At the beginning of the year, the battle between the Bombers (2-5) and the Argos (3-3) was circled on everyone’s calendars. Two juggernauts, head to head, potentially fighting for first in the CFL. Well, heading into this Week 8 clash, that is not the scenario at all.
Through injuries, and plain old bad play, the Bombers are off to their worst start in over a decade, after going to four straight Grey Cups. The defense has done its job for the most part, but this historically great offense has been anything but through seven games. A loss on Saturday will put this team in a big hole as we get closer to the halfway point of the season.
The Argos running game is the best in the league by a mile, but their inconsistency at QB and defensively has made this season a roller coaster. The Argos are looking to bounce back after losing to the previously winless Ti-Cats last week.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Toronto Argonauts Odds
Team |
Spread |
Total |
MoneyLine |
| Winnipeg | +1.5 (-108) | Over 48.5 (-110) | +105 |
| Toronto | -1.5 (-112) | Under 48.5 (-110) | -125 |
**Odds Subject to Change** |
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Winnipeg vs. Toronto Match Details
- Fixture: Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Toronto Argonauts
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Date and Time: July 27 @ 7:00 pm EST
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Location: Toronto, Ontario
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Weather: Sunny, 81 Degrees, Wind 5 MPH
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Field Type: Natural Turf
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Winnipeg | vs. | Toronto |
| 2-5 | Record | 3-3 |
| 21.3 | Points Per Game | 29.7 |
| 101.0 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 129.2 |
| 243.3 | Passing Yards Per Game | 236.0 |
| 54.4 | Offensive Plays Per Game | 58.2 |
| 41.2% | 2nd Down Conversion | 47.4% |
| 24.3 | Points Allowed | 28.0 |
| 8 | Sacks | 13 |
| 5 | Interceptions | 5 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed | 57.7 | |
| 261.7 | Passing Yards Allowed | 281.5 |
| -5 | Turnover Ratio | -2 |
| 28:52 | Time of Possession Per Game | 31:59 |
Key Stats
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-5)
After losing their first four games, the Bombers have won two of their last three, coming off a lifeless loss to the Riders last week. The root of their lackluster season begins and ends with the offense. After being a dominant offense for the last four years, Collaros and crew have scored more than 30 points only once this year and less than 20 points four times.
QB Zach Collaros has 1,406 yards, seven interceptions and only two touchdowns in 5.5 games this season. Those two touchdowns came in one game against Calgary in Week 6. In the six games he’s started, he’s thrown a pick in all but one.
Star RB Brady Oliveira has had a frustrating campaign to say the least. In the two Winnipeg wins, Oliveira had 238 yards on 38 carries. in the four losses he has 177 yards on 39 carries. He was injured in Week 2. For whatever reason, they are not using him in key situations, and their record shows it.
Their pass defense is the second in the CFL, but the pass isn’t what they need to be worried about against the Argos. The Argos have the best rushing attack in the CFL, and the Bombers have the worst run defense, allowing 119.9 yards.
Toronto Argonauts (3-3)
After starting the season 2-0, the Argos have lost three of their last four, including a loss to the winless Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The other two losses were against the Riders and the Alouettes, who are two of the best teams in the CFL.
The Argos lead the league in points per game with 29.7 and it all starts with their run game. RB Ka’Deem Carey leads the CFL with 429 yards, and is first among running backs in touchdowns with three. QB Cameron Dukes does his part every week, running for 198 yards and two scores this season.
Defensively, this team is hard to read. They are second in yards allowed with 320.5, second in rush yards allowed with 57.7, and fourth in pass yards allowed with 281.3. Yet, they are at the bottom of the league in points allowed with 28.
Prediction
The Bombers win games if Oliveira runs the ball. They won’t let him, so they won’t win this game. Conversely, Winnipeg can’t stop the run, and nobody runs the ball better than the Argos. Toronto wins this game, at home, on Saturday.
For Winnipeg, Oliveira’s rush yard total is 62.5, and as previously stated, he’s only hit over that number three out of the six games he’s played. They haven’t let him run enough this year, and this Argos run defense is a beast. Take the under at -115. Collaros’ pass yard total is 263.5. He’s hit that number three out of five games he’s completed, and considering the run will be hard to come by, take the over at -115.
For the Argos, Carey has run for over 60 yards in every game except for one. His total for this game is 71.5, and even though he’s only hit that number twice, he’s never ran through the holes the Bombers give up every week. Take the over at -115.
We love to give out sure bets, but what’s Saturday night without a little sweat? Between kickoff returns and punt returns, Janarion Grant has 1,005 yards, which is by far the highest total in the league. He has also gone to the house three times, two on punts, and one on kickoffs. All three of those have come in the last three weeks, so let’s sweat a Grant TD at +1700.
Final Pick
Toronto Argonauts -1.5 (-112)
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