With beating Edmonton last week, Winnipeg has secured a playoff spot but where they will rank is still undetermined. While a win against Hamilton will not secure any positioning – without some help this weekend – a win would do wonders.

It is hard to believe that Winnipeg started 0-4. But here we are, Week 18, and the 9-6 Bombers are playing against the 69 Tiger Cats.

Hamilton still has a lot to play for; their playoff hopes are still alive.

Questions:

Here are the questions I will be looking for answers when these two teams square off.

1. Will Hamilton be able to limit the Bombers? Last game, Winnipeg came out and put up 55 points. While that certainly is not their norm, Hamilton is has more points against than for. Winnipeg on the other hand has scored more than their opponents.
   

2. Has Winnipeg punched themselves out? It is not uncommon in the CFL to see a team put up a ton of points one week, and put up hardly any the next week. While it looks like Winnipeg’s offence is coming into form, was last game just the beginning or an anomaly?

3. Can Winnipeg’s defense continue to come up big? Whether it is coming up with turnovers, or simply stopping the other team, Winnipeg’s defense is a big reason the Bombers have so many wins.

4. Can Winnipeg stop Bo? Wait, what? You mean Bo Levi Mitchell, the guy who’s CFL career looked to be on life support? Yes I do mean that guy. Some people have been making comments about him in the running for MOP. Others have mocked that idea. Until writing this article, I thought, “No way! There is no way his play has been that good. I will let you decide for yourself, but you will notice he is having one of his best years ever!

Here is putting that into perspective with the other quarterbacks in the league.

Here is How They Stack Up:

So what can we make from this? You will notice that there are a ton of linebackers in there! We know that Winnipeg likes to rotate guys in to keep them fresh, so heavy pressure on the Hamilton QB looks to be like part of the game plan. You will also notice that Ayers and Jones seem to be getting rewarded for their great play!

Here is the first thing I will point out, I hate it that Hamilton simply cannot get their depth chart on one page. Secondarily, for Winnipeg to have success they are going to need to limit White and Litre.

Hamilton narrowly edged out BC last week, and their rushing game was lacking.

Where they came alive was their receiving core. Everyone got a catch! They spread that ball around like Oprah giving out cars, ‘You get a car, and you get a car, and you get a car!”

Winnipeg will need to slow down that aerial attack to help themselves win.

If Winnipeg needs to go toe to toe against that type of passing offence…they can!

I just hope they don not have to. If Winnipeg can score early, score in the middle of the game, and score late, they should put themselves in a good spot to win. But Bo is not just playing for a win, and a chance to make the playoffs…he is probably playing for his career. Hamilton signed him with big hopes…and he disappointed until this year.

In fact, it was Week 10 that Hamilton pulled Bo early and went with Powell. Powell would later get injured and Bo would get another shot. The Powell would come back from injury, but would not start for Hamilton and it has been Bo’s team the rest of the way…so far.

In a Nutshell

Winnipeg needs to stop the run, while having their run game going. They need to shut down or really limit Bo, while Collaros needs to be great – not necessarily as great as last game though. Collaros needs to make smart plays and take the sake when it makes sense instead of throwing an interception. The Winnipeg receivers can help out Collaros, and it would be great to see Lawler make some amazing catches look routine…once again. On top of that, Winnipeg needs to get something out of their special teams, and it would be great of that was on both sides of the ball. Do that, and the Bombers will tame some tiger cats.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

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