The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are fighting for their playoff lives and will take that fight to Montreal today!
With the Bombers sitting at 7-7 and Montreal at 11-3 this is going to be a tough challenge for Winnipeg. However, we should note that the last time these teams faced off, Winnipeg got the better of Montreal and beat them 44-28. And yet with the Bombers being so inconsistent in 2026 we should not let past performance predict future performance.
Why This Game Is Crucial
The Standings
The Bombers are in an absolute dog fight in the West.
*This article was written before the BC vs Toronto game on October 3rd.
After this game the Bomber have the following 3 games remaining: Calgary at Winnipeg, Winnipeg at Edmonton, Winnipeg at BC. So the Bombers certainly hold the future in their own hands but it has to start now.
There is also going to be a crossover, so Winnipeg has one more option that way. But how confident do you feel when none of the CFL writers are picking the Bombers this week, even after Winnipeg beat Montreal the last time they met?
Fans In The 2027 Season
Imagine the Bombers not making the playoffs in 2026 or having an early exit from the playoffs. There are already fans not excited about the 2027 rule changes. Curiously, the Bomber's (and most other CFL team's) website shows the new seating map for 2027 season tickets. When I spoke with the Bombers the other day they did confirm that the field size change was still going to happen for 2027.
Montreal has filed for an exemption, and has not shown the new field size for 2027 on their website. I simply cannot imagine that the CFL would give Montreal an exception.
I have also heard from my neighbor that his friend has cancelled his season tickets for 2027, citing the rule changes. My neighbour has kept his season tickets for 2027 and told me that he would watch a 5-13 Bombers team, but he is not interested in watching NFL style CFL. I think that is going to be the sentiment of a lot of Bomber fans, 'I will support and enjoy watching this team through good and bad years...but not when they change the fundamentals of the game.'
It also looks like the Bombers may have repriced season tickets for 2027, though that is a bit harder to confirm. However, I was able to confirm that the Bombers have lowered their season parking pass price, so that might be an indication.
The Bombers are also being very aggressive with their season ticket renewal. This year, if you renew your tickets for 2027, before October 5th you are entered in to win prizes. October 5th seems interesting as by then fans will not know if the Bombers are in or out of the playoffs.
Last Time They Met
The last time these teams met it was a crazy game!
So much so, that my post game article was titled, Crazy Catches, Spin Moves, Blocked Kick…This Game Had It All!
Much like this game, none of the CFL writers picked the Bombers for that game.
Even though Montreal did not have the ball much in the first half, they are known to be able to score quickly, and they did. Davis Alexander put up 4 touchdowns and had no interceptions.
What the Winnipeg Blue Bombers did do very well was limit Montreal's run game to only 51 yards! That is massive considering that the week before Thies ran for 88 yards...and Winnipeg only allowed him 31 yards.
Equally impressive was Winnipeg's ability to limit Davis' runs. However, while Davis only ran for 17 yards, he did have times where he had all day to pass.
The other thing the Bombers did really well, for the most part, was tackling. Sure, Snead had a very impressive run but that was an anomaly that I can live with.
Lastly, on defence, the Bombers finally got consistent pressure on the opponent's quarterback. Jefferson even recorded his 100th career pass knockdown. If they can sustain that for the 2026 season that will go a long way in helping the Bombers limit opponent's explosion plays.
In the end the Bombers would beat Montreal 44-28, which is above average scoring for the Bombers in 2026.
Winnipeg's Depth Chart
Other than Collaros being out, there are 2 changes for the Bombers that I like. First, I like that Hansen is not only back with the team but back on the roster at defensive end. He should help the Bombers stop the run while getting pressure on Montreal's quarterback.
I also like that Singer has stayed on the roster. It is amazing that it took him so long to crack the roster, as he has to be an upgrade over Cobb.
Keys To Victory
1) Find a balance:
The Bombers are going to need to do a lot of what they did against Montreal last game. They will need to find that balance between limiting Davis' ability to run the ball himself, while not giving him all day to find a receiver. That is a tough ask and last time they met the Bombers hedged on limiting Davis' ability to run...but gave him all day to find a receiver, and that led to some explosion plays. I simply cannot see the Bombers putting up 44 points, so they will need to limit Montreal from scoring.
2) Stay consistent:
The Bombers have not been consistent with the run game. That is true within the game itself, and even within quarters of the game. If the Bombers want to stay on the field and keep Alexander off the field then then Bombers are going to have to commit to the run.
3) Don't shoot yourself
The 2026 Bombers cannot afford bozo plays. Whether that is bad balls that lead to interceptions, terrible penalties that extend the opponent's drive/takes points off the board for the Bombers, missing field goals that should be automatic, gambling or not gambling (also know as 'going for it on 3rd down') at the wrong times, and challenging/not throwing the challenge flag, dropping a sure touchdown pass. Oh, yah, also not throwing interceptions.
Yes, there is a lot there!
The Bombers do not have to play a perfect game. But they simply cannot have self-inflicted wounds and hope to win. They are not good enough to win in a game where they do that.
This is a big game for the Bombers!
Lose and they are in 5th place. However, if BC loses and Winnipeg wins then there is a log jam again for 2nd place. Or, it BC wins and Winnipeg wins the Bombers are in third as they have the season series over Saskatchewan.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.