Blue Bombers look to become first CFL team to clinch playoff berth
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers can become the first CFL team to punch its 2022 playoff ticket.
Winnipeg (10-1) can secure a post-season berth Sunday with a road win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5) to open their annual Labour Day series. The two teams return to IG Field on Sept. 10 and will meet a third time Sept. 30 in Manitoba.
Even with a loss, the Bombers would be the first club to secure a playoff berth if the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Ottawa Redblacks and Edmonton Elks all lost their games this week. When Winnipeg clinches its all-but-assured spot in the post-season, the defending Grey Cup champions (2019, 2021) will do so for a sixth straight year.
Last year, Winnipeg qualified for the post-season in its 10 regular-season game, but that was based on a shortened 14-game schedule.
Winnipeg is 5-0 within the West Division this season but faces Saskatchewan for the first time. The Blue Bombers are coming off a three-game sweep of the Calgary Stampeders with last week's 31-29 victory and also have wins over the B.C. Lions and Edmonton Elks.
The Riders announced Wednesday head coach Craig Dickenson has tested positive or COVID-19 but is expected to return to the team Saturday.
Against Calgary, Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros finished 19-of-26 passing for 294 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Winnipeg native Nic Demski had eight catches for 117 yards and a TD while defensive back Donald Rutledge had a game-high 10 tackles.
The Riders are also coming off a win. Cody Fajardo threw for 321 yards and two TDs in Saskatchewan's 23-16 victory over the B.C. Lions last week.
Granted, B.C. was without starter Nathan Rourke (foot) and backup Michael O'Connor (groin) was injured early. But the Riders held the Lions' offence to 251 total yards while Saskatchewan's offence had the ball for over 33 minutes in the contest.
Defence is a strength for both Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. The Bombers have allowed a CFL-low 16 offensive touchdowns while Saskatchewan leads the league in turnovers forced (33) and sacks (34).
Winnipeg's offence is tied with Calgary for first overall in fewest turnovers (15) and stands second in offensive TDs (30). Saskatchewan boasts the CFL's top ground attack (109.8 yards per game) but is seventh in rushing touchdowns (eight).
The unit is also tied for fourth in offensive points (22.6) and fifth in offensive TDs (26) but stands second last in both passing yards (234.5) and net offensive yards (320.4).
What's more, Winnipeg is unbeaten in six road games this season while Saskatchewan is 3-3 at home.
Pick: Winnipeg.
Ottawa Redblacks versus Montreal Alouettes (Friday night)
At Montreal, the Alouettes (4-6) chase a third straight win and look to at the very least remain second in the East Division standings. The club has been off since rallying for an exciting 29-28 home victory over Hamilton on Aug. 20. The trade Wednesday of veteran Vernon Adams Jr. to B.C. only drives home the fact this remains Trevor Harris's team. Nick Arbuckle draws a second straight start for Ottawa (2-8) after completing 21-of-32 passes for 219 yards in its 25-18 road win over Edmonton last week.
Pick: Montreal.
Toronto Argonauts versus Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Monday afternoon)
At Hamilton, Toronto (5-5) can remain atop the East Division with a third win in the fourth and final regular-season meeting with its arch rival. Last week, Jamal Peters returned one of his three interceptions for a TD in leading the Argos to a 37-20 home win. Dane Evans remains under centre for the Ticats (3-8) with backup Matt Shiltz (wrist) reportedly out. Evans leads the CFL in interceptions (13), fumbles (seven) and fumbles lost (six) and is 2-7 this season as a starter. But it's Labour Day, after all.
Pick: Hamilton.
Edmonton Elks versus Calgary Stampeders (Monday afternoon)
At Calgary, Jake Maier will make a second straight start for the Stampeders (6-4) after completing 23-of-28 passes for 294 yards and three TDs versus Winnipeg last week. Malik Henry was on the receiving end of seven of those passes for 122 yards and all three touchdowns. If there was a concern, though, it was the Bombers rushing for 171 yards on 25 carries (6.8-yard average). The good news for Edmonton (3-8) is they're not at home, where they've dropped 13 straight including last week's 25-18 decision versus Ottawa.
Pick: Calgary.
Last week: 2-2
CP's overall record: 38-9.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Conservatives call on Elon Musk to step in after Liberals provide loan to Ottawa-based satellite operator
A $2.14-billion federal loan for an Ottawa-based satellite operator has Canadian politicians arguing about whether American billionaire Elon Musk poses a national security risk.
Sunken superyacht believed to contain watertight safes with sensitive intelligence data
Specialist divers surveying the wreckage of the US$40 million superyacht that sank off Sicily in August, killing seven people including British tech tycoon Mike Lynch, have asked for heightened security to guard the vessel, over concerns that sensitive data locked in its safes may interest foreign governments, multiple sources told CNN.
Myths busted and lessons learned: John Vennavally-Rao on his surgery to reverse his ostomy
Twenty-seven year CTV News reporter and anchor John Vennavally-Rao shares his story of what it was like to have an ostomy bag as part of his health-care battle. 'I’m grateful for what it did to extend my life,' he writes in a personal column for CTVNews.ca.
B.C. election campaign officially underway
The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.
Northern Ont. man fined for hunting bull moose without a licence after trying to cover it up
A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.
Heavy metal exposure could increase cardiovascular disease risk, study finds
A new study is adding to emerging research showing that exposure to metals such as cadmium, uranium and copper may also be associated with the leading cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease.
Operation to remove Nearly 1,000 tires from the Saint Lawrence River
Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Montérégie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.
Hezbollah targets base near Haifa after Israeli strike in Beirut killed 37, including top commander
The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah announced that it fired a barrage of missiles at a military base deep inside Israel early Sunday following an Israeli airstrike more than a day earlier that killed at least 37 people, including one of the militant group’s senior leaders as well as women and children.
Rescuers free entangled sea lion off Vancouver Island
A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.