Big Blue have eyes on the prize

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This article was published 20/10/2023 (724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers still have one piece of important business to take care of ahead of what they hope to be another fruitful playoff run.

With the lowly Edmonton Elks in town, a victory for the Blue and Gold at IG Field Saturday would seal the West Division. Technically, the Bombers could already be winners of the West before the game even begins, so long as the B.C. Lions fall to the Calgary Stampeders at home Friday night.

The likelihood of them getting any help there appears slim, though, as the Stamps have struggled to gain much momentum in the second half of the regular season, winning just twice over their last eight games. That works just fine for the Bombers (12-4), who understand the importance of securing the West, having done so the last two years, and are prepared for a 4-12 Elks team arriving in Winnipeg to play the role of spoiler.

“We expect them to play hard, to be well-coached and show up and give us everything they’ve got,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said after Friday’s walkthrough. “I do know this, in any contact sport, if you’re not playing as hard as you can, there’s a risk (of injury) out there.”

Alas, no freebies will be had. To get ready for what should be a physical and entertaining affair, let’s dive deeper into Saturday’s game in the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

NOTHING FOR GRANTED

Looking at the Elks’ dismal record of just four wins, it’s easy to simply write them off as the free space on the bingo card. That argument is only strengthened by the fact Edmonton is entering the weekend on a three-game losing streak – a stretch of games that has seen the Elks lose by an average margin of 15 points.

As bad as the Elks have been, their biggest downfall is an inability to play consistent football for 60 minutes. That might sound cliche, but the proof is in the pudding, as the Elks have been close in two of their three most recent tilts, including having a 21-3 lead over the Montreal Alouettes last week until the wheels fell off late in the second quarter.

There were signs of life by the Elks in both games against the Bombers his season, even if Winnipeg ultimately found a way to win. In a 28-14 victory back in Week 7, the Bombers led by two points late in the third frame, and while Winnipeg earned another win, 38-29, three weeks later, it had to rally back down 22-0 to secure the two points.

That was before the Elks started to catch fire, with Edmonton going on to win four of their next five games. No one is suggesting Edmonton is a juggernaut, but with several young players still auditioning for a roster spot next season, I expect the Elks to put up a fight.

BUILT FORD TOUGH

Stop Tre Ford, stop the Elks. If the Bombers are going to win, it starts and finishes with limiting the Canadian quarterback.

Ford has been the club’s brightest development this season after taking over behind centre for Taylor Cornelius. The 24-year-old earned his first start this year against the Bombers in Week 10 and has shown some steady improvement over the last two months.

He’s completed nearly 70 per cent of his passes for a modest 1,781 yards, throwing for 12 touchdowns compared to six interceptions. Ford’s greatest strength, however, is his legs, registering 608 rushing yards and three TDs over the last nine games — an average of nearly 70 yards per match.

Ask around the league and Ford is viewed as arguably the best athlete in the CFL, and it’s his athleticism that’s covered up some of his warts. To get a better understanding of Ford’s running ability, he’s the only pivot in the league that forces opposing defences to consider having a dedicated QB spy.

It’s important to note Ford has been asked to throw more the last three games, which in talking to him on Friday sounds like it’s by design, in order to help with his development. It’s also the first time all-star receiver Eugene Lewis will be in the lineup against the Bombers this season, which should help out the passing game.

SCHOEN ADDED TO THE ONE-GAME

The Bombers will be without one of their own all-star receivers, as Dalton Schoen has been added to the one-game injured list with an ankle issue suffered in a Week 18 win over B.C.

The club has been scant on details regarding the injury, but since Schoen was unable to return to practice after the bye week, and several of his teammates have shown some major concern for his well-being, there’s reason to believe it’s not a short-term ailment.

Such is life in professional football, and the Bombers will simply have to adopt the next-man-up mentality. It’s impossible to replace Schoen, who is leading all receivers with 10 TDs and has the third-most receiving yards (1,222) in the league, the benefit is it will give some more experience to the team’s depth at the position.

With Schoen out, Brendan O’Leary-Orange gets the start, while Greg McCrae has been added from the practice roster. For what it’s worth, while O’Leary-Orange hasn’t had a ton of production, with just four catches for 49 yards, two of the catches and 29 yards have come against the Elks.

While Schoen is a significant loss, the Bombers have too many weapons at their disposal to be in trouble. I expect Kenny Lawler and Nic Demski to get an increased workload, along with Drew Wolitarsky and Rasheed Bailey. Bailey has been a good soldier all year, responsible for much of the grunt work in the trenches, but it could be a breakout game for the physical and reliable receiver.

OLIVEIRA READY TO ROLL

When I brought up the idea of the frigid fall conditions incoming, including the high chance of snow by season’s end, Brady Oliveira couldn’t help but to break into an ear-to-ear smile. The Bombers running back can’t wait to see his touch count grow as clubs tend to lean on the run game in the cooler months.

While the forecast calls for clear skies and a low of 7 C at IG Field, I suspect we’re going to see a full order of Oliveira in this one. This isn’t expert analysis by any stretch, as it’s no secret the Elks are wanting when it comes to stopping the run, allowing a league-worst 135.5 yards per game, and Winnipeg leads the CFL with an average of 136 rushing yards through 16 games.

The other part is Oliveira is extremely motivated to add to his record-breaking numbers, which currently stand at 1,426 rushing yards and seven TDs, along with 465 receiving yards and four more scores through the air. He’s already set a new franchise mark for most rushing yards by a Canadian, surpassing Andrew Harris, and is on pace to record 1,604 yards on the ground, which would give Oliveira the second-highest rushing total ever by a Canadian.

There’s also a tight race between Oliveira and QB Zach Collaros for the club’s most outstanding player award. Both are worthy candidates. Saturday’s game is the final tilt before votes need to be submitted on Sunday, making it the final opportunity to prove their case.

WEST UP FOR GRABS

Just to reiterate, the Bombers clinch the West if the Lions lose to the Stamps Friday (the result will come after press deadline) or with a victory over the Elks in the event B.C. wins. If B.C. wins and the Bombers can’t beat the Elks, then Winnipeg will have to beat the Stamps in Calgary on the final week of the regular season.

There’s a lot at stake here, and the Bombers have the inside track. The winner of each Division has the easiest route to the championship game in any North American professional sport, needing just one home victory in the West final to punch their ticket to the Grey Cup.

If the Bombers can clinch the West, it would mark the third straight year they’ve achieved the goal. It would also be the first time since 1962 that Winnipeg has sealed the West Division in three consecutive years.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton