The surging Winnipeg Blue Bombers will aim to punch their ticket to the postseason on Friday night when they complete a home-and-home series against the Edmonton Elks.
The West Division-leading Blue Bombers (8-6) recorded their sixth straight victory last Saturday with a 27-14 road win over the Elks (5-9).
Winnipeg can clinch a playoff spot with a win in Edmonton, but don’t tell that to Blue Bombers coach Mike O’Shea.
“Doesn’t matter,” O’Shea said. “Until you guys mention it, I’m not even paying attention. I don’t look at the standings.”
Brady Oliveira rushed for 127 yards and scored his first two touchdowns of the season to pace Winnipeg to victory.
Elks quarterback Tre Ford had a night he’d rather forget, tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble as Edmonton fell for the second time in its last seven games.
That performance likely went a long way toward having the quarterback carousel take another turn for McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who began the season as the Elks’ starter.
“This is not personal,” Edmonton coach Jarious Jackson said. “I love every guy in that quarterback room. It’s about winning football games, and that’s my job: to make tough decisions to win football games.”
Bethel-Thompson ranks third in the CFL with 3,146 passing yards along with 19 touchdowns, which is second-best in the league.
“I’m excited,” Blue Bombers defensive back Tyrell Ford said, per the Winnipeg Sun. “I think Bethel will throw more than my brother did. So more opportunities for me. (Tre) had his opportunity; he didn’t perform. It kind of (stinks), but you’ve got to do your job.”
Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros will look to do a better job after completing 19 of 27 passes for just 191 yards last week. He threw one TD pass and one interception.
The Elks likely had no qualms with Justin Rankin, who rushed 14 times for 157 yards against Winnipeg.
–Field Level Media
