The calendar is about to flip to October and, if you’ve followed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over the last few years, that’s been a time usually reserved for discussions about ‘tragic’ numbers and about pointing fingers of blame.

So there was Chris Randle after practice on Wednesday looking forward to Friday’s critical match-up with the Edmonton Eskimos when the interviewer and the interviewee paused for a moment.

Isn’t it something, Randle was asked, to be talking about a game this late in the season meaning so much for a change?

“Most definitely,” answered Randle, with a grin. “I mean, this is what gets your blood flowing. This is what we come up here for, this is why we’re paid to do what we do. We live for these moments.”

“We’ve got an opportunity to better our position this Friday. Now we’ve got to grab it.”

Chris Randle

That’s a nifty little segue into a look at what is ahead for the Bombers as they make the final turn toward the end of the regular season and, they hope, the playoffs.

We know what some of you are thinking, channeling your inner Jim Mora here to debunk any suggestion of meaningful games come November until the spot is actually locked down.

Still, at 8-5 and with five games left, the Bombers have a real chance to put the Eskimos (6-7) in their rear-view mirror with a victory Friday at Investors Group Field. Not only would a win give the Bombers a six-point cushion on the Esks, it would also give them the season series if the playoff positioning came down to a tiebreaker.

A ninth win would also inch the club closer to at least a crossover playoff spot with the Toronto Argonauts currently third in the East Division at 5-8.

But the Bombers have eyes on a bigger prize than just qualifying for the postseason. With a back-to-back with the B.C. Lions (currently 8-4) also on the horizon, there is still a chance to lock down a home playoff date if this team can piece together another run.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (8-5)

Remaining games: 5
Home: 3; Road: 2

Week 15: vs. Edmonton
Week 16: vs. B.C.
Week 17: at B.C.
Week 18: Bye
Week 19: vs. Ottawa
Week 20: @ Ottawa

B.C. LIONS (8-4)

Remaining games: 6
Home: 4; Road: 2

Week 15: vs. Ottawa
Week 16: @ Winnipeg
Week 17: vs. Winnipeg
Week 18: vs. Edmonton
Week 19: @ Saskatchewan
Week 20: vs. Saskatchewan

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (6-7)

Remaining games: 5
Home: 1; Road: 4

Week 15: @ Winnipeg
Week 16: @ Montreal
Week 17: Bye
Week 18: @ B.C.
Week 19: @ Hamilton
Week 20: vs. Toronto

So yeah, this is a big one. Not that you’d get Mike O’Shea to think beyond anything but Friday, as it would mean a serious deviation from his don’t look behind/too far forward mantra.

Here’s the Bomber boss when asked after practice if this time of the year means players prepare differently, knowing what is ahead of them.

“I don’t know that there is anything (different),” he said. “A player will say it and I know it’s cliché, but I think it’s the way not just football players but pro athletes in general operate. If you can put more energy into one game’s preparation than the next, then you’re cheating. You’re cheating the system, you’re cheating your teammates. You’ve got to be able to prepare on a consistent basis, week in, week out, no matter the game.

“I really don’t believe there’s much different.”

Fair enough. Let’s concede the preparation might not be different. But the consequences, win or lose, become bigger the longer this club stays in the playoff fight. And the bell is about to ring for the critical rounds.

BLUE ON THE FYI…

The Bombers (8-5) are home to the Edmonton Eskimos (6-7) Friday night, 7:30 p.m., at Investors Group Field.

Three things you should know as the club completed its final full practice before this critical West Division showdown:

SO LONG, JOHNNY

The Bombers swung a deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday, sending cornerback Johnny Adams east for the negotiation list rights to receiver Mekale McKay, cut earlier this month by the Indianapolis Colts.

Adams, a West Division All-Star last year after finishing tied for the league lead in interceptions with six, had been working with the No. 2 defence this week after struggling in last week’s loss to Calgary. He missed the first eight games of the season with a hamstring injury and was set to become a pending free agent this winter.

McKay (6-5, 210, Cincinnati) is another big target who could fit into the Bombers plans next season. He played in 38 games in three seasons (2013-15) for the Bearcats, finishing with 87 receptions for 1,717 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The move isn’t so much an indictment on Adams’ play since he returned to the lineup, but a testament to the work Terrence Frederick has done and the depth the club has at the position since acquiring T.J. Heath from the Toronto Argonauts in the Drew Willy trade.

“It wasn’t hard to watch,” said Frederick of being out of the lineup, waiting his turn. “I’ve got a bond with these guys. I want to see them compete and they want to see me compete. Who’s in, who’s out… anybody could be a starter. We love and care for each other so that didn’t make a difference. As long as I prepare myself and I’m ready to go when my number is called, I’ll be alright.”

BUSY BUSY

The club did more than just ship Adams to the Ticats, adding one and releasing four from the practice roster.

Coming aboard is O-lineman John Kling (6-7, 325, Buffalo), who was most recently on the Chicago Bears practice roster following their 2016 training camp. A three-year starter in college with the Bulls, Kling played both right and left tackle during his collegiate career.

Cut adrift, meanwhile, were D-lineman Eric Martin and Erik Williams, receiver Lonnie Outlaw and linebacker Nick Temple. Said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea of the release of Martin, who dressed for his first CFL game on Saturday and shared the defensive end duties with Shayon Green:

“The roster is real full at this time of year and we’ve got to make some moves. With the practice roster expansion we’ve got some guys that came in that we’d like to get a look at.”

OUCH REPORT

Andrew Harris dressed again for practice on Wednesday, but did not take any work with the No. 1 offence, so Timothy Flanders looks to make his third straight start – even though O’Shea won’t rule out his star tailback.

“It’s a little more clear today,” said O’Shea on Harris’ status. We haven’t made our decision yet.”

As for whether he needed to take reps during practice in order to go, O’Shea repeated a message he has delivered for over two weeks now on Harris:

“It’s irrelevant. What year is this for him? He’s a pro.”

Receiver/returner Quincy McDuffie did practice – “He looked good today” according to O’Shea, while Ian Wild seems certain to return to his linebacker spot.

O’Shea did say he was hoping veteran O-lineman Jeff Keeping, who has been out all season, will still be able to see game action before the season is done.