Another week, another frustrating loss

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This article was published 10/09/2018 (2610 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was another week and another disappointing loss for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

A 32-27 defeat at the hands of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saturday’s Banjo Bowl now makes it four straight losses for the Blue and Gold. It’s been three years, dating back to the 2015 season, since Winnipeg has found itself in such a funk.

At 5-7, the Bombers sit firmly in fourth place in the West Division, and instead of making ground on teams ahead of them — Calgary (9-2), Saskatchewan (7-4) and Edmonton (7-5) are all quickly becoming out of reach — the fifth place B.C. Lions, at 4-6, are right on their heels, with two games in hand.

“This season is still wide open. The West is still wide open, so we’ve just got to look in the mirror and come back with a vengeance” – running back Andrew Harris

“In all our losses, I don’t feel like we got the sh-t beat out of us,” Bombers running back Andrew Harris said after the game. “It’s frustrating, because we are good and I know that. And as much as the media, or the league or whoever wants to say we’re not, we are good. It’s just the details we need to sharpen on and then finish.”

With that, here are five takeaways from Saturday’s game:

BYE, BYE BOMBERS

I can’t think of a worse way for the Bombers to begin a vacation than by losing back-to-back games to their Prairie rivals. Alas, Winnipeg won’t be back on the field for a while, as players head their separate ways for the second of three bye weeks this year.

As bad as it may seem, everyone I spoke to after the game said the timing for a break couldn’t come sooner. The Bombers are banged up on both sides of the ball, with a number of injuries to the offensive line and the secondary. Defensive backs Chandler Fenner, Brandon Alexander and Anthony Gaitor all missed notable time Saturday, with at least Fenner expected to receive further evaluation.

But, as battered and bruised as every player is at this stage of the season, it can be argued no one needs a break from the game more than quarterback Matt Nichols.

Nichols struggled once again, and for the first time in his career with the Bombers was pulled from the game. After five interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns, two that were wiped out on penalties and one that ended in a Roughriders field goal — Nichols was replaced at halftime by rookie pivot Chris Streveler. He finished his night 10-for-20 passing, for 165 yards and no touchdowns.

Though there was certainly nothing stellar about his day, Nichols was successful moving the ball. It was his decisions in the red zone that led to his demise, as he seemed desperate to make something happen. Nichols, who is 3-5 since returning in Week 4 from a knee injury, is known for his smart decision-making, but clearly, he’s feeling the pinch right now.

TIME TO TAKE A BREATH

Streveler didn’t fare much better than Nichols, even if he was able to lead the Bombers to the end zone with a nine-yard toss to rookie Daniel Petermann.

The 23-year-old native of Crystal Lake, Ill., put up almost identical numbers as his counterpart, completing the same amount of passes (10) on the same amount of attempts (20). He also had two interceptions, though one of those came with seconds left on the clock and on third down, as Streveler, desperate not to take a sack, threw up a five-yard prayer.

Streveler’s performance wasn’t enough for Mike O’Shea to declare him the starter when the team returns for a Week 15 matchup at home to the Montreal Alouettes.

“I think our intention right now is to just take a deep breath,” the Bombers head coach said, noting he and his coaching staff weren’t comfortable making a decision so soon after an emotional loss.

Perhaps taking a deep breath would be good advice not just for the Bombers but for their fans as well. It’s clear there is a serious tension brewing between the two right now — how else would you explain booing Nichols when his face appeared on the Jumbotron for a scheduled PSA when he was already pulled from the game? But, the reality is the Bombers are 5-7, and still very much alive when it comes to making the playoffs.

That’s not to suggest things aren’t bad and the losing streak shouldn’t be a concern, but Winnipeg wouldn’t be the first team to bounce back late in a season. In 2011, the B.C. Lions opened the year 1-6 and went on to beat the Bombers in the Grey Cup. The last two Grey Cup winners — Toronto and Ottawa — both had records at or near .500. Also, maybe the Bombers not peaking at this point and going through their injuries early rather than on the cusp of the post-season might actually be the recipe to break the 27-year championship drought?

