Hamilton Tiger-Cats Game #13
Visiting Team: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-6, 3rd in the West division)
Home Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-5, 1st in the East division)
Date and Time: Friday, September 12th at 7 pm EDT
Game Location: Hamilton Stadium, Hamilton, ON
Where to Watch: In Canada, TSN and RDS In the US, CBS Sports Network International, CFL+
DraftKings Betting Line: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+7), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-7), O/U 51.5 points
Few teams embody unpredictability like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-5) in 2025. They opened with two losses, surged with six wins, dropped three more, then broke their skid by defeating Montreal 26-9. Their journey sets the stage for Week 15, where the Tiger-Cats battle Winnipeg, a team facing similar challenges compared to Hamilton’s last several seasons.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-6) have also dealt with injuries and a lack of continuity, including quarterback Zach Collaros’s ongoing injuries. Despite setbacks, they’ve overcome obstacles, but they enter this game after two straight losses to Saskatchewan. This week, the Bombers will need to lean on backup quarterback Chris Streveler if they want to get back on track.
Both teams are wrestling with adversity, making this week’s win critical for CFL playoff hopes. Each hopes to stabilize its division standing, setting up an intense clash.
The Week 15 CFL Injury Report shows that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are battling the attrition that comes with a long 18-game CFL season. For Winnipeg, the most critical of those injuries is the absence of quarterback Zach Collaros, who continues to struggle with concussion symptoms. In addition, the Blue Bombers also have a couple of injuries to their defensive backfield and linebacking units. On the other hand, the Tiger-Cats have several injuries along their defensive line, including a knee injury to former Blue Bombers defensive lineman TyJuan Garbutt.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Depth Chart
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Depth Chart
Key to Victory #1: Force QB Chris Streveler to Complete Passes
For the Tiger-Cats’ defensive game plan, it is essential to recognize that the absence of Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros will alter Hamilton’s approach to this matchup. Chris Streveler steps in for Collaros, and that changes how Winnipeg’s offensive plan operates. Streveler is a dual-threat quarterback well-known for his dual-threat ability and willingness to run when yards are available. It will be crucial for the Tiger-Cats to contain Streveler, preventing him from beating them with his legs and forcing him to win the game with precision passes.
Key to Victory #2: Contain the Blue Bombers Running Game
In addition to Streveler’s running ability, the driving force of the Blue Bombers’ ground game will be running back Brady Oliveira. Oliveira is a dominant runner who will set the tone on the offensive side of the ball with his powerful downhill running style. The injuries to the Tiger-Cats’ defensive line exponentially increase the damage that can be done by Oliveira if Hamilton allows him to get going early in the game. Hamilton’s ability to stop the run will most likely be the biggest factor that determines whether or not the Tiger-Cats will be able to secure an important victory over Winnipeg.
Key to Victory #3: Protect QB Bo Levi Mitchell
For the Tiger-Cats’ offensive game plan, Hamilton needs to ensure that they protects their most valuable asset, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Last week against the Alouettes, the Tiger-Cats struggled to maintain pass protection around Mitchell, forcing him to make plays outside of his current skill set. For all intents and purposes, Mitchell is a pocket-passer, and that means Hamilton will need to come in with a clear plan to protect him if they want to maximize his ability to lead the Tiger-Cats offensively.
Key to Victory #4: Force Turnovers
The fastest track for the Tiger-Cats to win games in 2025 is to force their opponent to turn the ball over. In Montreal, Hamilton avoided a potential downfall caused by a lethargic performance on the offensive side of the ball by forcing the Alouettes to turn the ball over. This week, Hamilton will need to force the Blue Bombers to turn the ball over to limit their scoring potential, protect the flow of the game, and allow the Tiger-Cats to operate on a short field. It is worth noting that the Blue Bombers have thrown a large number of interceptions this year, regardless of whether Collaros or Streveler was at quarterback.
Key to Victory #5: Produce Explosive Plays Offensively
The final piece to the Tiger-Cats’ plan for success against the Blue Bombers will be their need to generate explosive plays that lead to points. Similar to last week, Hamilton will need to rely on their run game to set up deep shots to wide receivers Kenny Lawler and Kiondre Smith, utilizing their play-action passing plays. Hamilton has also employed some well-timed trick plays recently and has worked to improve their situation during kick and punt returns, with Lawrence Woods III being out of action. Finally, defensive touchdowns would set the Tiger-Cats up for ultimate success against Winnipeg this week.
Game Prediction:
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31, Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27
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