The Bombers look to regroup after losing their second game of the season last week against Calgary. They are also looking beat the team that beat them in the Grey Cup last year. So while the Bombers are 3-2, and the Argos are 1-5, expect this to be a close game. Toronto absolutely had their way with Winnipeg in the 2024 Grey Cup.
Even if the Bombers are not looking back to the 2024 Grey Cup, they are at least looking back to last week when they dropped their second game to Calgary. In that game Bridges left his reciever completely open, but at least he is saying all the right things.
But it is going to take more than talk from this Bombers team if they are going to beat Toronto. It is going to take playing a complete (or very near complete) game. In their last two outings the Bombers found multiple ways to lose…now they need to find a way to win.
With Calgary losing on Thursday night, and Saskatchewan winning on Friday night, Winnipeg can start climbing back with a win against Toronto. But it will not be easy for Winnipeg as they will still be without some key pieces.
What should grab your attention immediately, is that for the second week in a row the Bombers are sitting Dillion Mitchell and playing Case instead (and Case did not have a clean game in his last one). The Bombers signed Dillion for about 148,000 in hard money and gave him a 63,000 signing bonus…and now when there is a spot open he sits? And it is not like his statistics are bad. Something is off here.
Mitchell set career highs last year with the Elks, finishing with 58 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns in 18 games. He led Edmonton in kickoff return yards, returning 23 for 535 yards, which ranked sixth in the Canadian Football League. Mitchell also handled 19 punt returns covering 172 yards, second on the Elks.
Mitchell suited up for 45 games over his three years with the Elks and had 130 catches for 1,896 yards and 12 touchdowns. He posted four 100-yard receiving games during his days in Edmonton. – source
Bombers Depth Chart
The Bombers continue to dress more on the defensive side of the ball than the the offensive side of the ball. This seems to indicate that the Bombers are going to continue to rotate players in and keep their defense fast and rested. But to highlight the fact one more time, there was room for Dillon Mitchell on this depth chart, by scratching one guy on the defensive side of the ball. There are still questions yet to be answered. Also of interest, Novak is out and rookie Ethan Ball will make his CFL debut at free safety.
Winnipeg’s Keys To A Win
Protect Zach Collaros The Bombers offensive line has been suspect multiple times this year. If the Bombers want to win this game and find themselves as contenders latter in the season that have to protect Collaros.
Run The Ball Oliveira has yet to score a touchdown; that is unthinkable! The Bombers have an elite running back and yet they seemed to get away from the run the last couple of games. Their game plan needs to be one where there is no such thing as Toronto ‘talking them out of the run game.’ That is the Bombers’ bread and butter and Bomber fans are ready to see some “bully ball.”
Get Into The Red-Zone The Bombers are the best at converting when they get to the red-zone, even after some untimely interceptions. The issue for the Bombers is not that they do not convert. At 79% conversion rate, the Bombers need to find themselves in the red-zone more often.
Stop Shooting Yourself In The Foot Often there are 3 keys to the game…but this week there is a fourth one. The Bombers could do all of the above, but if they keep shooting themselves in the foot, none of it will matter.
2nd Bonus Key – Willie Be Running Willie Jefferson needs to make his presence known with some clean hits and knockdowns. And will Arbuckle be running fro his life? Arbuckle is not a free space on the bingo card; he is the quarterback that beat the Bombers in the 2024 Grey Cup! The Bombers could help themselves out with Willie getting after Arbuckle and making him scramble.
Final Thoughts I would not look at the records of these teams in predicting who will win. While the Argos sit at 1-5 and the Bombers are 3-2 do not be fooled; I expect this to be a close game. For whatever reason, Winnipeg struggles in Toronto. Oh yah, and do not forget that this is a Grey Cup rematch. I am not sure that either team will put too much focus on that fact, but with the Grey Cup being held in Winnipeg this year, the Bombers are going to be looking to play better and more consistent football. If the Bombers do not win this one, we will one again be asking “Are the Bombers in trouble?“
What did you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.
