‘They’re a West opponent and we’re both trying to make the playoffs, so this is a big one,’ said Stamps defensive tackle Mike Rose
Already, the CFL’s West Division has begun to take shape.
This weekend should go a long way towards solidifying the way the rest of the summer — at least — will look.
But when the Calgary Stampeders (2-2) take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4) on Friday night, it’s got major implications, too.
A win for the Stamps puts them comfortably in the third playoff spot, with the reeling Bombers facing an uphill battle to try to catch them by season’s end.
A loss, though, and the Bombers will be feeling like they’ve been handed a lifeline.
The Stamps are trying to avoid thinking about the big picture and focus on improving, but they know that even this early in the season there’s an opportunity to heap pressure on a rival.
“It’d be nice to just win another game,” said Stamps defensive tackle Mike Rose. “They’re a West opponent and we’re both trying to make the playoffs, so this is a big one.”
It’s a big one on a number of levels.
The Bombers have been the CFL’s dominant team since 2019, of course, winning two Grey Cups in the last five years and representing the West Division in two others — the 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID.
And while the game in Calgary two weeks ago wasn’t exactly a barnburner, there were some encouraging elements of the Stamps’ performance.
Their defensive line, in particular, was as effective as it’s been all year.
They held star running back Brady Oliveira to only 26 yards and while they were only credited with one sack they consistently pressured Bombers quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler.
That d-line play may hold the key to beating these Bombers, who busted out for 200 rushing yards last week against the Ottawa Redblacks and were 7-0 last season when they ran for at least 150 yards.
If you can limit the Bombers on the ground and make life difficult for their quarterbacks, well, that’s a good recipe against any team.
“Sack totals are always what you look for but it really is hits and pressure that really impact a quarterback and make the most difference,” said Stamps GM/head coach Dave Dickenson. “You get them into longer situations. All quarterbacks are good at second-and-four or five, so try to establish yourself with physicality up-front, get them into longer pass situations and hopefully get home.”
On the other side of the ball, the Stampeders are still looking to find their sweet spot offensively.
The group fell apart against the Alouettes, and they’ll certainly need more than the 106 passing yards that quarterback Jake Maier managed if they’re going to have any chance against the Bombers.
They’ll need better protection than they got from the offensive line in last weekend’s fourth quarter, too, and improvements from just about everybody.
They know the stakes, though, and are well aware of what the result of Friday’s game could mean come November.
Quick hits
When the Stamps released their depth chart for Friday’s game, there was good news and bad news. The positive is that Dedrick Mills is back in the lineup at running back after missing last week’s game, but unfortunately the negative is that intriguing RB B.J. Emmons has been added to the six-game injured list … That six-game injured list just keeps getting longer. Somehow, it’s only four games into the year and the Stamps already have 11 players on the six-game. Rysen John and Darius Williams should, fortunately, come off soon, but it’s the second year in a row that the Stamps have been hit hard by some serious injuries.