Bombers’ post-season push starts with rumble against Riders

The opportunity is there for the seizing, and there is no better time for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to make their biggest push for a spot in the CFL playoffs.

Having already secured the No. 1 seed in the West Division, the Roughriders (12-4) will sit several of their key players when they travel to Winnipeg to face the Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday (7 p.m.). It’s as great a gift as the Riders could give their prairie rivals, who will be fighting to maintain control of their destiny.

The time needs to be now for the Bombers. Failing to take advantage on Friday could set them up for a must-win date in Week 21 against the Montreal Alouettes, who could have plenty left to play for and would give Winnipeg their best shot.

“Both teams are going out, trying to win every game. That’s nothing new,” said head coach Mike O’Shea.

“Obviously, whatever happens in this game, you still want to win the next one, too. So I think there’s the understanding that just getting in (the playoffs) isn’t going to be good enough. Getting in and rolling is what you really want to be doing.”

Let’s get set for kickoff with the Week 20 edition of Five Storylines.

Resting Riders

The Riders’ inactives begin with starting quarterback Trevor Harris, who is the key to their Grey Cup aspirations.

Also bubble wrapped is running back AJ Ouellette, defensive lineman Micah Johnson, offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick and receivers KeeSean Johnson and Sam Emilus, while other regular starters like receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker and offensive lineman Logan Ferland are listed as backups.

The Riders will also be without defensive back Rolan Milligan and defensive lineman Shane Ray, both of whom continue to nurse injuries.

Backup quarterback Jake Maier will start for the first time since Week 4. He owns a career record of 19-26-1 when starting.

Simply put, the Riders won’t be delivering their best punch in this one.

No Demski

On Wednesday, the Bombers confirmed what many had already expected: Nic Demski will miss this contest due to the hamstring injury he suffered last week.

Demski’s impact on the offence cannot be understated.

O’Shea has called him the best athlete on any field he steps on, while Collaros has coined him a “problem solver” when things get hairy on offence. The homegrown talent is the most experienced and most trusted player in the receiving corps, and is having one of the best seasons of his 10-year career.

Without Demski in the lineup, third-year pass-catcher Jerreth Sterns becomes the most experienced player in Collaros’s arsenal.

“I’d be lying to you if I said it wouldn’t be weird or different or whatever word you want to describe it,” said Collaros.

“His durability, I think, is just a credit to Nic. Obviously, there’s some luck involved along the way, but I think it speaks to his professionalism and getting ready, not just during the season but the off-season — being in great shape and taking care of his body to play a long season. It’s a testament to him.”

Cobb’s first start

With Demski sidelined, fellow University of Manitoba product Gavin Cobb will make his first start of the campaign.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Bombers this year after two seasons with the Edmonton Elks, last suited up for a game against the Riders in the Labour Day Classic, and also dressed for Winnipeg’s Week 9 contest, but did not record a stat in either outing.

“It’s a feeling that I’ve been waiting on. It’s exciting. It’s been a long time coming,” said Cobb.

Cobb has 18 career receptions for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

“I think I’ve been patiently preparing and grinding away and just waiting for this opportunity, man,” he added. “Words can’t really express the excitement that’s going through me right now, and I’m just excited to hit the ground running and make some big plays for this offence.”

The receiving corps will also include Sterns, Ontaria Wilson, Kevens Clercius and Keric Wheatfall — who jumps back into the lineup at slotback in place of Dillon Mitchell.

Scenarios aplenty

Unlike last week, the Bombers’ playoff scenario is not as simple as win-and-in, but it would take an exceptional stroke of misfortune for them to miss the playoffs if they handle business on Friday.

This week, the Bombers will need a win and an Edmonton Elks loss/tie or Calgary Stampeders win/tie to clinch a playoff berth.

Should the Bombers and Elks (playing the B.C. Lions) win and the Stamps (playing the Toronto Argonauts) lose, that opens the door for the regular season to end in a four-way tie between B.C., Calgary, Winnipeg and Edmonton, which would see the Bombers on the outside looking in due to them having the worst win percentage among all the tied teams.

Crazier things have happened, so Winnipeg fans will certainly be scoreboard watching the Elks-Lions game, which is the second game in Friday night’s doubleheader (9:30 p.m. CT).

“We don’t talk about it. We don’t think about it,” said defensive back Demerio Houston, who will re-assume his spot at the weak-side corner after sitting out last week.

“Like Coach Osh says, it’s the next game and whoever our opponent is, we need to go out and do our job and win the game.”

Ball protection

Protecting the ball has been a clear issue for Collaros, who is currently tied for most interceptions in the league (15) this season. He’s thrown an interception in eight of his 12 starts and multiple interceptions in seven games.

If the Bombers are going to take advantage of this opportunity, it needs to start with QB1, and that means taking care of the pill.

“I think it just goes with preparation, when I’m walking through something, visualizing something — when you read the play off and try to visualize what you’re about to do… I don’t think it needs to be said. Just don’t turn the ball over,” Collaros said. “I think at times, you try to win the whole game in one throw, and those are things that as you grow and gain more wisdom or maturity… you can echo to yourself.

“As we always say, the ball is very important. I’m the guy with football making decisions, so I got to do a better job out there.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jfreysam