EDMONTON — With plenty left to sort out in the West Division playoff race, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head to Edmonton to take on the Elks in a crucial contest on Friday night.
Winnipeg improved to 8-8 with a win over the Calgary Stampeders last week.
Edmonton defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, 27-12, and can claim its first division title since 2015 with a victory or a Lions loss.
The Elks can sweep the season series, having already picked up victories over the Blue Bombers in Weeks 4 and 12.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Friday’s 9:30 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN in Canada and on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
1. DORIAN SING(ER) HIS PRAISES
In a wide receiver room full of impact players, Dorian Singer is looking to add one more. Singer has put himself on the radar as a capable target over the past few games with 113 receiving yards in Week 17 and 166 last week. He gives quarterback Zach Collaros another option against an Elks defence that allows the fewest yards per game and prides itself on shutting down opposing pass attacks.
2. BIG GAIN BRADY OLIVEIRA
Running back Brady Oliveira has feasted on the Elks this season, putting up 195 yards in two games. Six of his runs have gone for 10+ yards, with one over 20. It all points to the league’s leading rusher getting his fair share of touches again.
3. FIRING ON ALL PHASES
Being consistent is critical if the Bombers want to come away with a win and prove they can be a legitimate threat in the playoffs. On the defensive side, Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols and Major Williams have to take away space from Elks receivers Austin Mack and Brendan O’Leary-Orange. In the kicking game, Sergio Castillo needs to deliver when called on.
EDMONTON ELKS
1. PREPARE FOR A CLOSE ONE
Edmonton’s two previous wins over Winnipeg came by a total of eight points. The Elks are well equipped to play a similar style thanks to a defence surrendering 341.1 net yards per game. Defensive lineman Malik Carney, who had four sacks a week ago and 11 on the season, and defensive back Tyrell Ford, who leads the league in interceptions with seven, will have to play a big role in holding the Bombers off the board.
2. CODY FAJARDO FINDING THE END ZONE
Quarterback Cody Fajardo threw a touchdown in each of his first 13 starts, but has since gone three games without one. Getting back into the end zone won’t be easy, as Winnipeg has allowed 25 passing touchdowns, the fourth-fewest in the league ahead of this week’s action. Fajardo has completed 45-of-67 passes for 526 yards and two touchdowns against the Bombers this season.
3. OFF AND RUNNING
Like Oliveira, Elks running back Justin Rankin has enjoyed success against his opponent. Over two games this season versus Winnipeg, he’s totalled 199 yards and a touchdown, with seven runs of 10+ yards and two of 20+. He’ll look to bounce back after being held under 50 total yards against Hamilton for the first time since Week 15.
NEED TO KNOW:
- The last time Edmonton swept a three-game series against Winnipeg was in 1979.
- Zach Collaros is a career 15-9 against Edmonton.
- Cody Fajardo is 6-9 against Winnipeg.
- Tim White is 19 receiving yards shy of his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard season.