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This article was published 20/09/2024 (413 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The CFL’s two hottest teams will collide in a Week 16 matchup that could drastically alter the West Division standings.

The Edmonton Elks, who have won five of their last six games, welcome the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who have victories in five straight, to Commonwealth Stadium Saturday night. It’s the first game this season between the divisional foes and the first of a home-and-home series that will conclude in Winnipeg next week.

The Elks have become quite the story this season, clawing back from an 0-7 start to put themselves back into the playoff picture, at 5-8. Meanwhile, the 7-6 Bombers also struggled out of the gate, losing their first four games, but are back atop the West following their resurgence over the past month.

Both teams come in feeling rested, each side having 12 days since their last game played after heading out on the bye last week. The Bombers are on a 9-0 run when playing following a bye week, while the Elks haven’t won after a break in the last seven tries.

There’s no shortage of juicy storylines, in what should be considered the game of the weekend. To get you ready for kickoff, let’s dig a bit deeper into this one in the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

With just four points separating the two sides, the Elks have the chance to do what few, if any, imagined even just weeks ago, and that’s find a way into first place by beating Winnipeg in back-to-back weeks. Even making the playoffs would be an enormous feat, as no other club in league history has made it to the postseason after starting a year with seven losses.

The Bombers can keep it that way by earning a sweep of the next two games, which would all but end what’s been a magical run for Edmonton. Not to mention the Bombers are also in a fight for playoff positioning, with just five points separating them from the Calgary Stampeders in fifth.

A quick start will be important for the Bombers, who have opened the scoring in each of their last seven games. The Elks haven’t been kind to their opponents of late, either, taking a lead of at least 11 points in six straight games.

This one feels like a nail-biter. And it wouldn’t be surprising if it went right now to the wire.

BRYANT BACK AT IT

Left tackle Stanley Bryant returns following a scary incident just moments into a home game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back on Aug. 23. Bryant required medical attention on the field for several minutes before being stretchered to the hospital, forcing him to miss the next two games with an undisclosed illness.

To say Bryant is a massive boost to Winnipeg’s offensive line is just as massive an understatement. Considered to be among, if not the best O-linemen in CFL history, quarterback Zach Collaros will be very pleased to have Bryant back protecting his blind side, while also boosting the Brady Oliveira-led run attack.

Bryant replaces Kendall Randolph, who joins Tui Eli as the two depth O-linemen on the roster. As a result, Micah Vanterpool was re-assigned to the practice roster.

The timing is perfect for Bryant to return, as the Elks, while middle of the pack when it comes to total sacks, have been QB hungry the last couple of weeks, with a combined six sacks in their last two games. The Elks are pretty stingy in defending the run, allowing 92.5 rushing yards per game, so Bryant covering off the edge should only benefit Winnipeg’s weekly commitment to running the rock.

FORD VS. FORD

There have been several brothers that have played against each other in the CFL, even twins. But never before have twin brothers started against one another at quarterback and defensive back.

That is, until now, with Tre Ford getting the start at QB for the Elks and Tyrell Ford starting at field corner for the Blue and Gold. Only adding to the excitement of one of the cooler stories in some time is the fact both are playing at a high level.

After missing the last two games with a rib injury, Tre Ford takes over an Elks offence that is leading the league in points and touchdowns. Tyrell Ford is among the best players on a Bombers defence that allows the second-fewest points per game and is currently tied for the league lead in interceptions with six.

Both have acknowledged the significance of the moment but predictably downplayed it by trying to direct the focus towards the game and away from any individual performances. Tyrell did provide a small nugget of trash talk, after being told his brother plans on executing the play that’s called, regardless which defender it’s against.

“He’s got to play football at that point or else it’s going to hinder him,” Tyrell said. “But hopefully he’ll realize I’m out there when I pick him off.”

A BIG(HILL) HOLE TO FILL

They often say in professional football that you can’t make the club from the tub. The phrase refers to the challenges that come with routinely getting injured and how coaches will eventually cut bait on a player if they’re constantly pulling up lame.

All that considered, it’s an impressive feat by Bombers linebacker Kyrie Wilson, who has been able to find his way back on the roster following another serious injury. This time it was to his shoulder, sidelining him the last six games.

Wilson hasn’t had much luck the last few seasons when it comes to injuries, including a torn Achilles that wiped out a majority of his 2022 season. Dating back to the 2021 campaign, Wilson has played 28 of a possible 63 regular-season games.

Clearly, head coach Mike O’Shea has a lot of time and patience for the 31-year-old. It helps that when Wilson is playing, he’s one of the best tacklers and defenders on the team.

“It’s his personality that allows him to keep doing it,” O’Shea said. “Why would we want him to keep doing, it is because he’s just so damn good.”

The timing of Wilson’s return is also good, as he will help a linebackers group that will be without Adam Bighill for the remainder of the season. Bighill underwent knee surgery a couple days ago for an injury he suffered in the Labour Day Classic.

Wilson will be in his usual spot at weakside linebacker, while Shayne Gauthier will once again cover for Bighill up the middle. Tony Jones also figures to get notable playing time, although O’Shea insisted that Wilson wouldn’t need to be eased in.

QB SHUFFLE

With the news last week that QB Chris Streveler is requiring surgery to repair his injured left knee, effectively ending his season, the Bombers went out and signed a trio of quarterbacks to take his place.

Collaros is still the star of the show, but he now shares a QB room with newcomers Jake Dolegala, Bryan Scott and Darren Grainger, as well as Terry Wilson, who has been in Winnipeg since the spring.

“It feels like training camp, honestly,” Collaros said.

After what could be described as a brief tryout the past week, it’s Dolegala who will be joining Collaros and Wilson on the active roster, with the other two assigned to the practice squad for now.

O’Shea said this week that Wilson would be next in line in the event Collaros suffered an injury, which makes sense given his experience within the offensive system. Wilson will also be covering short-yardage plays, which is really the area that Streveler will be missed the most.

The Bombers coach pointed to Dolegala’s experience, particularly the 10 starts he’s had the past two seasons playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions, for why he got the roster nod over the others. The reality is if all goes well with Collaros’ health, the plan is to see very little of anybody else

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton