Things don’t get easier for Bombers

HAMILTON — After back-to-back losses against their arch nemesis, things don’t get any easier for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The 6-6 Bombers are in Hamilton to take on the best the East Division has to offer in a date with the 7-5 Tiger-Cats in what will be the first meeting between the two sides this season.

The Ticats have lost three of their last four but righted the ship last week by dismantling the Montreal Alouettes 26-9 on the road.

After beginning the year 3-0, the Blue and Gold have gone 3-6 which is tied with last year’s start as the worst nine-game stretch the club has had since 2015-16. Never mind hosting a playoff game, the back half of their campaign will be about fending off the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Elks (both 5-7) for the final playoff spot out of the West.

“It’s been a roller-coaster, but it’s gonna be one hell of a story once we get this thing figured out,” said receiver Nic Demski.

To get you ready for kickoff (6 p.m. CT), here’s this week’s edition of 5 Storylines.

STREVELER STARTING AT QB

With Zach Collaros out with a head injury, Chris Streveler will be the man under centre for Winnipeg.

That sound you just heard is a collective gulp from everyone in Bomberland.

The never-ending questions surrounding Streveler’s arm talent, or lack thereof, are once again happening at a water cooler near you. He silenced his doubters in Week 2 by tossing three touchdowns to lead the Bombers over B.C., but it’s been all downhill since with just two touchdowns and seven interceptions over his last 81 passing attempts.

He closed out the Banjo Bowl after Collaros left in the third and didn’t do anything to instill confidence as the offence quickly fell flat. It remains to be seen how long Collaros will be on the shelf for, but if Streveler — who is 0-2 in his career against Hamilton — doesn’t bounce back in a big way, the Terry Wilson Fan Club will double in size and be out in full force.

HELLO HOUSTON

Demerio Houston is ready for takeoff.

The Bombers have promoted the veteran defender from the practice roster to take over for rookie corner Trey Vaval.

Houston has 12 interceptions in the previous two seasons — seven with the Bombers in 2023 and five as a member of the Calgary Stampeders in 2024 — but hasn’t played a game since last October.

He was charged with domestic violence in November, and the charges were dropped in March following a review of the evidence. He remained a free agent until the Bombers picked him up last month to reinforce the secondary.

Head coach Mike O’Shea admitted Houston needed a few weeks to get in shape but now feels comfortable inserting him into the lineup.

The Blue and Gold are sixth in the league in turnovers forced and if the layoff hasn’t slowed Houston down, he could be a major boost.

FAMILIAR FACES

It’s going to look like an intrasquad game Friday with the Ticats dressing 11 former Bombers.

“I guess based on our track record the last bunch of years it would make sense that people would sign our free agents,” said O’Shea shortly after landing in Hamilton.

It’s no coincidence as the man who put the Tabbies together is former Bombers assistant general manager Ted Goveia. He’s done a helluva job in his first year on the job as he’s made the Ticats a legitimate Grey Cup contender one year after they missed the playoffs at 7-11. The biggest splash he made was undoubtedly signing star receiver Kenny Lawler — who has put himself in the conversation for the Most Outstanding Player award — away from Winnipeg.

This will be Lawler’s first time suiting up against the Bombers since July 23, 2022, when he had seven catches for 98 yards as a member of the Elks. It’ll take a strong showing by the Bombers to prevent him from having a similar outing.

TURNING IT OVER

Everyone knows winning the turnover battle is important.

This week’s matchup, though, is a perfect example of just how important it is. Hamilton is a perfect 6-0 when they commit fewer turnovers and are 0-3 when they make more. It’s the same story in Winnipeg with the Bombers 3-0 when they protect the ball and 0-5 when they don’t.

Giveaways has haunted the Bombers all year and it won’t be easy to break the habit against the Ticats who lead the nine-team league in both takeaways (30) and points off turnovers (84). The Bombers are on the other side of the stat with a league-leading 34 errors.

“I’d imagine you can look at each one and find a bunch of different reasons. You’ll probably get to 10 different reasons if you look at all our giveaways before you start recycling reasons,” said O’Shea.

“But the bottom line is we just have to be better with it and be more conscious of the football.”

BO IS COOKIN’

It wasn’t that long ago when people were suggesting Bo Levi Mitchell should hang up the pads and get a broadcasting gig at TSN because the quarterback’s best days were behind him.

Yeah, so much for that.

Hamilton’s pivot was a finalist for MOP last year and the 35-year-old is still producing at a high level as he ranks first in passing touchdowns (24) and is second in passing yards (3,653 passing yards).

The Ticats are second in scoring (29.9) and net offence (380.3 yards) but it’s not just because of Mitchell and Lawler. It’s a well-rounded attack with Kiondre Smith and Tim White in the top 12 in receiving and running back Greg Bell finding his stride after having 20 carries for 156 yards and a touchdown last week.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca