First of all, I am not sure if this is a ‘win or go home game.’ If Montreal loses…they are already at home. And of the Bombers win, will they go home before they head to Hamilton for the Eastern Final? Regardless, I think most of us understand the sentiment…whoever loses, their season is done.
Story Lines
Bombers’ Depth Chart
Demski listed as a game time decision has to be the biggest stand out on this depth chart. What do you do if Demski can sort of go? This decision will be second guessed either way if the Bombers lose; or if the Bombers win and Demski gets injured further and is out for the Eastern Final. This will be easy for armchair coaches to comment on, and much more difficult for the Bombers’ staff to decide on.
However, having watched the Bombers for many, many years, and generally knowing how Head Coach Mike O’Shea works, I expect Demski will be in the game if he is able to play. As the World Series of baseball is on, think about it this way. In baseball, you do not save pitchers. You try to win each and every game, and worry about the next game after the current game. I call it ‘pushing the problem down the road.’ If the Bombers think Demski gives them a better chance to win this game with him playing, rather than him sitting (regardless of whatever percentage Demski is at right now) then I fully expect to see Demski play.
It should be noted, that the Bombers have been in this spot before in other playoff years…and their decision to play a guy that was coming of an injury, actually hurt the Bombers. But I think the Bombers have to at least start with Demski if he is good enough to play.
2019?
Some people are going to suggest that this game; and this season are reminiscent of 2019. I will disagree. While it is true that in 2019 the Bombers had to play 2 games on the road to get to the Grey Cup, the situation surrounding the team was much different. In 2019 the Bombers went out and found Zach Collaros to help them. In 2025, Zach Collaros has not been the same quarterback; and that can likely be attributed to the offensive line…which is another difference from 2019.
In 2019, the nagging question all season was, ‘Who can the Bombers find at kicker?’ Fast forward to 2025, and the Bombers have a very good kicker. Even though, finding a quarterback in 2019 was one heck of a challenge that the Bombers pulled off last second. I will still contented that doing so is easier that trying to revamp an offensive line at this juncture of the season.
Montreal’s Depth Chart
Just re-signed and playing for Montreal will be Rice, who will line up behind Ventrelli. Also Mustafa Johnson is not in the line up as he got injured last game. Scott III is also in the line up, as there was speculation that he may be injured. Uguak is listed as a game time decision; and if he cannot go, then Lemon will take his spot. How banged up are the guys that are playing but hurt; how much does Rice play and get targeted, and how much does Uguak play (if at all) are big questions heading into this game!
The Weather
We all remember what happened in 2024 in Montreal right around this time of year! The wind picked up out of nowhere as Montreal tried to punt the ball away. Well guess what the forecast is in Montreal this Saturday? Wind gusts between 57 km/h and 61 km/h. And when it is not gusting, the wind will be consistent between 30 km/h and 33km/h. The wind will play a factor in this game…but to what degree?
Questions:
*How dry will the field be? Montreal is under a weather warning on Friday with an anticipated 40-60 ml of rain until Friday evening.
*Will the Bombers elect to kick twice if given the opportunity?
*Will balls be under thrown against the wind?
*Will balls be over thrown with the wind?
*Who will have a better run game?
*Who will have a better kicking and return game?
*Will the coaches and players be ready for a wind gust and take an ‘injury knee’ if necessary to get the play right? (As we recall, Montreal was out of time outs when that massive wind gust came up in 2024).
To really appreciate the wind gust, and the foreshadowing by Duane Forde, you have to pick this up at the 2:10:38 mark.
Final Thoughts
It is the playoffs…throw the regular season series out the window; even more so when both teams were resting players to end the 2025 CFL regular season. However, that which should not be overlooked is the fact that the Bombers have seen Montreal’s defence, whereas Davis Alexander has not seen Winnipeg’s defence. I think the weather is going to play a role in this one. Whoever can manage everything that the weather throws at them, and is able to adjust on all sides of the field, likely comes out the winner. While Bomber fans are hoping for a repeat of October 26, 2024…Montreal fans are hoping for the exact opposite.
What did you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.
