Bombers get back to run game, and it works

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This article was published 14/10/2019 (2187 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers couldn’t afford another loss, not if they wanted to keep their chances alive for top spot in the West Division.

And while it took them a while to find their footing, the Bombers were the last ones standing in Saturday’s 35-24 win over the Montreal Alouettes at IG Field.

The victory improved Winnipeg’s record to 10-6, and ensured them no worse than third place in the West. They’ll need to win both of their remaining games on the regular-season schedule — a home-and-home series with the Calgary Stampeders (10-5) — and will need the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-5) to lose as well, but there’s still a way.  

But before we look too far ahead, here are five takeaways from Saturday’s win.

1) Many were left scratching their heads a week ago when the Bombers looked to the pass game to try and beat the Roughriders.

On Saturday, Winnipeg did what it does best: running the ball. It’s no secret offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice puts a heavy emphasis on the run game, but he often needs to see the results early to continue to pound the rock.

He would get what he was looking for, including a game-opening six-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that had five runs, including a 16-yard dash by running back Andrew Harris for the score. In fact, it was the first time since Chris Streveler took over for Matt Nichols in Week 11 — a stretch of seven games — that Harris received more than 13 carries. Harris ended the night with 24 runs for 166 yards, while Streveler had nine runs for 64 yards and Mike Miller had 10 yards on one carry.

Andrew Harris having some fun in the snow! ❄️��#CFLGameDay @Wpg_BlueBombers pic.twitter.com/MCOLM7A287

— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 12, 2019

While Harris and Streveler will earn much of the praise, the run game wouldn’t have been nearly as effective had it not been for the stellar play of the offensive line. The Bombers controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the night — a promising sign as the temperature continues to dip and teams need to rely more on running than throwing the ball.

2) There were both promising and troubling signs from Streveler’s play behind centre.

The Bombers quarterback was effective in the run game, with five of his nine carries resulting in first downs and two others travelling nine yards to set up an easy first-down conversion on the next play. LaPolice put together a creative game plan that worked to Streveler’s strengths, even having one play where the 24-year-old took a handoff from Harris.

Still, there were moments in the pass game that seemed all too familiar. Streveler recorded one touchdown — a 15-yard strike to Drew Wolitarsky on second-and-long — but it was a pair of interceptions that overshadowed whatever poise he showed in the pocket.

Drew Wolitarsky secures the catch and puts 6 on the board for @Wpg_BlueBombers!#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/x8Z3sIBaaK

— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 12, 2019

For a second straight week, Streveler was picked off in the end zone, stalling a promising drive and taking valuable points off the board. The second interception came early in the fourth quarter, giving the ball back to the Alouettes on the Bombers’ 25, with 10:33 remaining and down just two touchdowns. Streveler was eventually bailed out when, three plays later, Chandler Fenner intercepted a Vernon Adams Jr. pass in the end zone.

The Bombers are at their most successful when their defence is taking the ball away and the offence is limiting mistakes with smart decision-making from their quarterback. Streveler needed a big game from the defence to make up for his mistakes, something he won’t always be able to rely on every week.

3) If there was any group seeking redemption against the Alouettes it was the Bombers defence.

After all, it was this group that had been embarrassed by Adams and Co. just weeks before in a 38-37 loss to the Alouettes at Molson Stadium. In that game, Montreal trailed by 20 points going into the fourth quarter before mounting an improbable comeback that required a last-minute touchdown drive to complete. Adams finished with a career-high 488 passing yards in the win.

It was a much different story this time around. Adams was sacked only twice but was under siege for much of the game, including being contained whenever he escaped the pocket (he had two carries for six yards). The Alouettes pivot went 19-for-32 passing (59 per cent) for 266 yards and two touchdowns, though one score came with 47 seconds remaining and the game far from reach.

Most impressive by the defence, however, were the four interceptions against Adams. Many on the defence had lamented its performance against the Roughriders on Oct. 5 despite a strong effort in the loss because they were unable to register a single takeaway.

"Last week, if we have four takeaways like we did today we give ourselves a big chance to win, no matter how our offence has done we’re going to give them more opportunities and better field position," Bombers middle linebacker Adam Bighill said. "Anytime we’re winning that takeaway battle we give ourselves a massive chance to win."

It was vintage Blue and Gold defence, which was a positive sign with just two games before playoffs. It was also the second game without defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall, who was absent for a second straight week following the death of his brother.

4) There was plenty to like from the defence. All in all, it was a complete effort from the group and the prime reason the Bombers tasted victory, but there were a few individual performances that stood out and are worthy of extra acclaim.

Marcus Sayles had arguably his best game as a Bomber after being relatively quiet in recent weeks. Sayles was responsible for three takeaways in the second half, including two interceptions and one tackle on punter Boris Bede that resulted in a turnover on downs.

Willie Jefferson also impressed, rebounding from the previous week where he didn’t register a single defensive statistic against Saskatchewan. Jefferson had two defensive tackles: a quarterback sack and three pass knockdowns, bringing his league-best total to 15 knockdowns.

The best play on defence came early in the fourth quarter and ultimately iced the game for the Bombers. With Montreal pinned deep in it’s own end, Nick Taylor stepped in front of an Adams pass and returned the interception 37 yards for the touchdown.

NICK TAYLOR��

Picked it and ran it for the @Wpg_BlueBombers to extend their lead! #CFLGameday

MTL 17 – WPG 31 pic.twitter.com/USBQRXp1gb

— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 12, 2019

It was just the second game for Taylor since the Bombers added the 31-year-old to the practice roster in mid-August. New guys need to make big plays to stay in the lineup and Taylor certainly answered the call with his pick-six.

5) There was a lot of confusion following the Alouettes touchdown to open the second half. Adams didn’t have a receiver open and was forced from the pocket, eventually rolling out to the left before delivering a 30-yard pass to Jake Wieneke for the score.

Immediately after the pass, Bombers defensive tackles Steven Richardson and Jake Thomas could be seen motioning their hands to the refs. On replay, Adams could be seen crossing the line of scrimmage before making the pass, a clear violation of the rules, or so many thought.

.@bigplay_va finds @jake_wieneke, and the @MTLAlouettes are back in front!#CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/s7ojBM5DEt

— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 12, 2019

Many people, including myself, thought the play shouldn’t have counted and it wasn’t until the CFL football operations Twitter account sent out an explanation that showed we were all in the wrong. The play was perfectly legal, according to the league’s rulebook.

That’s because two years ago the CFL changed the rule to allow one foot to be over the line of scrimmage when delivering a pass. When the ball left his hand, Adams had one foot behind the line, meaning the pass and touchdown were good.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca twitter: @jeffkhamilton