Stiff test for Bombers

One strong quarter isn’t going to cut it this week.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-2) — fresh off a 36-34 overtime victory in Ottawa — host the Calgary Stampeders (2-4) Friday night (7:30 p.m.).

It’s a rematch from Week 1 where the Blue and Gold outlasted the Stamps 30-28 at McMahon Stadium.

Calgary arrives in Winnipeg on a two-game losing streak after dropping back-to-back one-score games against the high-powered Montreal Alouettes.

“We’re happy where we’re at, but we feel we can be a lot better. I think consistency is the biggest thing we’re striving for,” said Bombers guard Patrick Neufeld after Thursday’s walk-through.

“I think it’s pretty common to have ups and downs in the first third of the season, but we want to start leveling that off and rising and elevating.”

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

ANOTHER START FOR BROWN

Dru Brown will again be under centre for the Bombers with starting pivot Zach Collaros out with a neck injury.

Brown is 2-0 this season and is flying high after overcoming a 17-point fourth-quarter to beat his old club.

“There’s definitely things to clean up, especially early on,” said Brown on Thursday. “I think we’re trying to address those things. But as we got into it and got rolling a bit, I was happy with how we fought back and started to execute better.”

Brown heads into this one with a spotless 4-0 career record against Calgary.

And if he can keep his streak going, the Bombers will clinch the season series against their West Division foe.

For that to happen, it’ll help if Brown and Co. can start the game without a self-inflicted wound. Two weeks ago against Toronto, receiver Ontaria Wilson fumbled the ball yards away from the end zone on the first possession. Then on Sunday, short-yardage quarterback Bryce Perkins was stuffed for a turnover on downs on just the third play of the game.

KRAMDI OUT, KELLY IN

It was an eyebrow-raiser to see safety Redha Kramdi added to the six-game injury list on Thursday.

He made the game-winning play in Ottawa when he knocked down a pass in the two-point conversion shootout and seemed just fine in the locker room afterward.

Head coach Mike O’Shea wouldn’t comment on whether he got hurt during the game, or if something happened in Wednesday’s closed practice, but whatever the case may be, Kramdi’s out against the Stamps. He’s not expected to be out long term.

The Bombers will turn to fourth-year Canadian Jake Kelly to take over at safety. This will be his fourth career start, and first since 2024.

The 27-year-old from Markham, Ont., recorded his first career INT last week when he picked off Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier. Kelly has played a fair amount of snaps this season despite being listed as No. 2 on the depth chart.

“He’s ready. There’s nothing he has to do differently, honestly,” said halfback Deatrick Nichols.

RUNNIN’ AROUND

Brady Oliveira needs to turn it up a notch to stay in the CFL’s leading rusher race.

He currently resides in third with 423 yards and has only ran for 100-plus yards once this season, which happened against Calgary. Though his numbers lately have been modest by his standards, Oliveira is only 97 ground yards away from becoming the fifth Canadian in league history to reach 6,000 career rushing yards.

Then there’s Calgary tailback Dedrick Mills, who sits in first with 524 yards after torching the Als last week for 130.

Mills leads the CFL in carries (85) and is averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry. Mills had 112 yards and a 7.0 average against the Bombers in their initial meeting.

The Stampeders boast the top rushing attack in the CFL with 125.3 yards per game.

BIG PLAY VA

You can’t blame Calgary’s losing record on their offence.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has the Stamps scoring 37.7 points per game, which ranks first in the nine-team circuit.

They’ve scored 30-plus in six consecutive outings — a feat they haven’t accomplished since 2016.

They don’t go down without a fight, either.

The Stamps trailed by at least 22 points in both of their losses against Montreal before making things interesting in the end. All four of their defeats have been by seven points or less.

But none of those stats hold a candle compared to this one: Adams hasn’t thrown an interception in his last 243 pass attempts, which is the fourth longest streak in CFL history.

He enters Week 8 with a sensational 17-0 TD:INT ratio.

The Bombers have only forced two interceptions this season.

D-WHAT

It’s hard to believe Calgary can be under .500 with an offence that’s producing at that high of a level.

But take one look at their defence and you’ll understand why.

Their opponents are averaging an absurd 447.3 yards per game, which will end up being a franchise record, and not a good one, if it stands. They’re also dead last in points against with a 35.7 weekly average.

With all that said, Calgary does have one of the best D-lines in the league. Arguably their best player, defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings, and standout edge rusher Folarin Orimolade missed Week 1 but they are both healthy now. Those two, along with star defensive end Clarence Hicks, are a force to be reckoned with.

“I’d say it’s the strength of their team,” said Neufeld. “They’re a handful.”

It’s a different story in the secondary where they’ve allowed the opposition to toss for a league-high 361.3 yards per contest.

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