The unbeaten Elks roll into Winnipeg Thursday night looking to go 3-0, but the Bombers' defence doesn't give up touchdowns easily.
This Week's CFL Schedule
Edmonton Elks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
| When | Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where | Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg |
| TV | TSN (Canada) | CBS Sports Network (U.S.) |
| Stream | Watch live on CFL+ |
| Line | Winnipeg -3 | O/U 54 |
Edmonton comes in as one of three undefeated teams left standing after Week 3, knocking off Montreal 32-29 in their last outing. Winnipeg dropped a tough one last week — a 37-27 loss to Hamilton — and they need a home win to avoid falling to .500 heading into the Canada Day stretch. The Bombers are 3-point favourites, but this Edmonton squad isn't here to be a stepping stone.
The storyline to watch here is Winnipeg's defence against Edmonton's rushing attack. The Bombers have allowed just one touchdown on 41 possessions this season — an absurd 39-consecutive-possession touchdown-free streak entering this week. They've also held opponents to 12 points in the second half all year, with zero defensive touchdowns surrendered and only two field goals allowed in the fourth quarter. That's the kind of late-game stranglehold that wins football games. But Edmonton's Justin Rankin leads the entire CFL with 280 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground — if anyone can crack this defence, he's the guy to try.
Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg offence have been inconsistent (654 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs through two games), and the Bombers' receiver room is banged up heading into Thursday. The Elks have outscored opponents 61-50 through two games and are quietly one of the league's better stories so far. Winnipeg wins the turnover battle, they cover. Edmonton keeps it clean, and this one could go down to the wire — and over that 54-point total if both offences get rolling.
Players to Watch:
- Justin Rankin (Edmonton, RB) — The CFL's rushing leader with 280 yards and three TDs is the engine of this Edmonton offence and will be the biggest test of Winnipeg's run defence all season.
- Zach Collaros (Winnipeg, QB) — Coming off a loss, Collaros needs to be sharper after throwing two picks this year; the Bombers' season turns on whether he can recapture his elite form at home.
- Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg, RB) — With the receiver corps dinged up, Oliveira's 145 rushing yards and a TD make him Winnipeg's most reliable offensive option Thursday night.
Injury Watch:
- Nic Demski (Winnipeg, WR) — Questionable (ankle); his absence would further thin a receiving group already missing depth.
- Ontaria Wilson (Winnipeg, WR) — Questionable (knee); two receiver question marks on the same depth chart is a real concern for Collaros.
- Brody Clark (Winnipeg, LB) — Doubtful (thigh); officially transferred to six-game injury list, leaving a hole in the linebacker corps.
- Nick Anderson (Edmonton, LB) — Out (hamstring); transferred to six-game injury on June 24, a blow to Edmonton's defensive depth.
- Joe Robustelli (Edmonton, WR) — Out (hamstring); extended on the single-game injury list again, limiting Edmonton's receiving options.
- Luke Burton-Krahn (Edmonton, WR/LS) — Out (Achilles); also moved to six-game injury list this week.
Pick: Winnipeg 28, Edmonton 24. The Bombers' defence is historically stingy right now, and Winnipeg's ability to protect the ball at home should be the difference — but Edmonton's too good to blow out, and the Bombers barely cover at -3.
CFL Standings
| Team | W | L | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Elks | 2 | 0 | 61 | 50 |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | 2 | 0 | 71 | 64 |
| Montreal Alouettes | 2 | 1 | 96 | 89 |
| Hamilton Tiger-Cats | 2 | 1 | 105 | 84 |
| Toronto Argonauts | 1 | 1 | 74 | 61 |
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | 1 | 1 | 57 | 65 |
| Calgary Stampeders | 0 | 2 | 65 | 70 |
| BC Lions | 0 | 2 | 54 | 72 |
| Ottawa Redblacks | 0 | 2 | 45 | 73 |
Quick Hits
- Winnipeg added QB Dru Brown to the roster on June 24, bringing him in transit as insurance behind Collaros heading into a must-win home game.
- Winnipeg's Brody Clark was officially transferred to the six-game injury list on June 24, and with Jaylen Smith returning from a single-game injury designation as questionable, the Bombers' linebacker depth is stretched thin — something Edmonton's offence could look to exploit.
- Fantasy tip: Justin Rankin is the safest CFL fantasy play in Week 4 — he leads the league in rushing yards and TDs, and Winnipeg will be looking to load the box to stop him, which could open up big plays elsewhere for Edmonton.
- The Bombers have gone 0-1-1 against the spread this season and have seen both of their games go over the total — worth noting with Thursday's line sitting at 54, especially if Edmonton's passing options are further limited by injuries.
Standings | Full Schedule | League Leaders
Who wins this week? Drop your picks in the comments.