Bombers running out of last chances

By: Ed Tait Posted: 2:38 PM CDT Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are running out of last chances.

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are running out of last chances.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/10/2015 (3722 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are running out of last chances.

The Bombers, 5-11, face the 9-6 Ottawa Redblacks this afternoon at Investors Group Field with their playoff hopes fading. A loss today doesn’t officially eliminate them but given what happened Friday night — with both the Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions winning to improve to 6-10 – the Bombers need a victory to remain in the discussion. The Bombers, who have a bye next week and have played one more game than the Als and Leos, wrap up the season on Nov. 6th against Toronto.

The Bombers have made a couple of lineup changes, both on their defensive line, adding new defensive tackle Leon Mackey in place of Zach Anderson while Greg Peach will start at end in place of the injured Derrell Johnson.

Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press
Winnipeg Blue Bombers' linebacker Tony Burnett reacts after mishandling the ball for no return on an Ottawa kick during second half CFL action in Ottawa, on Friday. — Adrian Wyld / The Canadian Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers' linebacker Tony Burnett reacts after mishandling the ball for no return on an Ottawa kick during second half CFL action in Ottawa, on Friday.

Meanwhile, left tackle Stanley Bryant, who has missed all week to tend to a personal matter, is on the field for the Bombers and expected to be in the starting lineup.

The Redblacks, given the losses by Hamilton and Toronto Friday, now have a chance to improve to 10-6 and move into a share of first place in the East Division with the Ticats.

Recapping, in brief, our five storylines from today’s paper:

1. The Bombers must stop Redblacks QB Henry Burris – the 40-year-old surgeon. The CFL Most Outstanding Player candidate was 23 of 29 for 268 yards and a TD at halftime in last week’s win over Winnipeg.

2. The Bombers starts have been awful in recent weeks. They were down 16-0 at halftime last week, 23-9 to B.C. at the half before rallying to a win the week before.

3. Testing Jovon Johnson: The former Bomber picked off two Matt Nichols passes last week and is again daring the Winnipeg offence to come after him.

4. Special teams magic: They were fantastic in the win over B.C. two weeks ago and could use more of that today against a Redblacks team that is iffy on special teams

5. Better tackling: Bomber head coach Mike O’Shea said the defence missed 20 tackles in last week’s loss, extending Redblacks drives.

It’s currently 10C in Winnipeg, perfect for late October football, in what will be the Bombers last home game of the season.