Bombers seek redemption vs. Argos

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This article was published 10/10/2024 (590 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After a rough start to the season, followed by a resurgence over the last two months, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are right where they want to be.

Following eight consecutive wins — after beginning the year 0-4 and then 2-6 — the Bombers are one victory from clinching the West Division for a fourth consecutive year. That can come as early as Friday, when the Blue and Gold welcome the Toronto Argonauts to Princess Auto Stadium.

The Argos arrive in Winnipeg fresh off the bye week and yet to secure a playoff berth, which they can achieve with a victory. Toronto already defeated Winnipeg, 16-14, in overtime in Week 8. The Bombers have been perfect ever since.

“They have a very talented roster… you can see it on both sides of the ball and special teams,” Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros said. “They’re really well coached and we are, too. It’s going to be challenging.”

With plenty more to dig into, let’s get right to it in the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

PROTECT THE FOOTBALL

It’s been a painful process for players having to relive the first meeting with the Argos as they prepare for the rematch.

The Bombers were their own worst enemy in that game, turning the ball over an eye-popping five times in the two-point loss. Three lost fumbles, an interception returned for a touchdown and a gamble gone wrong on third-and-short in the final minute of the fourth quarter were just enough to give Toronto the W.

Since then, however, it’s been a much different story.

The Bombers have not only ripped off eight wins in a row, but no team in the CFL has thrown for fewer interceptions, have lost fewer fumbles or committed fewer turnovers than Winnipeg over that stretch. They’re also a league-best plus-13 during that time, while playing some of their best complimentary football the past month.

There’s been a steady improvement on the other side of the ball as well, with the Bombers defence and special teams generating more takeaways in recent months. In fact, the Bombers went from 11 takeaways in the first eight games to registering 21 in the next eight.

BRADY BALL

A big part of Winnipeg’s success has been establishing the run game. The offensive line has made significant strides from the beginning of the season as guys got healthier and running back Brady Oliveira, who was also banged up earlier in the year, is on pace to earn back-to-back rushing titles.

Speaking of Oliveira, he’s coming off a season-high 147 rushing yards on 24 carries in a win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Winnipeg finished the night with a combined 199 yards on the ground to improve their average per game to 115 rushing yards – third best in the league.

It was a similar story in back-to-back wins over the Edmonton Elks in the weeks before. Oliveira averaged more than 100 rushing yards in those two victories, while the team averaged more than 130.

While the Elks were a greater test than the Ticats, neither club compares to the Argos when it comes to run defence. Toronto leads the CFL in stopping the run, allowing just 75 yards per game.

Oliveira surpassed that mark in the first go-around, racking up 96 yards on the Argos on just 13 carries — an average of 7.4 yards per run. That was without Folarin Orimolade in the mix, as the hulking defensive end was stranded on the six-game injured list with a bum ankle.

The Argos seem to be anticipating a run-heavy game plan, given they’re dressing nine defensive lineman. If Oliveira can have another standout performance, it will go a long way to earning a win and cementing himself as the front-runner for the league’s Most Outstanding Player award.

STAYING GROUNDED

If it wasn’t already clear this game would be decided in the trenches, here’s another one for the road (team).

As good as the Bombers have been this year running the ball, the Argos have been even better. By no small margin, either, averaging a league-best 126 rushing yards a game — a full 10 yards more than Winnipeg.

Toronto has been particularly dangerous in recent weeks, rushing for a combined 165 yards against B.C., 139 yards against Hamilton and, most recently, a whopping 234 yards in a win over the CFL-leading Montreal Alouettes. Only five times this year have the Argos not eclipsed 100 rushing yards in a game, including against the Bombers, who surrendered 96 back in July.

There’s no doubting Ka’Deem Carey is the shiny toy in a three-man committee that also includes Deonta McMahon and Daniel Adeboboye. Different situation, of course, but the Bombers struggled to contain another multi-player run scheme when facing the Elks, which resulted in Justin Rankin gashing Winnipeg for 157 and 109 rushing yards, respectively, even if both games resulted in Bombers wins.

“Both of their fronts are pretty darn good,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said. “We’ve got a contest here where both O-lines and both D-lines will play a very large role in the outcome of the game. It’s going to be physical.”

KELLY RETURNS

Call it a gut feeling or a sneaky suspicion, but something is telling me the Argos are going to try to beat the Bombers through the air.

I understand the ink just spilled talking about Toronto’s stellar run game, but it’s for that very reason I’m feeling this way. The Argos have punished their last three opponents running the ball, it should do wonders in opening up play-action, which could lead to some deep throws down field.

It’s also the first time the Bombers will see QB Chad Kelly this season, as the reigning MOP was still serving a nine-game suspension for harassment of a former strength and conditioning coach. In fact, it’s Kelly’s first start against Winnipeg in his career, after being sidelined for the lone regular season game between the two sides last year, which came after the Argos clinched the East well ahead of the playoffs starting.

Kelly loves to chuck the ball and is surrounded by several talented receivers. The Argos will also want to get up early and prevent the Bombers from playing with the lead, which has been a hallmark of their success over this current streak.

It should also be noted the Bombers will be without veteran safety Brandon Alexander, with second-year DB Jake Kelly taking over his spot.

Alexander is the main vein of communication between the secondary, so that’s a significant loss. With a fourth consecutive sellout, the defence will have to contend with raucous crowd, making communicating with one another an even tougher challenge and the risk of making a mistake even greater.

A FAMILIAR FACE

I’m sure it hasn’t been fun for Bomber fans to watch Janarion Grant tear up the CFL again this year. Until now, it’s been from a distance.

Those taking-in the game will see Grant up-close as the dynamic returner plays his first game in Winnipeg since signing with the Argos over the winter. Grant played four seasons with the Bombers, where he set several franchise marks for yardage and touchdowns.

Grant hasn’t missed a beat with the Argos. He has the most punt return yards, with 908, is third in kickoff return yards and his four return TDs are three more than any other player.

Meanwhile, the Bombers have struggled all season to find consistency in the return game, even if Lucky Whitehead has made some key plays at key moments in a couple of games. Winnipeg is eighth in punt return yards and eighth in kickoff return yards.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton