It’s going to be a special environment in Edmonton tomorrow night when the Edmonton Elks take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with a game that has plenty of implications on the line.  Edmonton is coming off a much-needed bye week after playing 10 games in a row.  It will be back to business as usual for the Elks.  With that said, things feel a lot different now in the City of Champions.  It has been a long time since Edmonton has played meaningful football late in a season.  

Game Details  

Date:  Saturday, October 11th, 2025

Location:  Commonwealth Stadium / Edmonton, Alberta

Kickoff time:  7:00 PM EST

Channel: TSN

Stream:  CFL +

Weather forecast at kickoff: – 1°C.  It will feel like – 6°C.  Cloudy and clear breaks are developing overnight.  Wind gust will be 39 km/h.      

Game Notes

. This is a vital game for both clubs, as a loss for Edmonton and a win by Calgary would eliminate the Elks from playoff contention.

. A win by Winnipeg would secure a playoff spot and keep them in contention for a home playoff game in the West Semi-Final.

. A win by the Elks of at least 14 points would secure them the season series and a playoff tiebreaker over Winnipeg.

.  A win by the Elks and a loss by Calgary at Hamilton this week would put the Elks in charge of their own playoff destiny (Win out, and they are in).

. The Blue Bombers are just 3-5 (.375) vs. their West Division rivals in 2025 – that compares to a 35–7 (.833) mark across the 2021 – 2024 seasons.

. Over the last 4 games, Elk’s kicker Vincent Blanchard is a perfect 12 for 12 and overall has a streak with 13 straight FGs made – the longest current streak in the CFL.

Elks RB Justin Rankin ranks # 2 in the CFL with 12 touchdowns in 2025.  He has scored a TD in his last 4 games and 6 of his last 7 overall.

Source: CFL

Edmonton Elks Depth Chart

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Depth Chart

Note:  As of now, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have not released their depth chart.

Injury Reports

Players to watch: Edmonton Elks

RB – Justin Rankin

He is the engine that moves the offence.  Expect Justin Rankin to have a huge impact in this game.  His triple–threat way of playing running back will be a big obstacle for the Winnipeg defence.

LB – Joel Dublanko

If you think Joel Dublanko is having a breakout year, can you imagine what he will be when he hits his peak?  The 2024 1st round draft pick, 1st overall in the 2024 CFL Draft, has played well above his development.  Expect Joel to continue his play on the field and stop the Winnipeg offence during key drives.

Players to watch: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

DL – Willie Jefferson

He is a defensive lineman, clearly in a category of his own.  With his big and tall frame, he can turn things around if the Bombers are in a bad spot to change the momentum.  The Elks’ offensive line will have their hands full with Willie Jefferson.  

RB – Brady Oliveira

When the game is on the line, Brady Oliveira is a player who thrives in these moments.  He has played in a lot of big games, and this game is no different.  You are not going to shut down Brady Oliveira.  You hope to contain him or slow him down.  Edmonton will have a big showdown with Brady Oliveira vs. the Elks’ defence.

Keys to an Edmonton victory:

Keep the running game going.

Under no circumstances should you abandon the running game.  The Elks need to have a balanced attack on the offence to have success in this game.

Hold the fort.

Match what Winnipeg is doing in any positive outcome.  The Elks have played well enough in the 2nd half of the season to counter on big plays by the opposition, along with capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes at times.    

Stay in the moment.

Savor this moment.  It will be a playoff-type game.  Do not get discouraged if things go awry.  Keep plugging away.  Good things will come out of it.  Find your inner Rudy moment. 

Prediction

It’s a great time to be an Edmonton fan.  Elks’ fans have been experiencing a lot of pain and suffering, and have wondered when this football team would be relevant in the Edmonton sporting landscape.  It has not been a perfect season by any stretch.  However, the positivity of this football team on what they accomplished in the last eight weeks has been inspiring.  And that is what Edmonton has been doing.  Playing inspiring football.   

Final Score

Edmonton Elks:  29

Winnipeg Blue Bombers:  24

Edmonton pulls out a big win at home and inches closer to the possibility of clinching a playoff spot.