There are two ways to look at this loss for the Bombers. First you could say the game consisted of two heavy weights trading blows and one team – Saskatchewan – just landed the last punch. Or you could say that the Bombers proved why they are a third place team.
The Good For Winnipeg
Collaros
Except for the 2 point convert try that was intercepted, Collaros played a decent game. I will not call it ‘good’ or ‘very good’ because there are areas that he needed to be better at. One of those areas were his reads. In particular there were times when Collaros needed to tuck the ball and run to get a first down and instead looked for a pass. One thing Collaros did well was the long ball.
Receivers
Winnipeg has been criticized about their receivers this year, and rightfully so. However, in the game against Saskatchewan, the receivers came to play.
The Bad
Run Game Or Lack Thereof
Just to be fair right off the hop, there were plays called that were option plays were Collaros could have, and did, pull the ball. So it is not quite accurate to say that Oliveira only had 5 plays called for him. However, it is correct to say that the Bombers did not call enough designated run plays.
Bomber fans hoped that after last week’s game we were going to see a different type of game plan where Oliveira got more touches. I have said it in a different article and I will say it again, if Oliveira does not get used more I do not think he is a Bomber next year – regardless of his contract if Winnipeg has the same offensive coordinator in 2026. The Bombers can make all the excuses why there are not running the ball, but I believe it comes down to the fact that they lack an identity.
Offensive Play Calling
What are the Bombers doing close to the goal line putting Streveller in? I actually do not mind if they have Streveller in for the first down attempt. That makes the defense not sure if Streveller is going to run or if Brady is going to run…because being honest here, when Streveller is in it is a run play.
However, when that does not work then you have to go back to your number one offence on second down. What about third down? I do not mind the Bombers going for the short field goal as opposed to gambling. If the Bombers had been stopped on third down it would be massively deflating for Winnipeg and a huge momentum boost for Saskatchewan. Watching the game with my son I told him, “The Bombers just need to stick around.”
Not Being Ready For The Tick Play
Leading up to the game I said, “This also tends to be the time of year that teams break out ‘trick’ or ‘gadget’ plays. Never wanting to show them too early in the season, yet making teams have to prepare for them for the rest of the season, this weekend is a great one for a trick play or two. Add to the fact that not only do both teams want to beat each other, with the standing where they are, both teams need to beat each other. After this game the Bombers and Riders are going to play two more times, so getting the first win in a three game series is critical.”
Somehow, I could see that there was a trick play on the horizon but the Bombers could not. Did it really make sense for the Riders to gamble on 3rd and 6 from the Bombers 44 yard line with 1:28 left in the game and up 31-24? Sure, maybe the Riders do not trust Lauther to make it from that distance as he has not had a great year. And no, I do not think I have seen Harris kick the ball before. But somehow, the Bombers need to know that something is off.
Did The Trick Play Actually Matter?
As far as the outcome of that play, one could argue that it had little impact on the result of the game…because it was not a safety…which the Riders were going for. By giving up a single point instead of getting the ball on the 1 yard line needing a touchdown and 1 point conversion to tie, the Bombers got the ball on the 40 yard line and needed a touchdown and a 2 point conversion to tie. Which situation would you prefer?
However, if it were a safety, then the Bombers would have given up 2 points, and the Rides would have gotten the ball back…game over. But that is not how it played out. Obviously, the Riders thought that going for the safety was better than trying a Lauther filed goal from that range, and that should give the Bombers some information for the rematch game – the Banjo Bowl.
One could even argue that the trick play worked in favour of the Bombers…unless you think Winnipeg can drive the field in that amount of time as they would only need a 1 point conversion to tie. The point is, that even though the Bombers were not ready for the trick play, that did not lose them the game.
Missed 2 Point Convert
Did you like the play call?
Some argue that Collaros should have thrown to Demski coming across the middle. Others say that Demski was not open until Collaros threw the ball. My question is would Demski have come open if Collaros held the ball longer; and could Collaros hold the ball longer with a defender coming after him? All we know for sure is that after the game, Collaros said that he needed to throw that ball better.
Final Thoughts
Right now, I do not see a way that Winnipeg finishes better than 3rd in the West. In their remaining games Winnipeg plays, Saskatchewan, Hamilton, Ottawa Hamilton, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, and Montreal.
Tell me how are the Bombers going to leap-frog Calgary – who holds the season series against them – and catch up to Saskatchewan. If the Bombers had won the Labour Day Classic it would be a bit of a different story. Then if Winnipeg won in the Banjo Bowl they would be tied with Saskatchewan and hold the season series. Conceivably, one could make the argument that the Bombers still have that path forward if they beat Saskatchewan the next 2 times. However, right now I wonder if the Bombers get more than 10 wins.
What do you think about the Bombers loss to the Riders, and how do you think the Bombers will do the rest of the season? Let me know in the comments wherever you are reading this.
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