Bombers are well-positioned for more wins
CFL: Soaring team’s next three games against beatable Alouettes, Roughriders
Penton’s prediction
The Bombers are going to continue their winning ways. Already victorious in three straight, their next three games are against the league’s two weak links: the Alouettes and Roughriders (Labour Day Classic and Banjo Bowl). That gives them a glorious opportunity to win six in a row.
Tweet of the week
“These fines are getting out of hand, there’s no consistency, no clear clarification, and the picking/choosing of certain players is unfair!”
— Lions CB Ronnie Yell, who appears to have been fined for a uniform issue
By the numbers
184 — Special teams tackles for Lions LB Jason Arakgi, tied with Wade Miller for most in CFL history
66-17 — Margin by which the Alouettes have been outscored in the fourth quarter this season
3-0 — Bombers’ record against backup quarterbacks this season
1-4 — Bombers’ record against starting quarterbacks this season
Boss blunder
Even if Ticats quarterback Zach Collaros decided all by himself to heave a deep ball into massive coverage on third-and-five late in Saturday’s game against the Lions, his coaches should have warned him to be smarter.
It happens way too often at the end of games as trailing teams are marching towards tying or winning the contest: Going for the gusto when a first down will do.
The Ticats were down seven and facing third-and-five from the Lions 36 and still had 31 seconds on the clock. Instead of worrying about the first down, however, Collaros fired a pass into the end zone. There were four Lions defenders against two Ticats receivers, and the ball didn’t come close to being completed.
Smooth move
The Lions were able to put together an excellent game plan against the Tiger-Cats on Saturday night at B.C. Place. Specifically, their decision to go with a hurry-up offence worked wonders.
The Tiger-Cats are notoriously slow starters — they have now been outscored 129-53 in the first half this season — and they were starting the game at 10 p.m. EDT, which has killed many an East Division team that has travelled to the Left Coast.
Offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones had young quarterback Jonathon Jennings running the plays quickly, and it helped the Leos jump out to a 32-12 lead. It was an advantage that paid off later in the game when the Ticats stormed back to make it 38-38 before ultimately falling 45-38.
Power rankings
1. (1) Calgary The train keeps rolling in Cowtown, where Bo Levi Mitchell is ruling like a boss, both on and off the field. 2. (2) B.C. The Leos almost blew it at home against the Tiger-Cats on Saturday night. But they won, and that’s all that matters. 3. (3) Ottawa The Redblacks enjoyed the bye and still had a great week in the East thanks to Argos, Ticats and Alouettes losses. 4. (6) Winnipeg The Blue and Gold are getting it done with turnovers, scoring a whopping 71 of their 199 points, or 36 per cent, off gifts. 5. (4) Hamilton Now that Zach Collaros is back, the Ticats are about to be back to where they should be — at or near the top of the East. 6. (7) Edmonton The Eskies should have throttled the Alouettes, but turnovers made it close. The defence might be starting to come around. 7. (5) Toronto The Boatmen are beat up, and backup quarterback Logan Kilgore is giving away footballs like it’s candy at a parade. 8. (8) Montreal The Alouettes deserve some credit for putting up a fight at Commonwealth Field last week, but they’re just not good enough. 9. (9) Saskatchewan Darian Durant needs to get it together. Until then, the Riders are headed for another 3-15 season.
The week ahead
Friday, 4 p.m. Montreal at Ottawa (-9) The Redblacks are a pedestrian 1-1-1 at home, but the Alouettes will be just what the doctor ordered. Redblacks by 18. Friday,7 p.m. Calgary at B.C. (-3) This clash of the titans at B.C. Place should be excellent viewing and give the winner a nice jump. Lions by 3. Saturday, 1 p.m. Edmonton at Toronto The Esks are showing signs of life. The Boatmen struggle at home, too. Eskimos by 6. Saturday, 4 p.m. Saskatchewan at Hamilton The Tabbies are 0-2 at home, and the Roughies are 0-3 on the road. Something will give. Ticats by 14. Last week: 4-0 Overall: 15-17