wilson and Tim White to name a few.
5 Lions to Watch
19 QB Kaidon Salter
Salter will get his first CFL start at quarterback after completing 9 of his 15 passes for 121 yards last week.
18 WR Justin McInnis
McInnis caught 6 of his 10 targets last week for 89 yards. He has 28 catches for 393 yards so far this season.
4 WR Keon Hatcher
Last week saw Hatcher catch 6 of his 11 targets for 64 yards. He has caught 28 passes for 465 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
34 RB Zander Horvath
Horvath has rushed 23 times this season for 63 yards and 3 touchdowns. Last season saw him rush 24 times for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns.
90 DE Mathieu Betts
Betts picked up 2 more sacks last week, bringing his total to 5 sacks, tied for first in the league.
5 Blue Bombers to Watch
4 QB Dru Brown
Dru Brown completed 24 of his 40 passes last week for 249 yards and a touchdown with 4 interceptions.
20 RB Brady Oliveira
Oliveira is 3rd in rushing in the league, having rushed 93 times for 551 yards (5.9 average) and 3 touchdowns.
80 WR Ontaria Wilson
Wilson caught 7 of his 11 targets for 95 yards last week. He has 34 catches for 476 yards and 3 touchdowns.
10 WR Nic Demski
Demski added 7 catches on 9 targets last week for 76 yards and a touchdown. Demski has 34 catches for 476 yards and 3 touchdowns on the season.
5 DE Willie Jefferson
Jefferson picked up his 5th sack last week, making him currently tied for first in sacks in the league. Jake Ceresna on the Bombers also has 5 sacks.
Injury Report:
Depth Charts:
Score Prediction:
I predict the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win 27-20. The Bombers have home-field advantage and a dominant run game, while BC’s run game has been suspect as of late. I need to see play from Kaidon Salter outside of garbage time to get an idea of what he can really bring to an offense before I expect him to right the Lions’ ship.
Dru Brown’s game last week was quite uninspiring. Winnipeg would have had a better chance to win the game with Bryce Perkins under center, who is much more well-equipped to handle the overwhelming pass rush that Calgary was bringing to the Bombers last week.
I expect Winnipeg to win this one on the back of Brady Oliveira.