SUCKER FOR PUNISHMENT

Was it just me, or was anyone else thinking that with two minutes remaining in the game, and with the Bombers down just two points, 29-27, that Winnipeg would have been better off with Nichols under centre than Streveler?

Of course, given how badly Nichols had played and the decision to make a change at halftime, it was seemingly impossible for O’Shea to put Nichols back into the game. Had the plan failed, it would have looked horrible for all involved and likely would have just dented Nichols’ confidence further.

There have been some questionable decisions made by O’Shea during his tenure with the Bombers, but the ways he’s handled Nichols this season is the most mind-boggling.

The Bombers coach was steadfast in his defence not to call on Streveler before halftime, with O’Shea saying after the game that prior to the second pick-6 by Nichols, the offence had played a relatively sound game. But, even though Nichols played mostly mistake-free in the first quarter, the offence accounted for just three points. Midway through the second frame, the turnovers by Nichols made it obvious he was drowning, and instead of throwing him a lifeline by inserting Streveler for a series or two, he watched him sink further.

Had Streveler come in before the half and played well, it would have made sense to continue to roll with him in the third quarter. Had he faltered, one would think Nichols could have used the mental break and prepared himself to start the second half. It made me wonder if Nichols had the mental fortitude to be pulled early, and whether O’Shea believed such a move wouldn’t destroy what’s left of his confidence.

“Matt will be ready to go, absolutely. If that’s the decision,” O’Shea said. “We’re not at that point yet.”

For the record, fans should fully expect Nichols to be the quarterback when the Bombers return from the bye week.

BOMBERS D DOING ITS JOB

Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill said after the game that it takes all 44 men in the game to earn a win. Feeling that the Bombers defence played a solid game, limiting the Roughriders to six field goals and no touchdowns, he still felt they could have done more, and wasn’t about to lay it on the offence for the loss.

I tend to agree with his assessment, but only because far too often in recent years it’s been the defence that has cost Winnipeg games and the offence that has picked up the slack. But the Bombers defensive dozen are playing good football lately and it’s worth recognizing.

Gaitor gave the Bombers an early spark with a 55-yard interception for a touchdown, and the entire unit limited the Saskatchewan offence to just 322 net yards. What made it even more impressive was the defence was able to withstand a number of injuries, including losing both its strong-side linebackers Fenner and Gaitor for part of the game.

With both on the sideline, it was Jeff Hecht who stepped in and forced a fumble with a vicious, yet legal, hit on Zach Collaros that ended an early fourth-quarter drive with the Roughriders in Bombers territory and holding a nine-point lead. If the Bombers can clean up some of the costly penalties that have crept into their game in recent weeks, this could turn out to be a much-improved unit. And judging by the issues on offence, they could use all the help they can get.

GANG GREEN LOOKING GOOD

If the Roughriders can figure out their offensive woes, the rest of the CFL could be in big trouble.

Saskatchewan has one of the best defences in the league, and their special-teams units have also been at or near the top of the CFL. They’ve now won four straight games, and with Calgary falling to Edmonton this weekend are in a fight for first place in the West.

On Saturday, the defence accounted for 20 points on five interceptions, including two pick-6s from defensive end Willie Jefferson and linebacker Sam Eguavoen, who returned their interceptions backs 97 and 103 yards, respectively. Brett Lauther was a perfect six-for-six on field goals, hitting from 32, 36, 38, 23, 15 and 45 yards.

While Collaros hasn’t looked anything like the player he once was early in his career with Hamilton, the Roughriders running game with Tre Mason and Marcus Thigpen has been dangerous and helped drain the clock at key moments.

The Bombers still have one more chance to get revenge against Saskatchewan, and they’ll need to find a way to solve the Roughriders if they plan to make a push into the post-season.

“This season is still wide open,” Harris said. “The West is still wide open, so we’ve just got to look in the mirror and come back with a vengeance.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton