Shutdown defence key for the W

Death, taxes and Mike O’Shea having the Blue Bombers ready to rock after a bye week.

Last season — which was a down year across the board for the club — his troops went 1-2 after breaks, but dating back to 2018, they own an impressive 16-3 record coming off byes.

They’ll look to return to their usual form Thursday night when they host the 2-0 Edmonton Elks (7:30 p.m. CT).

The Bombers (1-1) headed into their bye with a harsh reminder that they still have plenty to clean up. In Week 2, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats came to town and spoiled Winnipeg’s home opener with a convincing 37-27 victory.

“This week, I’m seeing guys putting a little more extra time in… and just hungry and excited to get to the game,” said running back Brad Oliveira.

“I think you’ll see a lot of eager guys out there on Thursday flying around and ready to hit someone.”

The Bombers will need a much-improved showing to get past Edmonton. The visitors are flying high after outlasting arguably the CFL’s most talented team, the Montreal Alouettes, in a 32-29 overtime thriller last Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium.

To get you ready for kickoff, here’s the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

Down on defence

Bombers safety Redha Kramdi isn’t afraid to call it like it is. Earlier this week, he referred to the defence’s performance against Hamilton as “bullshit.”

It’s hard to argue with that assessment.

The club couldn’t stop the pass, couldn’t stop the run, and failed to get off the field on Hamilton’s final drive, preventing Zach Collaros and the Bombers offence from getting one last chance to tie the game.

In Week 1 in Calgary, it was a similar story — although the unit’s struggles were overshadowed by Jake Ceresna’s career night, which featured three sacks in his Bombers debut. The only difference was that Calgary scored too early, giving Collaros and company just over a minute to march down the field for a Sergio Castillo game-winning field goal.

“We know as a whole we didn’t play our best game. We were taking turns messing up,” said linebacker Tony Jones on the loss to Hamilton.

“Whenever you take turns as a defence, those turn into explosions or big plays which makes the game 10 times harder. We sat on it this bye week and we’re extremely fired up to go back out there against a good Edmonton team and showcase what we can do when all cylinders are clicking.”

As ugly as it has been so far, this defence deserves a long leash. The Bombers have finished each of the last five seasons with the fewest offensive points allowed, so no one should be writing them off after just two poor outings.

That said, this unit can’t live off past accomplishments forever. If its numbers — sixth in points allowed (32.5), seventh in opponent net offence (422 yards), and dead last against the run (171 yards per game) — don’t improve soon, defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger will have some explaining to do.

Rankin up the yards

If the CFL handed out its Most Outstanding Player award after three weeks, it would likely go to Elks running back Justin Rankin.

Through two games, he’s averaging an absurd 9.1 yards per carry while piling up 281 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He also leads the team in receiving with 10 catches for 145 yards.

It’s early, but the 29-year-old out of Northwest Missouri State might just have a shot at becoming the CFL’s first 1,000-yards rushing/1,000-yards receiving running back.

The last time he faced the Bombers was in Week 19 last season, when he torched them for 138 rushing yards on 18 touches, highlighted by a 64-yard touchdown scamper.

With Winnipeg struggling to find its footing against the run, a matchup with Rankin couldn’t be coming at a worse time.

Edmonton is back

The Double E has been Winnipeg’s punching bag since 2017.

During that span, the Bombers have dominated the series, going 16-3 and outscoring Edmonton 621-382.

Winnipeg won 13 straight meetings before the Elks snapped the streak with a 25-20 home victory on Oct. 11, 2025.

You have to go back to June 14, 2018, to find the last time Edmonton won in Winnipeg.

This West Division rivalry may not be so one-sided moving forward, however, with the Elks finally appearing to have found their footing.

Under second-year head coach Mark Kilam, and with veteran quarterback Cody Fajardo providing stability under centre, Edmonton will look to start 3-0 for the first time since 2017.

No one is planning a parade down Jasper Avenue just yet, but if the Elks can escape Bomberland with a victory, it will be difficult to deny they are the real deal.

Collaros climbing the ranks

Collaros was brilliant against the Ticats, throwing for 421 yards — the third-highest total of his career and his fifth career 400-plus-yard game. Through two contests, he’s averaging 10.4 yards per attempt, up from 8.7 in 2025.

Thursday will mark his 80th career start in blue and gold (56-23), and he has a chance to move into second place on the franchise’s all-time passing yards list. Collaros (19,879) enters the game just 296 yards behind Khari Jones (20,175).

Exciting times

CFL action has been must-see TV through the first three weeks.

All 10 regular-season games have featured at least 50 points, and eight of those contests were decided in the final three minutes. In 2025, 51 per cent of games were decided in the closing minutes.

Is it too late for the league to reverse those upcoming rule changes?

winnipegfreepress.com/taylorallen