There are multiple playoff scenarios for the 4 Western teams still in the playoffs, but only one scenario where the Bombers get third place in the West.
Bombers very likely get fourth place and cross over to the East
So a BC loss, with a Calgary win, and a Winnipeg win puts Winnipeg in third place in the West; that is the only scenario for that placing.
*Calgary plays Edmonton…and should win, but those games tend to be wild and weird.
*Winnipeg plays Montreal…and I have no clue which Bombers’ team we are going to see show up! Montreal also may, or may not, be playing a game that can change their standings. If Hamilton beats Ottawa on Friday night, then Hamilton secures first in the East and the Montreal game against Winnipeg on Saturday cannot change Montreal’s standings.
*BC is playing in Saskatchewan…and I have to think that Saskatchewan may rest some of their starters again. However, I do expect that Fajardo will get some playing time. I do not see BC losing this one.
Why does this game matter for the Bombers?
While their standings are hardly in play, what is at stake is how the Bombers enter the playoffs. Since the Bombers have been inconsistent all year, I am not convinced that it matter; but would you rather enter the playoffs having a good game and win…or enter the playoffs with your star quarterback saying that there was nothing he liked about the offensive performance?
I would suggest the answer is pretty simple. So, while the Bombers have an outside, very slim chance of securing third place, and a far more likely possibility of 4th place, and a crossover to the East, this game is very important for the Bombers!
Winnipeg is not changing their offensive coordinator at this point in the season – while one could argue that Hogan should be stripped of play calling duties, and Jarious Jackson handed the play call sheet. It does not look like Winnipeg is bringing in any more receivers. And so far, Bombers quarterback Chase Artopoeus he will be on the depth chart. Additionally, and as expected, Demski is ruled out. In fact, I am not sure that he would be available for a semi final game.
Positive Reasons
1) This game will mark the Bombers 14th straight sellout. That means that they sold out every game this year and their sellout streak goes back into 2024. For a Bomber team that just has not been that great in 2025, this is a major accomplishment. Other teams with better records (yah, you Saskatchewan that tries to pretend you have the best fan base) has had many, many empty seat this year. A year where they clinched first place early in the West.
2) If the Bomber can pull off a good win, they could feel good about themselves heading into the playoffs. This is a chance for the players to get on the same page. And while they should not be struggling with that at this point in the season, I would rather it be that way than in the playoffs.
Some changes to the Bombers’ roster
Bombers’ Depth Chart
Despite all of that, the Bombers are deciding to play it safe; player safety that is. Many of the starters for Winnipeg will not even dress. Clearly, the Bombers think going into the playoffs healthy is far more important than whether they are third in the West or fourth; and crossover to the East.
Why I agree with these moves
Look, in all likelihood, Montreal will be resting some their starters also. If Hamilton beats Ottawa, which they should on Friday night…then Montreal is not playing for any positional difference. Why would Winnipeg want to risk injury in this game? Even more so, why would Winnipeg want to show Montreal anything…as they likely match up in the Eastern Semi-Final? And if I could make one more appeal, Winnipeg needs to get all 3 of these quarterbacks playing time. If the Bombers need to go to any of these quarterbacks in the playoffs, these guys need some reps.
Montreal Depth Chart
Sure, Montreal has Alexander listed as a starter. But, look. If this game is meaningless in the positional standings for Montreal, I do not expect Alexander, nor many other starters for Montreal to play much. At the point of writing this, Montreal does not know if they can better their standings in the East…so they have to list Alexander as a starter in case this game is important for them to win.
Final thoughts
This many be a very vanilla game. As I mentioned earlier, these two teams likely match up in the Eastern Semi-Final…so neither team wants to show the other team much. In all probability, this game will have two goals for each team. First, get players meaningful reps heading into the playoffs – though that will look different for both teams. Second, escape the game as healthy as possible heading into the playoffs. I would not be surprised to see this as a game for the kickers; both punting and field goals. While it may not be the most exciting game played, these are goals that each of these teams must achieve to go the distance in the playoffs.
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