Before the season, this matchup would have been circled on everyone’s calendar. B.C., the Grey Cup hosts, flying to Winnipeg to play a Bombers team that has been to four straight championship games, winning two. The up-and-coming Lions’ offense vs. the tried and tested Winnipeg powerhouse. Kick-off is at 8:30 pm EST.
As we enter Week 9, this contest is more lopsided than we would have predicted. The Lions are the best team in the CFL in many offensive stats, while the Blue Bombers are one of the worst. The Lions are in a battle for first in the West, while Winnipeg is at risk of missing the playoffs entirely.
Do the Bombers have a shot? Or will the Lions throw all over them, like they have everyone else in the league?
Before you bet Week 9, check out our CFL Power Rankings for a quick recap on every team in the league.
B.C. Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Odds
Team |
Spread |
Total |
MoneyLine |
| B.C. | -5 (-110) | Over 50.5 (-108) | -245 |
| Winnipeg | +5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-112) | +200 |
**Odds Subject to Change** |
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B.C. Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers Match Details
- Fixture: B.C. Lions @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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Date and Time: August 1, 8:30 pm EST
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Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
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Weather: Sunny, 84 Degrees, Wind 12 MPH
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Field Type: Turf
Apex Tale of the Tape
| B.C. | vs. | Winnipeg |
| 5-2 | Record | 2-6 |
| 29.4 | Points Per Game | 20.4 |
| 85.3 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 102.8 |
| 342.1 | Passing Yards Per Game | 252.5 |
| 56.1 | Offensive Plays Per Game | 55.1 |
| 58.4% | 2nd Down Conversion | 39.8% |
| 24.3 | Points Allowed | 23.3 |
| 17 | Sacks | 10 |
| 4 | Interceptions | 5 |
| 81.0 | Rushing Yards Allowed | 116.9 |
| 292.3 | Passing Yards Allowed | 244.5 |
| Turnover Ratio | -8 | |
| 30:06 | Time of Possession Per Game | 29:13 |
Key Stats
B.C. Lions (5-2)
The Lions are fresh off a bye and looking for blood. In Week 7, they fell to the Stampeders 25-24 in what was a rare off-night for this offense. The Lions are first in the CFL in points per game, net offense, and passing yards per game. Moreover, QB Vernon Adams Jr. is first in passing yards, 2,395, second in touchdowns, 14, adding 166 yards and two scores on the ground.
This roster also carried two of the top three receivers in the league. Justin McInnis is number one in the CFL in yards, 780, and touchdowns, 6. Alexander Hollins is third in both those categories with 663 and 4.
RB William Stanback is fifth in the CFL in rushing yards with 389. Stanback ran for only 20 yards against the Stamps, and since Winnipeg has the worst run defense in the league, he is a good bet to go off this week.
Defensively, the Lions are in the middle of the pack in pretty much every category. The Bombers’ passing game has been dreadful this year, but if there’s a weakness in this B.C. defense, it’s the running game, where Winnipeg is second in the CFL.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-6)
As bad as Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg offense have been, last week’s five-turnover performance cannot be pinned on the quarterback. His interception was a tip drill on a play that should have been called for pass interference, and the rest were fumbles. Collaros threw for 317 yards and a touchdown.
RB Brady Oliveira leads the CFL with 511 rush yards, including 96 yards last week against the Argos, but he has yet to score a touchdown. Young receiver Ontaria Wilson continues to shine, as he racked up 129 yards and a touchdown last week, putting him at 463 yards and two scores on the season.
One of the more frustrating things about this year’s offense is that the defense, for the most part, has been playing lights out. They have kept their opponent under 20 points in three out of the last four games and allow only 23.3 points per game on the season, which is third in the CFL.
Prediction
There’s no secret as to who the better team is in this game. Fresh off of a bye and a sour defeat in Week 7, the Lions are going to put up a strong effort on Thursday. On top of that, the Bombers just can’t score right now. They have scored just 22 points in their last two games combined and average 20.4 points per game on the season. There’s a world where the Winnipeg defense plays the Lions very tough, but I still don’t trust the Bombers to put points on the board. Lions -5 is the play here.
Oliveira has been the only offensive consistency for the Blue Bombers in the last four weeks. He ran for 96 yards last week, 129 yards in Week 5, and 109 yards in Week 6. The Lions are third in the CFL in rush yards allowed with 81 per game, but we only need 76.5 (-105) for Oliveira’s over to hit.
Hollins had a disappointing Week 7, catching only one pass on four attempts for seven yards. Adams Jr. will be looking for him all night, and since he isn’t even the biggest threat on the offense, I expect the Bombers to give him his opportunities. Take over 5.5 receptions at -120.
Much like Hollins, Adams Jr. was not his superstar self against Calgary, and he’s had a week and a half to let that sink in. He’s thrown for over 330 yards in five of his seven games this season, four of which were over 360 and three of which were over 380. Take over 330.5 passing yards at -115.
Final Pick
B.C. Lions -5 (-110) , Under 50.5 (-112)
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