Fatigue no excuse for Bombers’ dismal play

Visiting teams used to fear playing at Princess Auto Stadium.

At one time, it wasn’t a question of whether the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would win at home — it was a question of by how much.

From 2017 to 2025, the Blue and Gold posted a dominant 54-14 record in front of the team’s diehard fans.

Those days, however, are firmly in the rearview mirror.

The club is 1-4 in its own backyard this season, and the most recent loss was by far the most deflating.

The banged-up, inexperienced, one-win B.C. Lions came to town and walked away with a convincing 35-19 victory on Thursday night.

The loss sends Winnipeg into its second bye week at 4-4. Meanwhile, the Lions improved to 2-6 and are suddenly back in the playoff race.

“I mean, it’s not good, that’s for sure,” said receiver Nic Demski post-game.

“We can’t just keep saying the same stuff over and over again, myself included. We all got to be better here, we all gotta come back from this bye and be better for each other.”

As much as everyone in Bomberland would like to forget this one, there is far too much that needs to be put under the microscope.

Let’s get into it with 5 Takeaways.

CAN’T STOP THE RUN

Deatrick Nichols couldn’t help but shake his head when he found out the Lions scampered for a club record 377 rushing yards.

That’s also the most rushing yards the Bombers have ever allowed in franchise history. The previous mark was 349 by Edmonton in 1956.

The CFL record since 1967 is 393 which the Bombers set, funnily enough, against the Lions in 2009.

“Being here for six years, yeah, of course, it’s kind of hard to digest and see us perform like that,” said the veteran defensive back.

“But it’s only Game 8. Everything we want is still in front of us.”

Nichols isn’t wrong, but it’s hard to believe in this group after a despicable outing like that.

Everyone and their dog knew the Lions would have to lean heavily on the run to have a chance, and yet, it looked like one huge surprise to the Bombers.

Rookie Lions QB Kaidon Salter — who was making his first career start for an injured Nathan Rourke — set a new franchise record for rushing yards by a pivot with 160 on 10 attempts. And Zander Horvath did even more damage at tailback by averaging 11.2 yards per carry with 191 yards and three touchdowns.

They especially ran wild in the fourth and outscored Winnipeg 25-3.

To add more salt to the wound, the Lions accomplished the feat without their starting running back James Butler, and with two backup offensive lineman playing.

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t have a reasonable explanation for what transpired after the game.

“Those big runs, especially near the end, we’re just not where we’re supposed to be. A combination of guys being tired near the end and also trying too hard, which is a bad combination,” he said.

Being tired and trying too hard…seriously?!

This is arguably the most pathetic loss the Bombers have suffered since O’Shea took the reigns in 2014.

DOWN GOES BROWN

Is the final score 35-19 if Bombers quarterback Dru Brown doesn’t get injured in the fourth?

Probably not.

They were leading 16-13 when an apparent lower back injury took him out with just under 10 minutes remaining.

Rookie Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma was thrust into action and looked completely overwhelmed and things got real ugly in a hurry.

But even when Brown was under centre, the Bombers hardly impressed. The offence desperately lacked creativity and were as predictable as the final outcome of a Harlem Globetrotters game.

Outside of the touchdown drive at the end of the third, the Bombers didn’t air the ball down field whatsoever.

Running back Brady Oliveira was productive with 19 carries for 107 yards, but this offence can’t just be a one-man show.

It was obvious Brown was working with a watered-down playbook after tossing four picks last week against Calgary.

HE’S NO GAMBLIN’ MAN

Don’t expect to find O’Shea at a casino any time soon.

The Bombers outplayed B.C. for the entire first quarter, but all they had to show for it was a measly 6-0 advantage.

On their opening drive, the Bombers were facing a third-and-two on B.C.’s eight-yard line. Instead of gambling, O’Shea trotted out kicker Sergio Castillo for a 16-yard kick.

Then on the next touch, which came after the Lions fumbled in their own end, the Bombers were staring at a third-and-goal from the four-yard line, and they once again opted for a chip shot field goal.

You don’t need to play an overly risky hand when you’re matched up against a rookie QB, but if the Bombers did go for it and failed to convert, they would’ve at the very least pinned Salter deep.

Instead, they made things easy on the Lions. The visitors had one solid drive at the end of the half to take a 7-6 lead into the break.

WATCH OUT FOR WILLIE

One of the very few bright spots through eight games has been the play of Willie Jefferson.

The 35-year-old is on a four-game sack streak for the first time since 2023 and is in a tie with teammate Jake Ceresna and Lions DE Mathieu Betts for the league lead in QB takedowns with six.

Outside of Jefferson, Oliveira and returner Trey Vaval, is anyone else truly having a great season in Winnipeg?

BUCKLE UP

There’s no such thing as a must-win game in July, but that was not a contest the Bombers could afford to lose.

After the upcoming date with the Ottawa Redblacks on Aug. 14, the Blue and Gold enter a stretch with the CFL’s version of murderers’ row.

They play in Edmonton (6-1) on Aug. 21, host Montreal (6-1) on Aug. 28, then square off with the reigning champs, Saskatchewan (4-2), for the annual home-and-home.

It’s hard to envision the Bombers sitting above .500 in a few weeks unless they suddenly wake up.

There’s a strong possibillity that Zach Collaros will be ready to rock for the Ottawa game, but it’s unfair and unreasonable to expect the 37-year-old quarterback will solve everything.

winnipegfreepress.com/taylorallen