Thursday night’s game between the Calgary Stampeders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is big for a couple of reasons.
To begin with, the first reason is obvious: football.
The other is somewhat more unique.
The game will mark the First-ever Stampede Bowl.
For those unfamiliar, Calgary hosts a 10-day festival every July, featuring one of the largest rodeos in the world, a parade, and a midway filled with rides, games, and food.
This year, the tradition will include some football.
The Stampede Bowl will feature:
- A Stampede Bowl Trophy custom-made by MST Bronze Limited will be presented to the winner.
- Poison frontman and rock icon Bret Michaels is performing the halftime concert, presented by TD.
- Canadian country music star Dawson Gray will perform the pre-game concert on the stage at McMahon and the post-game concert at Stamps House, presented by Coors Original.
- A President’s Wager between Jay McNeil of the Stampeders and Wade Miller of the Blue Bombers, with a $25,000 donation being made to Purolator Tackle Hunger by the losing team to the winning team’s market.
- The TSN panel in attendance live on location.
Don’t let the spectacle fool you. Ultimately, the game will still be the main event, and it’s a big one.
The Bombers and Stampeders are ranked 1st and 4th, respectively, in the CFL News Hub Power Rankings. It’s also an important game in the West Division standings.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers saw a lot of turnover in the offseason. Thankfully for them, that hasn’t slowed them down at all. The team is off to a red-hot 3–0 start.
But that start only matters if they can keep it up. Otherwise, they risk falling behind. They’re still a half game behind 4–0 Saskatchewan and only one game ahead of Calgary.
A win on Thursday would mean a lot to their early-season standing in the West.
Keys to Victory
Establish the run
Like most teams in the CFL, the Blue Bombers are much better when they establish the run on first down. A strong running game makes converting on 2nd and 3rd down much easier.
Stop the run
The Calgary Stampeders‘ run game has been one of their strengths this season. Dedrick Mills has established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
Containing him on early downs will make beating the Stampeders much easier.
Get off the field
Calgary has moved the ball well all season. But, they haven’t always finished drives. In fact, they are somewhat turnover-prone.
The Bombers don’t
have to shut them down; they just need to make them earn every year. That will give them more chances to turn the ball over.Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders got off to a somewhat surprising 2–0 start to the season. Unfortunately, their inability to finish drives cost them game three.
After using the bye week to reload and refocus, they look to get back on track against Winnipeg.
>Keys to Victory
Throw a touchdown
Vernon Adams Jr. is off to an impressive start with the Calgary Stampeders. However, one thing he hasn’t done is throw a touchdown pass.
The lack of passing success in the red zone was a big part of their week 3 loss. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be hard to beat if Adams doesn’t get things going with his arm.
Establish the run
Dedrick Mills and Vernon Adams Jr. are both weapons on the ground. If they can get going on early downs, it will open up the passing attack.
>Finish drives
The Stampeders’ week 3 loss saw them gain 367 yards of offense while only scoring 12 points. A big part of that was their 3 failed 3rd down attempts.
That’s not a sustainable way to win football games. If the Stampeders hope to make it back to the playoffs this year, they will need to finish more drives.
Game Information
Date and Time: Thursday, July 3, 7:00 pm Eastern
Location:
> McMahon Stadium, Calgary, ABBroadcast: TSN and CFL+
Betting Odds Per FanDuel (July 2)
Spread:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers -3.5Moneyline: Stampeders +146, Blue Bombers -178
Over/Under: 50.5
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