Playoffs no longer mad fantasy for Bombers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2016 (3511 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Let the bells ring out and the banners fly, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Thanks to their 37-35 win over the B.C Lions Saturday combined with losses by the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts Monday, the Blue and Gold are assured of at least a crossover CFL post-season berth.

The Bombers set the stage Saturday afternoon, edging the Lions at Investors Group Field. Winnipeg (9-6) now prepares for the rematch against the Lions (9-5) Friday night at BC Place in a game that could very well determine second place in the West Division.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look back at five takeaways from Saturday’s game:

THEY’RE IN

With three games remaining on the schedule, there are a number of places the Bombers could end up in the standings, with possibilities ranging from second place in the West to the crossover spot in the East.

At 9-6, the Bombers are tied for second place with the Lions. who have a game in hand. Edmonton, at 8-7, is two points behind Winnipeg in third.

The Bombers, who play the Lions this week before a bye week followed by a home-and-home series against the Ottawa Redblacks to close out the season, are control of their destiny. If they win their final three games, they’ll secure second place in the West, meaning they’d play host to the West semifinal game at IGF.

Either way, the Bombers will get their shot at hoisting the Grey Cup.

DENMARK DOES IT AGAIN

Clarence Denmark had just three touchdowns in each of his last two seasons with the Bombers. His lack of production, a consistent theme in recent years, and his high price tag were the main reasons he was sitting on the couch in his Florida home when the Bombers came calling after a Week 6 win over Edmonton.

What seemed like an unorthodox move — bringing back a player who had been cut after spending five seasons with the club — has turned into one of the best stories of 2016.

Denmark scored his seventh touchdown — his previous season-high was five in 2011, his rookie year — in just his eighth game, reeling in a 22-yard catch that proved to be the game-winning score.

With American receiver Tori Gurley, signed by the Bombers late last week, expecting to figure into the starting rotation sooner than later, it’s hard to imagine Denmark being the odd man out.

A better question is: just how far will he go?

DYNAMIC DUO

When running back Andrew Harris declared himself ready to go against the Lions after missing the last three games with an ankle injury, it looked to spell the end of the road for Timothy Flanders, as least for the time being. Flanders had played well in relief of Harris, chewing up yards on the ground and in the air, including two touchdowns in three games as a starter.

Saturday may have the Bombers rethinking what to do after both Harris and Flanders suited up and played pivotal roles in the win. Harris, amped by playing his former team, touched the ball six times on the Bombers’ game-opening drive, including a seven-yard reception for a touchdown. Flanders, not to be outdone, opened the second quarter with a 16-yard dash to the end zone to put the Bombers up 21-3. The two combined for 85 yards on the ground — Harris added another 50 through the air on five catches.

After the game, Harris appeared genuinely happy about splitting carries with Flanders and seemingly open to the idea. Head coach Mike O’Shea was less committal, and though he’s been impressed with both, said the right set of circumstances made it possible Saturday.

We’ll have to wait to see if the stars align once more.

MEDLOCK MONEY

With Justin Medlock in the lineup, it’s become a foregone conclusion if the Bombers reach their opponent’s 40-yard line, they will end up with points on the scoreboard.

The Bombers kicker continued his clutch season Saturday, hitting all three of his field-goal attempts. Medlock hit from 15, 32, and 48 yards, respectively, setting a club record for field goals in a single season with 48 — one more than Troy Westwood’s two campaigns of 47 in 1993 and 2002.

After starting the season 8-for-12, Medlock has settled into a groove. He’s been perfect from close range, hitting his last 32 attempts from within 40 yards, including a flawless 29-for-29 this season.

The Bombers will need to continue to cash in on Medlock’s sure foot down the stretch, as the games become bigger and the points more important.

FAR FROM PERFECT

As good as the Bombers were against a team among the best in the CFL, they were far from perfect.

The Lions put up a whopping 513 yards of net offence compared to the Bombers’ 345. Although Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings didn’t throw for a touchdown, he did torch the Bombers’ secondary for 422 yards. Special teams also struggled at times, allowing Chris Rainey a combined 238 yards in kick-off and punt returns.

After a first quarter where everything seemed to go right, including a pair of trick plays that resulted in receiver Rory Kohlert hitting quarterback Matt Nichols with a four-yard TD pass, the Bombers took their foot off the gas. Winnipeg surrendered a 21-point lead to trail twice in the game, including being down early in the fourth quarter.

Had Maurice Leggett not stuffed Rainey on a third-and-one inside the Bombers’ five-yard line with less than a minute to go, the game could have been lost.

Even after the Leggett play the Bombers almost shot themselves in the foot. Trying to milk the clock by running the ball, Harris appeared to fumble, with the Lions pouncing on the ball inside the Winnipeg 10-yard line. The officials ruled Harris down by contact; it was reviewed and despite the ball appearing to slip out before Harris hit the ground, the play stood.

The Bombers will need to be better next week if they plan to come out of BC Place with a win over the Lions.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University’s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff.

Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.