If there is anything the Winnipeg Blue Bombers do consistently in 2025 it is that they do not make it easy on themselves! For the second time in a row the Bombers blew a decent lead and almost lost the game.

To believe that the Bombers could snatch defeat from the jaws of victory two weeks in a row would be unthinkable only a year ago. But on Thursday night, that is what almost happened. Blowing a lead against Calgary, you would have though that the Bombers would have figured it out. But alas, no, the Bombers are still a work in progress in every facet of the game.

In the first quarter Winnipeg would stop Ottawa three times on the goal line. With a start like that you would have though the defense had turned it around. To top it off, Winnipeg was up on Ottawa 20-3 going into the half. The Bombers looked like they had the game in check. Unfortunately, we saw the same thing happen against Ottawa that we did against Calgary the week prior. The Bombers completely fell stagnant in the third quarter, and were outscored in the fourth quarter. And in what seemed to be a shocking case of reoccurrence, the Bombers almost lost the game again late in the fourth quarter.

However, this week that game was almost lost on a missed field goal by the Bombers. This is very ironic, because in the game against Calgary, Castillo kicks a CFL record tying 63 yard field goal…and the Bombers lose. Yet, in the game against Ottawa Castillo missed a 57 yard filed goal, which was returned for a touchdown by Pimpleton, which ties the game….and yet the Bombers win.

If the Pimpleton return for a touchdown was not bad enough, on his very next snap Collaros throws an interception with 46 seconds on the clock. I was there! I was in the building, and the feeling was like all the oxygen was quickly removed. The fans went from hope, to hoping for overtime, to being ready to see another Bomber loss in a matter of seconds.

Yet somehow, unlike last week, the Bombers’ defense was able to make a stop and Castillo kicked a walk off filed goal.

And that is essentially how it shook out. But it never should have been that close. Dru Brown got injured and that should have given the Bombers defense the will to put the game to bed. Yet instead, Crum comes into the game and arguably does better than Dru Brown.

Growing Concerning Trends
1. Collaros
While he had almost 300 yards, he still threw more interceptions than touchdowns…and that is a growing trend that will be problematic should it continue in the playoffs. Zach has not played particularly well in the playoffs as of late; and clinching first in the West looks like a daunting task. That means that the Bombers will likely have to play an extra playoff game.

2. Vanishing Run Game
Where is it, and where does it go? The Bombers used to dominate because they would wear down defenses with a continual barrage of runs. But that has vanished. Even when the Bombers start running the ball they stop. Could it be that the lack of receivers means that other teams game plan to stop the run and make the Bombers beat them in the air? Maybe. But the Bombers had a decent passing game and still did not run the ball.

My guess is that there are a couple of things going on at the same time. First, and because we have seen it this year, the Bombers are not as committed to the run as previous years. Why? That is perplexing indeed. This is inconceivable as their offensive coordinator used to be their running backs coach, and he saw what happened in the 2024 Grey Cup! The only thing I can think of is that his plate is too full and he cannot handle the extra load and is out-thinking himself.

Secondly, yes, I think teams are scheming against the Bombers to make the Bombers beat them with the run. My response, ‘Big deal!’ In previous years the Bombers could run the ball when everyone on the other sideline knew it was going to be a run. The Bombers are trying to talk teams out of game planning to stop the run by throwing the ball. This has not worked as the Bombers keep throwing interceptions. Stop reinventing the wheel. Go back to showing teams that they can hope to stop the run, but it just will not work. But I guess teams like the Bombers flounder here when they do not have an identity.

Houston We Don’t Have A Problem
Demerio Houston is set to join the Bombers again after being released by the Stampeders following him being charged – however it appears that the charges have been dismissed and the Bombers are ready to bring him back. When Bombers’ Head Coach, Mike O’Shea was asked about this he said that need will never trump integrity. And you can see his full comments on Demerio Houston here.

As for Demerio Houston, here is what he had to say.

Schoen Sighting
So while the Bombers continue to try and fix their defense – one that has given up way too many big plays – their offence might be in for a bit of a boost soon also. But it looks like they are going to have to wait at least one more week.

Final Thoughts
At 5-4 the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are in the thick of it and if they keep figuring it out will likely be battling for 2nd place in the West. Holding the season series over BC gives them a bit of breathing room; and Saskatchewan plays Calgary this week so one of those teams will lose.

But the Bombers need to string together wins; and that will be tough. They play Montreal in Montreal this week, then they are in Saskatchewan, then host Saskatchewan, then head to Hamilton before facing Ottawa again. If there is one thing the Bomber can take solace in is that you just have to make it to the playoffs and then anything can happen. Sure this might not be a 2019 like year, but with the CFL playoffs being a 1-and-done format anything can happen.

See all the highs and lows once more:

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