Life is back to normal for Drew Willy and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Bombers had to play two games within a five-day span last week, with predictable results. Winnipeg dropped a 23-17 home decision to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 7, then suffered a 38-21 setback in Toronto on Aug. 12.
The two losses dropped Winnipeg (5-3) into a tie for third with Saskatchewan (5-2) and B.C. (5-3) in the West Division. Edmonton and Calgary are first with identical 6-1 records.
Not only should the Bombers be well rested but they host the Montreal Alouettes (1-6) on Friday night. West teams have dominated their Eastern brethren, amassing an amazing 20-3 head-to-head record.
Now, it was close last week. Toronto beat Winnipeg while Edmonton, Calgary and Saskatchewan went to the wire before emerging victorious over their Eastern rivals.
The Argos, playing their second game in five nights, briefly led B.C. in the second half before dropping a 33-17 decision.
Willy, who has twice rallied Winnipeg to stirring, last-minute wins this season, didn't enjoy such magic last week. He threw for 303 yards and a TD versus Saskatchewan but also had three interceptions.
Then against Toronto, Willy had two TD passes and completed 22-of-31 attempts but for only 183 yards. The two losses fully exposed the Winnipeg defence's Achilles heel.
Saskatchewan's Jerome Messam rushed for 126 yards -- all in the second half -- against Winnipeg, which also surrendered 174 rushing yards against Toronto. The Bombers are allowing 116.1 yards rushing per game this year, with only Ottawa (121 yards per game) giving up more.
And even with Nic Grigsby (league-high 416 yards rushing), the Bombers sport the CFL's worst rushing attack, averaging just 70 yards per contest. That puts the onus on the aerial game -- which is ranked second overall -- to generate points for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg needed a late Willy TD strike to beat the Alouettes 34-33 in Montreal on July 11.
But points have been a problem for a Montreal offence averaging a league-low 15.8 per game. The Alouettes, losers of five straight, are also last in passing yards (179 per game).
With former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith injured, former Bomber Alex Brink started against Saskatchewan last week. He completed 19-of-31 passes for 187 yards with an interception while being sacked three times by CFL leader John Chick (11 this season).
Receiver Duron Carter had the game's biggest play, but it was returning a missed field goal 122 yards for the touchdown. Until Montreal gets more production from its quarterbacks, the offensive struggles will continue.
