Expect Zach to bounce back

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This article was published 29/06/2023 (815 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will look to flip the script following a disappointing loss when they head to Montreal for a Week 4 matchup against the Alouettes at Molson Stadium on Saturday.

The Bombers (2-1) insist they have moved on from an embarrassing 30-6 defeat at home to the B.C. Lions, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t in search of redemption. The Bombers have lost in back-to-back games just once since late into the 2019 season, with those consecutive losses coming in the final two games of the ‘21 campaign, when the Bombers had already locked up first place in the West Division and were resting several of their starters.

The Alouettes have surprised many with their 2-0 start the year, following wins over the Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. But there’s still some that feel their perfect record is misleading, as both of their opponents have been led by backup quarterbacks.

There’s no doubt the Bombers will be the Alouettes’ stiffest test yet, and Winnipeg certainly isn’t about to take its opponent lightly. That sets up what should be an entertaining and physical game, and to get you ready for kickoff, let’s dig further into the matchup with the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

A HORROR SHOW

The entire Bombers offence turned in a poor performance against the Lions, but a lot of the criticism fell on the men up front.

Winnipeg’s offensive line looked nothing like its usual sturdy self, surrendering seven sacks against QB Zach Collaros. Right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick said the game “felt like a horror movie.”

The O-line is a proud group and have been the team’s identity for some time. They didn’t simply forget last week’s performance, they’re acutely aware of the added attention that will be placed on them this week.

The Alouettes have just three sacks in two games, but don’t let that number fool you. Their defensive line is among their greatest strengths, allowing opponents an average of just 46 rushing yards per game — a CFL best.

 

BET ON COLLAROS

Perhaps we’re just used to watching Collaros carve up offences and so when he doesn’t, it’s easy to wonder if something might be wrong.

It’s all nonsense, of course, and only a fool would bet against the Bombers star pivot. Collaros is 35-6 as a starter since joining Winnipeg at the 2019 trade deadline. While he doesn’t often show it, Collaros is clearly unhappy with his performance, and any added motivation to an already razor-focused player is a dangerous mix.

Montreal won’t be a free pass. The Alouettes have yet to allow a touchdown this season; instead, they’ve given up four field goals in each game, for an average of just 12 points. The Bombers were left out of the end zone against B.C. but registered 10 touchdowns through their first two games.

Clearly, something needs to give. The Bombers have had some injury issues in recent weeks, but it appears running back Brady Oliveira, despite being limited this week, will play. There might be another running threat as well, as Greg McCrae looks ready to draw into the lineup, meaning receiver Carlton Agudosi would be the odd man out.

Kenny Lawler still isn’t available as he waits to get a working permit following a guilty plea for impaired driving back in April. A return next week is possible, but not a guarantee.

 

JEFFCOAT BOOSTS D-LINE

It was somewhat surprising to see Jackson Jeffcoat take the field for Day 1 of practice Tuesday. The all-star defensive end hurt his calf in Week 1 and was placed on the six-game injured list, suggesting he’d be out long-term.

That’s no longer the case, with the Texas native cleared to play and ready to go. Jeffcoat’s return is a significant boost to a D-line that has put up the second-most sacks, with nine, but hasn’t exactly had the opposing quarterback running for his life, especially last week against the Lions.

With Jeffcoat back in the mix, that should help ease some of the extra attention being placed on fellow defensive end Willie Jefferson. Jefferson had two sacks, three tackles, two pass knockdowns and a forced fumble in Week 1; since then, he’s recorded just two tackles and one knockdown.

This might turn out to be an ideal matchup for a bounce-back game. The Alouettes, despite playing just two games, have given up a combined 10 sacks, with only Edmonton, at 12, having more.

 

FAJARDO GOING DEEP

Among the criticisms against QB Cody Fajardo last season in Saskatchewan was his inability to connect on the deep ball. That doesn’t appear to be much of a problem so far this season, with Fajardo, who currently leads all CFL QBs with a passer rating of 129.2, connecting on a lot of long balls through two games.

Fajardo, who signed with the Alouettes over the winter, has six passes that have exceeded 30-plus yards, which is just one fewer than Collaros’ league-leading seven. His average yards per pass, at 12.3, and his 73.3 completion percentage is tops in the CFL.

The 31-year-old Fajardo has a strong chemistry with former NFL receiver Austin Mack, a player the Alouettes had been courting for months before finally signing in April. Mack has accounted for half of Fajardo’s lengthy completions and both of his TD passes (Fajardo also has two rushing scores). Simply put, Mack is proving to be a star in the making, while also helping ease the loss of Eugene Lewis, who signed in Edmonton.

Montreal’s offence hasn’t been forced to win it games, as they’ve gotten scoring contributions from the defence and special teams. But there’s no doubt that Fajardo is playing with confidence, so getting to him and making him feel uncomfortable will be vital to shutting down Montreal’s attack.

 

MOVING PARTS

The Bombers secondary has been susceptible to big plays downfield this season. They’ve allowed five completed passes of 30 or more yards five times, ranking them in the bottom-half of the league.

It’s more than just the stats that are concerning. Hamilton QB Bo Levi Mitchell missed several open receivers in Week 1, with at least three of those chances looking like sure TDs if on target. It was the same story in Week 2 against the Roughriders, only Trevor Harris was able to connect on passes for 38, 45 and 49 yards, with two of those throws being significant factors in TD drives.

The Bombers will be without field-side corner Desmond Lawrence but back in the mix is boundary corner Demerio Houston, who returned home to North Carolina for the birth of his twins. Abu Daramy-Swaray made his first CFL start last week in relief of Houston and will play this week for Lawrence.

There was some concern that middle linebacker Adam Bighill might miss the game after being absent all week for non-football related reasons. But head coach Mike O’Shea confirmed that Bighill will play, which should only help create pressure at the line of scrimmage, as well as support for the secondary.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @jeffkhamilton