WEATHER REPORT: Sunny, 22 C, wind NW 7
THE LINE: Winnipeg -4
1. Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray and receiver S.J. Green have been two of the CFL?s hottest players through three weeks of the season and there?s a good chance they could feast on the Bombers secondary, which has allowed an average of 354.5 yards per game so far. Ray leads the CFL with an average of 399 passing yards per game through three starts, while Green is second in the league with 367 receiving yards on 19 catches.
2. The Bombers defensive line has been outstanding so far, especially against the run. The Bombers have allowed just 47.5 yards per game along the ground in two games, with run-stoppers Drake Nevis, Cory Johnson and Jake Thomas getting the job done in the middle. The Argos aren?t likely to run often though, as they are averaging just 40.3 yards per game, so the most important job of the Bombers defensive line is to get after Ray. Jackson Jeffcoat makes his CFL debut at defensive end for the Bombers, in place of the injured Tristan Okpalaugo.
3. The Bombers linebacking corps will look a little different with veteran weak-side LB Ian Wild out with an arm injury for at least six weeks. Former NFLer Kyle Knox slides into that spot after mostly playing middle linebacker this season behind starter Sam Hurl. Knox played weak-side in college and in the NFL, so he feels very comfortable with the switch, but the Bombers could miss Wild?s considerable experience.
4. The trade the Argos agreed to last season to acquire quarterback Drew Willy ? who has since been cut ? has turned out to be incredibly lopsided in the Bombers favour. The Bombers got the first overall pick in this year?s draft, which they used to pick defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie, and they picked up a third-rounder in 2018, which they used to grab receiver Drew Wolitarsky in the supplemental draft. Best of all, the Bombers got all-star defensive back T.J. Heath, who tied for the league lead in interceptions last season and leads the CFL with three in two games this season. Heath knows Ray from his time with the Argos and will be looking to continue his ball-hawking ways on Thursday night.
5. Bombers defensive back Roc Carmichael is on the bubble. He?s been beaten a few times already for touchdowns and isn?t likely to get many more chances. The former NFLer needs a big game against the Argos to keep his spot in the lineup.
THE KEY MATCHUP
Bombers offensive line against Argos defensive line
The Argonauts have an astounding 14 sacks already through three games, twice as many as any other team in the league. The Bombers offensive line has allowed seven sacks in two games, which is an early concern. The Bombers line will need to be in absolute top form to handle the Argos, particularly defensive end Victor Butler, who already has seven sacks this season. Bombers tackles Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick will have the prime responsibilities for dealing with Butler and Shawn Lemon, while quarterback Matt Nichols is going to need to make quick decisions and release the ball in a hurry.
INSIDE THE GAME
The Bombers will be looking to run the football more than they have in the first two weeks of the season, taking advantage of a massive offensive line to get a push for running back Andrew Harris. With the Argos impressive front seven ? which includes last year?s top defensive player in the East, Bear Woods, at middle linebacker ? standing in the way, it might be a difficult task, but it?s absolutely necessary for the Bombers to establish an effective run game in order for Nichols to start throwing downfield and possibly take advantage of the Argos secondary ? It hasn?t taken long for the Argos to re-establish themselves as favourites in the East Division under new coach Mark Trestman. He has the offence rolling and piling up the yards, while the defence has also been exceptional. You have to give the Argos the edge on the coaching side of things, even though Mike O?Shea has improved his team over the last year ? The Bombers are just 11-26 at Investors Group Field, a number they simply must improve upon to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
The Argos have been very strong through three weeks of the season, while the Bombers have made plenty of mistakes while going 1-1. This game is very important for the Bombers and they must cut down on the miscues, but even if they do, this Argos team with Ray, Green and that fearsome front seven will be very tough to beat. Argos 34, Bombers 32.
INJURIES:
Bombers: DB Kevin Fogg (1-game), WR Addison Richards (1), DB Bruce Johnson (6), LB Ian Wild (6), LB Shayne Gauthier (6), DE Tristan Okpalaugo (6)
Argos: WR Chandler Worthy (6), WR DeVier Posey (6), WR Jeff Fuller (1), OL Mason Woods (6),
CHANGES:
Bombers: In ? LB Jovan Santos-Knox, DE Jackson Jeffcoat; Out ? LB Ian Wild, DE Tristan Okpalaugo
Argos: In ? DB Qudarius Ford, RB Martese Jackson, DL Dylan Wynn; Out ? DL Ken Bishop, WR DeVier Posey, WR Chandler Worthy.
