Bombers have plenty to prove in clash with Alouettes

MONTREAL — At the midway mark of the CFL season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers find themselves in the thick of a West Division playoff race, though nowhere near leading the pack.

The Bombers are on the right side of .500, but they have been flirting with mediocrity all season. At 5-4, Winnipeg has a slight edge over the B.C. Lions (5-5); however, the Blue and Gold trail the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-1) and Calgary Stampeders (6-3) by six and two points, respectively.

Perhaps a matchup against the Montreal Alouettes is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Like the Bombers, the Alouettes, at 5-5, are vastly underperforming. Montreal has lost their last three games, outscored 93-46 over that stretch.

While the Bombers have future Hall of Famer Zach Collaros leading their offence, the Alouettes are on their fourth-string quarterback as James Morgan is set to make his first CFL start. It’s the first of two games between these clubs in 2025, with the rematch scheduled for the final week of the regular season.

There’s significant intrigue heading into this one, with both clubs having plenty to prove after falling short of heady expectations at the halfway mark. To get you ready for kickoff, let’s dive deeper into the drama in the latest editions of 5 Storylines.

BUILDING MOMENTUM

After a 3-0 start to the season, the Bombers have found themselves chasing consistency. The team has traded wins and losses since their opening run, unable to string together back-to-back victories and establish the kind of rhythm that has defined their success in recent years.

Last week’s narrow 30-27 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks, sealed by a last-second Sergio Castillo field goal, showed a team that could grind out a win when it mattered most. While it wasn’t the dominant performance fans have become accustomed to, it was a crucial step in trying to right the ship.

A win in Montreal would be the first time since June that the Bombers have won consecutive games, and it would give them a much-needed confidence boost heading into the second half of the season. The key for Winnipeg will be to play complimentary football, with all three phases chipping in.

The Bombers have shown flashes on both sides of the ball, but sustained excellence over four quarters has been the exception and not the rule. If they can put together a complete game, they could finally get on track and start building the momentum needed for a deep playoff push.

CLOSING OUT GAMES

The Bombers have developed a concerning habit of building halftime leads and then watching them evaporate. Over their last two games, they’ve struggled to close out opponents, putting themselves in vulnerable positions late in the fourth quarter.

It’s a pattern that needs to end, and the solution may lie in re-establishing their identity as a punishing, run-heavy offence. When the Bombers are at their best, they use their ground attack to ice away games.

Of course, the key to this is reigning Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira and backed by improved play from the offensive line. Oliveira has struggled to regain the same rhythm as last season, with only one game so far eclipsing the 80-yard mark, and the O-line has equally had trouble opening lanes.

Last week’s game against the Redblacks offered a glimmer of hope, as Oliveira finally found the end zone for his first touchdown of the year. As for an encore, Montreal will be a true test.

The Alouettes boast one of the stingiest run defences in the league, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game. But if the Bombers can get Oliveira going against a formidable front, it would not only help them secure a much-needed victory but also re-establish the blueprint for their second-half success.

CAPTAIN MORGAN

A rash of injuries has decimated Montreal’s quarterback depth chart, forcing them to turn to James Morgan for his first career CFL start.

While other teams in the league have had to deal with injuries to the most important position, the Alouettes have been in a state of flux since the start of the season. Starter Davis Alexander, veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson and third-stringer Caleb Evans have all been sidelined, leaving the team with no choice but to rely on their fourth-string QB.

Morgan showed promise in his relief appearance last week, completing 20-of-33 passes for 211 yards, a touchdown and no turnovers. His performance was impressive given the circumstances, but he now faces a Bombers defence eager to put pressure on him.

If Winnipeg can get pressure on Morgan and force him into making mistakes, it could be a long night for the Alouettes. If they fail to capitalize, it will raise more doubts about the Bombers ability to push for a sixth straight Grey Cup appearance.

LOGAN MAKES BLUE DEBUT

After a lengthy absence due to a thigh injury suffered in training camp, the highly anticipated debut of Peyton Logan has finally arrived.

The running back and return specialist was a key off-season acquisition for the Bombers, brought in to address their struggles in the return game from the 2024 season. His injury, sustained in the early days of camp, kept him sidelined for the entire pre-season and the first nine games of the regular season.

Now, the Bombers will get their first look at the dynamic player who proved to be a major threat during his time in Calgary. Logan is listed on the depth chart alongside Trey Vaval, who has been an excellent replacement.

But with Vaval now also taking on starting duties at boundary corner due to injuries in the secondary, Logan’s role becomes even more critical. He was signed to be the answer in the return game, and Thursday’s matchup against the Alouettes provides the perfect opportunity to prove his worth.

While head coach Mike O’Shea has been tight-lipped about his plans, you have to assume Logan will get his chance. If he doesn’t, it will only raise questions about his place on the roster.

DEMSKI DELIVERING

In a season that’s so far been defined by inconsistency, receiver Nic Demski had been a model of reliability.

Demski, who has 41 receptions for 640 yards and five touchdowns, is on pace to set career-highs in all three categories. With a strong start to the year, Demski has seamlessly stepped into the role of the team’s No. 1 receiver.

His ability to consistently move the chains and find the end zone has been instrumental in keeping the offence above water. He’ll need to be just as productive against the Alouettes, who rank middle of the pack when it comes to surrendering passing yards, averaging 281 against per game.

The Alouettes are also dealing with significant injuries to their receiving core, with top targets Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot still out of the lineup. If Demski continues his stellar play, he could be the difference-maker in a game where both teams are looking for a spark.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca