In the lead-up to the game I said this, "More Than 1 Reason: Why This Game Is Crucial For Bombers vs Montreal," and yet the Bombers laid an egg!
For example, the Bombers did not score a single first down in the fourth quarter.
With only 6 first downs in the whole game it does not even matter to look at the stats...of course they are going to be very slanted. And before anyone (or anyone else) wants to blame the officiating, the officiating is not the reason that the Bombers lost.
The Bombers also did not lose because Philpot had a huge game. While he certainly did have a huge game, he was not the reason that the Bombers were unable to get first downs and points.
The Bombers Did Exactly What They Could Not Afford To Do
1) No Balance:
The Bombers were unable to do what they did the last time they played Montreal. They needed to find that balance between limiting Davis' ability to run the ball himself, while not giving him all day to find a receiver. I know that was a tough ask but last time they met the Bombers hedged on limiting Davis' ability to run...and gave him all day to find a receiver, and that led to some explosion plays. It seemed liked the Bombers were going with that game plan again, but when it was not working the Bombers failed to adjust.
2) No Consistency:
The Bombers have not been consistent with their run game. That is true within the game itself, and even within quarters of the game. Before the game I said, "If the Bombers want to stay on the field and keep Alexander off the field then then Bombers are going to have to commit to the run." Sure, Montreal stopped Oliveira on 2nd and 4, but that is no reason to only give Brady 9 touches.
And I am so done with the argument, "They had to throw the ball because they were down a lot of points." First, how well is that working for the Bombers? Second, you do not go down by 27 points in one series. That is why I used the word "commit."
3) Shoot Themselves In the Foot
The 2026 Bombers cannot afford bozo plays. Here are all the things that I said they could not afford to do in this game and win: bad balls that lead to interceptions, terrible penalties that extend the opponent's drive/takes points off the board for the Bombers, missing field goals that should be automatic, gambling or not gambling (also know as 'going for it on 3rd down') at the wrong times, and challenging/not throwing the challenge flag, dropping a sure touchdown pass. Oh, yah, also not throwing interceptions.
I guess I should have added, 'find a way to protect against the long ball.' Because once again, the Bombers did not give up the long ball because, 'Well it was Davis Alexander throwing to Philpot and Snead.'
That is a copout. The Bombers have struggled all season in defending the long ball.
4) Score Points Also
We knew that Montreal was going to put up points. One of the problems for the Bombers in 2026 is that they do not put up many points. There may be numerous reasons for that; a terrible offensive line; bad play calling, as well as having the 8th and 12th best quarterbacks in the league.
I simply could not see the Bombers putting up 44 points again against Montreal, so they needed to limit Montreal from scoring.
The Bombers do not have to play a perfect game. But they simply cannot have self-inflicted wounds and hope to win. They are not good enough to win in a game where they do that.
Potential Outcomes From Such A Failure
This loss was problematic for the Bombers on numerous fronts. First of all the Bombers had a chance to work their way back into the playoff conversation, but they are now sitting in 5th in the West...the only position in the West that will miss the playoffs due to the crossover.
The Bad
But it is not just the standings. Bomber fans are becoming restless. Some are calling for a full regime change. Others want to throw in the towel for 2026 and see Perkins and Elgersma play.
Imagine the Bombers not making the playoffs in 2026 or having an early exit from the playoffs. There are already fans not excited about the 2027 rule changes. Curiously, the Bomber's (and most other CFL team's) website shows the new seating map for 2027 season tickets. When I spoke with the Bombers the other day they did confirm that the field size change was still going to happen for 2027.
Montreal has filed for an exemption, and has not shown the new field size for 2027 on their website. I simply cannot imagine that the CFL would give Montreal an exception.
I have also heard from my neighbor that his friend has cancelled his season tickets for 2027, citing the rule changes. My neighbour has kept his season tickets for 2027 and told me that he would watch a 5-13 Bombers team, but he is not interested in watching NFL style CFL. I think that is going to be the sentiment of a lot of Bomber fans, 'I will support and enjoy watching this team through good and bad years...but not when they change the fundamentals of the game.'
The Next Game
With one more home game against Calgary, the Bombers need to win that one. First, it will keep them in a playoff hunt. And second, fans would likely be a bit more tempered if the Bombers won their last home game. It absolutely amazes me that the Bombers have sold over 30,000 tickets already to the final home game of 2026!
If the Bombers lose their last home game, and if the Bomber miss the playoffs, there will be a lot of upset fans. The one saving grace for the Bombers is that many of their season ticket holders locked in for 3 years (until the end of 2027) - to get a discount on their 2025 Grey Cup ticket.
While the Bombers have an extra game remaining (1 more than Calgary) if the Bombers beat Calgary they will have the season series over Calgary. That could be monumental to securing 4th place and crossing over. Realistically, that is where I see the Bombers finishing, unless they end up in fifth.
Still Hope?
As poor as the Bombers played in Montreal there is still hope that they could finish higher than 4th.
There are a lot of West vs West games remaining.
Saskatchewan has also been on a free-fall lately (losing 3 in a row; Winnipeg, BC, Calgary). Add to that, Saskatchewan has Montreal twice and Edmonton once. Saskatchewan could fall out of playoff positioning.
Not The Solution
The solution is not a healthy Zach Collaros, as he is the 8th best quarterback in the league.
While that is what the Bombers will have to go with, they are going to need to find a new plan in 2027 (even if Collaros does not retire). And while Elgersma seems to be the succession plan, the issue with putting him in behind a suspect offensive line is that the Bombers could burn him. By that I mean this, there has been more than 1 CFL quarterback that shows promise and has been thrown into the fire by a desperate CFL team, and that quarterback has had a short lived career.
Final Thoughts
While there is still a lot to be decided in the remaining three weeks of the regular season the Bombers are in trouble. Not only for 2026, but at this point for 2027.
In previous years I would say, 'Trust the process," meaning that the Bombers' brass (General Manager Kyle Walters, and Head Coach Mike O'Shea) know what they are doing even though they do not tip their hand. That is a little bit harder to say when the Bomber look poised to not hit double digit wins for the first timer since 2015. Even in the shortened 14 game season in 2021 the Bombers had 11 wins. Last year the Bombers narrowly got their with a record of 10-8, and then lost in the Semi-Finals.
Even if the Bombers do make the playoffs I do not see them making much noise in it.
Tell me I am wrong. I would love to be wrong. But more than that tell me why I am wrong, tell me why/how the Bombers are going to win 1 playoff game...let alone 2 to get the the Grey Cup.
If you have finally recovered from the Bombers' brutal performance, I would suggest you do not watch these 'highlights.'
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.