Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Strevelercentre, breaks free of Calgary Stampeders' Cordarro Law during first half CFL football action in Calgary, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
5 Quick Takes on the Bombers’ loss to the Stamps Saturday at McMahon Stadium in Calgary:
1. It had all the elements of playoff football – the mammoth big plays, the slobber-knocking hits, critical turnovers – but came minus the sudden-death element of the postseason. And in the end, it was the Stampeders who knocked off the Bombers 37-33 in front of 26,885 fans at McMahon Stadium in a result that leaves Winnipeg very vulnerable in its quest for a home playoff game.
The loss drops the Bombers to 10-7, behind both the Stamps and Saskatchewan Roughriders – now 11-5 after their wins this weekend. Winnipeg and Calgary are now tied 1-1 in their season series heading into next Friday’s game at IG Field.
2. Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell was mammoth in the Stampeders’ win as he completed 22 of 33 passes for 337 yards and three TDs – all to Reggie Begelton. Mitchell is now 11-2 in his career against the Bombers; 12-2 if you include last year’s win in the West Final.
The Bombers got a heroic performance from Chris Streveler, who had to exit the game with 7:19 remaining after a gritty effort in which he took a pounding, only to return in an attempt for a late rally. Streveler finished 18-of-27 for 116 yards with a TD pass to Kenny Lawler and two interceptions – the second on the last play of the game on a Hail Mary – while also rushing 15 times for 85 yards.
3. It was an all-over-the-map night for the Bombers defence, who were shredded for 337 passing yards by Mitchell and 361 total net yards. But it was the defence which was also the catalyst in the first half with two critical turnovers that led to points. Those plays were authored by Marcus Sayles, who forced a fumble and returned it 24-yards for a TD, and then an interception by Winston Rose to set up a 25-yard TD run by Lucky Whitehead.
4. Other notable numbers:
- Winston Rose’s interception was his league-leading ninth.
- Andrew Harris eclipsed the 14,000 mark in yards from scrimmage Saturday night, becoming just the seventh player in CFL history to do so. Harris finished with 11 carries for 55 yards
- Justin Medlock connected on all four of his field goal attempts.
5. The Bombers are home at IG Field next Friday for the final game of the regular season, with a 7:30 p.m. start. Winnipeg will then have the bye for the final week of the regular season before the playoffs.