THE LINE: Winnipeg -4
1. Veteran quarterback Ricky Ray and receiver S.J. Green have been two of the CFL?s hottest players through three weeks of the season and there?s a good chance they could feast on the Bombers secondary, which has allowed an average of 354.5 yards per game so far. Ray leads the CFL with an average of 399 passing yards per game through three starts, while Green is second in the league with 367 receiving yards on 19 catches.
2. The Bombers defensive line has been outstanding so far, especially against the run. The Bombers have allowed just 47.5 yards per game along the ground in two games, with run-stoppers Drake Nevis, Cory Johnson and Jake Thomas getting the job done in the middle. The Argos aren?t likely to run often though, as they are averaging just 40.3 yards per game, so the most important job of the Bombers defensive line is to get after Ray. Jackson Jeffcoat makes his CFL debut at defensive end for the Bombers, in place of the injured Tristan Okpalaugo.
3. The Bombers linebacking corps will look a little different with veteran weak-side LB Ian Wild out with an arm injury for at least six weeks. Former NFLer Kyle Knox slides into that spot after mostly playing middle linebacker this season behind starter Sam Hurl. Knox played weak-side in college and in the NFL, so he feels very comfortable with the switch, but the Bombers could miss Wild?s considerable experience.
4. The trade the Argos agreed to last season to acquire quarterback Drew Willy ? who has since been cut ? has turned out to be incredibly lopsided in the Bombers favour. The Bombers got the first overall pick in this year?s draft, which they used to pick defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie, and they picked up a third-rounder in 2018, which they used to grab receiver Drew Wolitarsky in the supplemental draft. Best of all, the Bombers got all-star defensive back T.J. Heath, who tied for the league lead in interceptions last season and leads the CFL with three in two games this season. Heath knows Ray from his time with the Argos and will be looking to continue his ball-hawking ways on Thursday night.
5. Bombers defensive back Roc Carmichael is on the bubble. He?s been beaten a few times already for touchdowns and isn?t likely to get many more chances. The former NFLer needs a big game against the Argos to keep his spot in the lineup.
THE KEY MATCHUP
Bombers offensive line against Argos defensive line
The Argonauts have an astounding 14 sacks already through three games, twice as many as any other team in the league. The Bombers offensive line has allowed seven sacks in two games, which is an early concern. The Bombers line will need to be in absolute top form to handle the Argos, particularly defensive end Victor Butler, who already has seven sacks this season. Bombers tackles Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick will have the prime responsibilities for dealing with Butler and Shawn Lemon, while quarterback Matt Nichols is going to need to make quick decisions and release the ball in a hurry.
INSIDE THE GAME
The Bombers will be looking to run the football more than they have in the first two weeks of the season, taking advantage of a massive offensive line to get a push for running back Andrew Harris. With the Argos impressive front seven ? which includes last year?s top defensive player in the East, Bear Woods, at middle linebacker ? standing in the way, it might be a difficult task, but it?s absolutely necessary for the Bombers to establish an effective run game in order for Nichols to start throwing downfield and possibly take advantage of the Argos secondary ? It hasn?t taken long for the Argos to re-establish themselves as favourites in the East Division under new coach Mark Trestman. He has the offence rolling and piling up the yards, while the defence has also been exceptional. You have to give the Argos the edge on the coaching side of things, even though Mike O?Shea has improved his team over the last year ? The Bombers are just 11-26 at Investors Group Field, a number they simply must improve upon to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
The Argos have been very strong through three weeks of the season, while the Bombers have made plenty of mistakes while going 1-1. This game is very important for the Bombers and they must cut down on the miscues, but even if they do, this Argos team with Ray, Green and that fearsome front seven will be very tough to beat. Argos 34, Bombers 32.
INJURIES:
Bombers: DB Kevin Fogg (1-game), WR Addison Richards (1), DB Bruce Johnson (6), LB Ian Wild (6), LB Shayne Gauthier (6), DE Tristan Okpalaugo (6)
Argos: WR Chandler Worthy (6), WR DeVier Posey (6), WR Jeff Fuller (1), OL Mason Woods (6),
CHANGES:
Bombers: In ? LB Jovan Santos-Knox, DE Jackson Jeffcoat; Out ? LB Ian Wild, DE Tristan Okpalaugo
Argos: In ? DB Qudarius Ford, RB Martese Jackson, DL Dylan Wynn; Out ? DL Ken Bishop, WR DeVier Posey, WR Chandler Worthy.
