The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are one win away from making history – and it would be a surprise if they don’t get it done.
The Blue Bombers are favoured to beat the Toronto Argonauts in Sunday’s Grey Cup, which would make Winnipeg the first team to win three CFL titles in a row since Edmonton’s five-year run from 1978 to ’82.
Dive into the numbers and you’ll find many reasons to pick the Bombers to win the showdown in Regina.
But of course, stats mean nothing if teams don’t execute.
Here’s what Winnipeg has to do to make it a Grey Cup three-peat.
Run the ball effectively
Two-time reigning CFL most outstanding player Zach Collaros will start for Winnipeg, but it’s unlikely the star quarterback is 100 per cent after injuring his ankle in last week’s West final win over the B.C. Lions.
Collaros normally can make things happen with his legs – and it’s very possible that aspect of his game will be limited this week.
Therefore, the Blue Bombers can take a lot of pressure off their marquee player by establishing a solid running attack.
In the only meeting of the season between the teams this season, back in July in Toronto, Bombers running back Brady Oliveira rushed for just 28 yards as Winnipeg eked out a 23-22 win.
The Winnipeg-born Oliveira needs to do more here – and there’s every reason to believe he can.
The Argos were just sixth against the run in the nine-team league this season and Oliveira rushed for 130 yards last week. Playing behind an offensive line with two CFL all-stars, Oliveira needs to keep churning out the yards this week.
Push the Argos into second-and-long situations
Argos quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing this season, which is obviously a good thing.
However, he is one of the most polarizing players in the league – as he tends to vary between very good and very shaky.
The best way to put him into the latter category on Sunday is to limit the Argos on first down and force Bethel-Thompson into obvious passing situations on second down.
Bethel-Thompson was second in the league this year with 15 interceptions – and the Bombers will be primed to get their hands on balls if the Argos are forced to throw for significant chunks on second down.
It means Winnipeg must focus on slowing down former Bombers star running back Andrew Harris and fellow RB A.J. Ouellette.
Hit on the big plays
On passes with a depth of 20 or more yards, the Blue Bombers were way better than the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the past two Grey Cups.
Winnipeg completed six such throws in those games, while Hamilton wasn't good on a single one. On two attempts on those 20-plus-yarders, the Ticats threw interceptions.
A similar ratio here would go a long way to ensuring a Bombers victory.
Collaros’ favourite target is rookie of the year Dalton Schoen.
The Argos have an all-star cornerback in Jamal Peters, so it won’t be easy to beat Toronto over the top.
But Schoen has rarely faltered this year – and Collaros won’t shy away from taking some chances.
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