3 keys to victory for Winnipeg, Toronto in the Eastern Semi-Final presented by Wegovy®
Jason Halstead/CFL.ca
Player in white uniform holds football with player in blue uniform in front of him.
TORONTO — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers cross over to face the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Semi-Final presented by Wegovy® on Saturday afternoon.
Winnipeg needed a win in Week 21 to secure their playoff spot.
Toronto finished second in the East Division with a 9-9 record.
The two teams met twice during the regular season, with the Blue Bombers winning 30-21 in Week 6 and the Argonauts coming away victorious, 30-28, in Week 17.
Here’s three keys to victory for both teams ahead of Saturday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff, which can be watched on TSN, CTV and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.
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WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
1. ON THE BACK OF BRADY OLIVEIRA
Running back Brady Oliveira is riding a high following a season-best 149-yard game against BC last week. He also finished atop the rushing yardage leaderboard with 1,493. The Bombers’ offensive success could hinge on his ability to find gaps versus an Argos’ front that’s allowing 105.7 yards per game.
2. THROWING IT BACK TO DRU BROWN
With quarterback Zach Collaros sidelined with a rib injury, head coach Mike O’Shea is banking on a strong performance from Dru Brown. Brown delivered in relief versus the Lions, completing 11 of 11 passes for 185 yards in the must-win game. He’s also seen the Argos’ defence twice this season, throwing for 339 yards in Week 6 and 193 in Week 17.
3. SIDELINE TO SIDELINE COVERAGE
The Bombers’ 77 pass knockdowns top the league, but the Argos also tied for the lead with 57 big plays (defined as passes over 30 yards and runs over 20). With no shortage of threats at wideout, it’s going to take a collective effort from defensive backs Evan Holm, Redha Kramdi, Deatrick Nichols and Major Williams to limit the deep ball.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
1. CHAD KELLY AND HIS HEALTH
There may be no player more important to his team than quarterback Chad Kelly. In 16 games this season, he’s passed for 5,067 yards and 33 touchdowns. If there’s cause for concern, it’s his 24 interceptions and whether he can be at his best after exiting a Week 20 loss to Ottawa and missing the regular season finale with a knee injury.
2. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
A big part of Kelly’s success will depend on his receivers’ ability to create separation against a Winnipeg secondary that’s allowed an average of 274.8 yards through the air this season, the second-fewest of any team. Receivers Damonte Coxie (1,322), David Ungerer III (1,118), Tyler Kahmann (1,092) and Kevin Mital (1,008) all surpassed the 1,000-yard mark and have the ability to stretch the field.
3. UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Toronto led the Canadian Football League in sacks with 42, while Winnipeg surrendered a league-high 41. Defensive linemen Shawn Lemon and Ralph Holley, who combined for 17 of those sacks, need to find a way into the backfield to apply pressure on Brown and halt Oliveira before he finds space for lengthy gains.
NEED TO KNOW:
Bombers’ receiver Nic Demski is listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury.
Winnipeg’s Trey Vaval has totalled 1,066 punt return yards.
Toronto had four receivers reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in franchise history.
Argos’ linebackers Adarius Pickett and Isaac Darkangelo ranked first and third in the league, respectively, in defensive tackles with 103 and 100.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and can be watched on TSN, CTV, Crave and RDS in Canada, as well as on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally.