The Corbett Report, August 3, 2023

Introduction

The Bombers enter this week’s matchup against the Lions with a 5-2 record.  I’d say (as someone who survived the Jeff Reinbolt era and the Mike Kelly era and the Joe Mack era) that a 5-2 record would be pretty easy to accept.  Heck, in 2019 after 7 games the Bombers had an identical 5-2 record, and we all know how that season ended.  So why is it, then, that there seems to be so much angst in Bomberville this year.  Concerns have been expressed that the team has lost a step, that they don’t dominate like they have for the past three years, that they’re getting too old.  Well, part of that angst I’m sure stems from the results of the June 22^nd game against tonight’s opponent, the BC Lions.  The Lions defence man-handled the Bombers offence, holding the Bombers to just 2 field goals and 235 net offence enroute to a 30 – 6 victory.  A far worse stat however, may be the one that’s triggered much of the concern about the Bombers 2023 squad.  On June 22^nd the Bombers gave up a whopping SEVEN sacks.  A team that’s become known for protecting the quarterback came up woefully short that night and indeed, on other nights as well (the Bombers have given up 18 sacks through 7 games compared to last years’ season TOTAL of 16).

So, tonight’s game may as well be titled “Will the real Winnipeg Blue Bombers reveal themselves”.  Is it going to be a team in decline unable to perform at the level they once did?  Or will they show they’re still the team to beat in the league and that June 22^nd was just a blip.  I’ll let you know at 10:30 pm on August 3^rd.

Welcome to week 9. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	For	Against
WEST DIVISION
BC	7	6	1	12	182	94
Winnipeg	7	5	2	10	190	147
Sask	7	3	4	6	138	178
Calgary	7	2	5	4	170	192
Edmonton	8	0	8	0	105	212
EAST DIVISION
Toronto	6	6	0	12	217	124
Montreal	6	3	3	6	131	129
Hamilton	7	3	4	6	146	207
Ottawa	7	3	4	6	152	158

The standings speak to the importance of this game.  A win by BC and not only will they be four points up on the Bombers but they’ll also have won the season series, which in effect means the Bombers would have to gain 6 points on the Lions to beat them out for first.

Bombers

The Bombers are coming off a much-needed bye week and have gotten many players back from injury.  Players that didn’t play on June 22^nd include Kenny Lawler, Jackson Jeffcoat, Kyre Wilson and Winston Rose.  Suffice it to say tonight’s game will feature the healthiest and most rested squad that the Bombers have fielded this year.

The challenge tonight will clearly be getting yardage and points against the best defence in the league.  It will be essential to establish a run game early to push back against the dominant BC pass rush (averaging 3.6 sacks per game).  Keeping the offence on the field is key to a Bomber success.  I hate to bring it up but if you recall the meltdown in Ottawa, it’s easy to see how ugly it can get with the defence on the field for too long.

I’m looking forward to a solid offensive outing by the Bombers at home.  Without that it could be a long night.

The Lions

The Lions are so much about their defence that what happens when they have the ball has been largely overlooked.  Dane Evans is starting at quarterback tonight in place of the injured Vernon Adams but based on the Edmonton game it’s apparent that the Lions barely miss a step with Evans in (I know, it was only Edmonton, but still . . .)

The Lions really are all about the D.  Consider this: if one removes the Toronto game from the stats (where they gave up 45 points to the Argos), the Lions are allowing just EIGHT points a game.  What’s more, they’ve shut out an opponent twice this year.  In the CFL one shut out is an exceptional accomplishment, never mind two.

Still, while the Bomber fans keep harking back to that June 22^nd game as maybe a harbinger of things to come, the Lions are in the same boat, looking back to that Argos game.  It begs the question: are the Lions that good, or have their opponents just been that bad?

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Protect Zach.  The O-Line can’t be giving up sacks
• RUN RUN RUN the ball
• Win the turnover battle

For the Lions to win

• Continue to play like they did on June 22.  Sack Zach, and do it again.
• Stop the Bombers from hitting the big play
• Hold the Bombers running game to 60 or less yards

Corbett report record

CFL Overall                18 out of 31 (58%)

Bomber games            5 out of 7 (71%)

The predictions

Only three teams have a winning record thus far into the 2023 season.  I’m predicting 2 of them lose this week.

• Calgary hands Toronto their first loss of the season
• Montreal over Hamilton
• Saskatchewan breaks their losing streak with a victory over Ottawa at home

And of course, at IG Field the Bombers will get revenge over the Lions and prove the naysayers wrong:

Bombers 20 Lions 16