Blue Bombers, Lions clash once more in wild, wild West Division

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This article was published 13/10/2016 (3285 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers wrap up a home-and-home series against the B.C. Lions at BC Place tonight. The Bombers (9-6) defeated the Lions (9-5), 37-35, last weekend to put the two teams in a tie for second place in the CFL’s West Division, with the Lions holding a game in hand.

A victory for Winnipeg, which clinched a playoff berth last week, would not only make up that ground, but keep the Blue Bombers in full control of their own destiny as they head into a bye week before another home-and-home series with the Ottawa Redblacks to close out the 2016 regular-season schedule.

With that, here are five storylines to keep an eye on tonight:

TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

Last week’s game featured a combined 72 points, a 21-point comeback by the Lions, a game-clinching goal-line stand by the Bombers in the final minute, followed by controversy as Winnipeg appeared to get away with a fumble non-call in the dying seconds that would have given the Lions another shot at the win.

It is a tough act to follow, but there won’t be a need for any added spectacles tonight. There is a lot on the line, including a shot at second place in the West and the right to play host to a post-season game.

“You want to be able to come out and still have that same intensity, knowing that we’re fighting for a lot coming down this stretch,” Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols said in the lobby of a downtown Vancouver hotel Thursday. “I fully expect it to be a battle that comes down to the little things and who doesn’t make the big mistakes.”

The Lions, who need to win by at least three points to claim the season series (the formula used to determine a tiebreaker), can create some breathing room with a win. For the Bombers, a victory would clinch the season series and keep them in second place for at least the next two weeks, putting them in the driver’s seat for their final two games of the regular season.

BOUNCE BACK FOR B.C.?

Winnipeg has won the last three games against the Lions and two of the last three at BC Place. But if history suggests anything, it’s the Lions have been able to bounce back quickly from a loss, much because of the play of quarterback Jonathon Jennings.

Jennings, who threw for 422 yards but no touchdowns against the Bombers last week, is a perfect 4-0 after a loss, completing 74.2 per cent of his passes for eight touchdowns and one interception. With a record of 0-2 against the Bombers over his two seasons in the CFL, Jennings has some added motivation to redeem himself, feeling he owes the Bombers one.

“That’s part of it,” Jennings said after the Lions’ walk-through practice in Surrey, B.C. “We’re trying to seal that home playoff game and it starts this week against them.”

Jennings eclipsed 4,000 passing yards for the season last week.

At the young age of 24, he’s blossomed into one of the league’s elite pivots in just his second season in the CFL and first as the team’s undisputed No. 1 quarterback.

Jennings credits his success to the play of his offensive line, and to his arsenal of talented receivers, including the tandem of Emmanuel Arceneaux and Bryan Burnham.

Burnham had a career game against the Bombers a week ago, reeling in nine catches for 208 yards. The duo combined for 358 yards on 19 receptions in the game.

DOWN TO THE WIRE

Maurice Leggett came out of last week’s game early in the second half after suffering what looked to be a serious leg injury during a special-teams tackle. He returned for the Lions’ last drive in time to help seal the win, stuffing running back Chris Rainey on a third-and-one inside the Bombers’ five-yard line with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter.

Leggett was lauded by his teammates and head coach Mike O’Shea, who seemed in awe of Legget’s resiliency late in a game in which he also recorded his league-leading seventh interception.

Leggett hasn’t practised since, which puts some serious doubt into whether he’ll play tonight. O’Shea, when asked if Leggett made the trip with the team — he’s currently listed on the 46-man roster (it’s eventually trimmed to 44 come kickoff) — wasn’t willing to say one way or the other.

If Leggett can’t go, Julian Posey will likely slide into his spot.

With Ian Wild also likely to miss a third consecutive game — he, too, didn’t practise this week — the Bombers will have just one American backup linebacker, Kyle Knox, in their lineup.

The Bombers’ depth has been challenged all season, and to their credit they’ve persevered, but this may just be their biggest test yet.

TORI’S DEBUT

The Bombers will tonight get their first look at Tori Gurley.

Gurley, a big target at 6-5, 230 pounds, was acquired by Winnipeg last week following his release from the Toronto Argonauts. Gurley was just one of four receivers to get the boot from Toronto for behavioural issues.

Gurley, who tied for the league lead in receiving touchdowns last season (10) and, at the time of his release, was leading the Argos with five, insists what happened in Toronto was all a misunderstanding and he looks forward to starting over in Winnipeg.

He took first-team reps with the Winnipeg offence all week and has been nose-deep in offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice’s playbook since his arrival.

If Gurley can keep his emotions in check, he should be a viable weapon, particularly in the red zone. Of his 15 touchdowns in the CFL, 11 have come on plays within an opponent’s 20-yard line, and 13 inside the 40. With Darvin Adams injured and out of the lineup, Winnipeg has been without a big-bodied threat.

Gurley arrived with a lot of hype and some questions marks. This week, there should finally be some answers.

TWO-BACK ATTACK

If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Against a Lions team that ranks tops in the CFL against the run, the Blue Bombers were able to penetrate the line of scrimmage last week using both their running backs (Andrew Harris and Timothy Flanders).

It was the first time this season the Bombers have utilized a two-tailback approach; at times, both lined up in the backfield, creating some confusion for the Lions. It worked: the two combined for 21 touches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Given its success, the Bombers will once again turn to the two-back attack.

“At this point in the season, to have someone to spell you off is great,” said Harris, who missed three games with a lower-body injury prior to returning to the lineup last week. “Tim has been playing so great and he definitely deserves to be on the roster.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton