Looking back on Bombers shocking, and convincing, win over CFL’s top team

It was getting harder and harder to believe in the 2026 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

If anyone outside their locker room picked them to beat the Montreal Alouettes, they must’ve kept it to themselves, as pundits — this one included — and armchair quarterbacks across the nation doubted their chances heading into Friday night.

And honestly, rightfully so. The Bombers had left a lot to be desired through their opening 10 games.

But no matter what the stats say or what outsiders think, they play the games for a reason.

Bombers play most complete game of season to dump powerhouse Alouettes

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to play four of their best quarters of football to even stand a chance.

There was no denying it, because with the powerhouse Montreal Alouettes in town, everyone knew it was going to take that — and then some — to slay the CFL’s top team.

Recent weeks suggested the Bombers weren’t capable of such a performance, but they dug deep at the perfect time and silenced a never-ending list of doubters to prevail 44-28 on Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium.

Where the heck have these Bombers been all year?

‘They’ve got confidence, but they do have their flaws’

The shoe has been on the other foot during the Winnipeg Blue Bombers golden years, so it’s tough to find anyone on the current roster ready to adopt the underdog mentality.

Going into Friday’s game with the league-leading Montreal Alouettes, though, the Bombers recognize they’re running into a buzzsaw.

At 9-1, the Alouettes are the cream of the crop in the CFL and it’s tough to identify any weaknesses in the team that bounced the Bombers from the playoffs last November.

“I love it,” said running back Brady Oliveira. “You want to play against the best every single week. I always talk about going up against the best defensive players every single week. That excites me.

Blue Bombers out to do more than stay close to Alouettes

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers need to find their A-game to have a fighting chance on Friday night.

The Blue and Gold (5-5) are in for their stiffest test yet this season when they host the mighty Montreal Alouettes (9-1).

The Bombers, who are 2-4 at Princess Auto Stadium and coming off a disappointing showing in Edmonton, haven’t looked like a team that can hang with Montreal. But if the home side can somehow, someway slay the beast out of the East Division, it could change their entire season.

And maybe they have a better chance than most people think. They have won 12 out of their last 16 regular-season meetings with the Als.

Bombers keep the faith despite being heavy underdogs in own backyard against Als

Good luck finding someone who believes in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week.

Sure, they’re in OK shape at 5-5, but they’ve had some real stinkers lately.

Their lowlights include getting torched for 52 points by Calgary, surrendering a franchise-worst 377 rushing yards to B.C., and producing a measly 19 yards of net offence in the final two quarters against Edmonton.

With all that, and the fact that they’re hosting a 9-1 Montreal Alouettes side that feels nearly untouchable, it’s hard to envision Bomber fans high-fiving one another as they leave Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

Bombers defence is in for its stiffest test of the season against Als

Jordan Younger sees the growing pains, yet he still sees the potential through it all. This isn’t about watching film through rose-coloured glasses either, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator has no trouble acknowledging the issues that have occasionally plagued his unit during a 5-5 start.

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are being criticized by some fans online for booking the University of North Dakota’s marching band for Friday’s game against Montreal.

Bombers rookie Williams a hidden gem in the club’s secondary

Major Williams was far from a lock to make the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Bombers offensive co-ordinator Condell takes accountability for loss to Elks

Tommy Condell isn’t about to throw his hands up in frustration. That’s simply not the way the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator is wired.

And while the state of the offence remains a source of consternation for many in the Bombers fan base, Condell continues to plug away at ensuring steps will be taken to raise the efficiency levels down the stretch.

The club appeared to have taken a significant step forward in that category last Friday, jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter that became a 10-point cushion at the half after the Edmonton Elks scored a late major.

Then came a head-scratching third quarter that featured a pair of two-and-outs for the visitors at Commonwealth Stadium in what eventually became a 22-19 defeat.

Bombers late-game defensive errors boil down to technique

It feels silly to criticize the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defence on their latest showing.

To go on the road, force three turnovers, and hold the No. 1-ranked team in the West Division to 22 points is an impressive feat that should be heaped with praise.

But in the final minute of the game, the unit needed to tackle better.

With the score tied 19-19, the Edmonton Elks faced a second and three from their own 46-yard line when running back Justin Rankin squeezed through three defenders for a 16-yard gain.

Bombers offence takes responsibility after tale of two halves against Elks

Patrick Neufeld has played more than 200 CFL games, but his most recent one was among the most puzzling of his career.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers played arguably their best two quarters of the season and led 16-6 over the Edmonton Elks at halftime last Friday.

And then the second half hit.

The Bombers returned to the field and looked like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues and Shawn Bradley after the Monstars had stolen their basketball skills in Space Jam.

The good, bad and record setting performance in Bombers loss to Elks

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 22-19 defeat at the hands of the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium in Alberta on Friday was fitting for all the wrong reasons.

The Bombers looked reinvigorated as they jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first half. Then some bad habits reared their ugly head, as the Elks roared back with 19 straight points before kicker Vincent Blanchard walked it off with a 40-yard field goal.

A night that began with so much promise left many fans to wonder what the ceiling actually is for this team in 2026.

On offence, Zach Collaros completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown and an interception; Brady Oliveira amassed 118 yards on 16 carries and added a pair of catches for 11 yards; and Nic Demski secured five grabs for 80 yards.

Bombers offence stalls in 22-19 loss to Elks

It was a microcosm of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ season to this point: a first half that burned bright only to be doused in cold water.

The Bombers began the first leg of their mid-season gauntlet with a 22-19 loss to the Edmonton Elks at Commonwealth Stadium in the Alberta capital on Friday night.

Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo orchestrated an eight-play, 54-yard drive that set up a 40-yard game-winning field goal by Vincent Blanchard that snuck inside the left upright with zeros on the clock.

The drive, which was plagued by poor tackling by the Bombers defence, came after Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo tied the game at 19-19 on a 53-yard boot with 1:41 remaining in the contest.

One more 50-plus yard kick for Castillo — for the record

After last Friday’s win over Ottawa, it was brought to Sergio Castillo’s attention that he had just made CFL history.

On Wednesday, however, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker found out that a mistake was made and that he still has some work to do.

Castillo drilled a 56-yard field goal at the end of the half which, at the time, was believed to be his 41st career 50-plus yarder which set a new league record.

Castillo, as one would, spoke about the accomplishment earlier in the week and reflected on his journey to the milestone.

Bombers face season test playing best in the West

The page has officially flipped to the second half of the season, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers find themselves teetering in the CFL’s grey zone, with the scale capable of tipping in either direction.

Sure, the club would be in the playoffs if the regular season ended today, but it’s closer to the bottom of the West Division than it is to the top.

The club’s perpetually optimistic head coach Mike O’Shea said earlier this week that his team is “probably where we need to be.”

Beyond O’Shea, it’s a mixed bag of reviews from coaches and players alike about how they are feeling through nine contests.