The Corbett Report, October 21, 2023

Introduction

When we last chatted, the Bombers were coming off a bye week and heading into the two most important games of their season.  Toronto at home and BC on the road.  Fast forward three weeks and guess what, a few things have changed.  After a pedestrian workman-like victory over Toronto and a stunning come-from-behind overtime victory in BC, the Bombers now find themselves in first place.  But not just “in” first place.  With last night’s Stampeder victory in BC, the Bombers have now officially clinched first in the western division. 

Perhaps it was a bit premature back in the summer to suggest the Bombers were too old to be competitive.

Welcome to week 20. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	Pts for	Pts Against
West
Winnipeg	16	12	4	24	513	339
BC	18	12	6	24	495	439
Calgary	17	6	11	12	399	435
Saskatchewan	17	6	11	12	361	522
Edmonton	17	4	13	8	342	472
East
Toronto	16	14	2	28	535	348
Montreal	17	10	7	20	420	372
Hamilton	17	8	9	16	388	439
Ottawa	17	4	13	8	413	480

The only thing left to be decided in the standings is who places third in the west.  A victory by Toronto over Saskatchewan this afternoon and the Stamps are in.  A Rider victory and the Stamps will need to beat the Bombers on their home turf next week to secure third.

Bombers

For the third year in a row the Bombers will be hosting the Western Final.  Whether that constitutes a “dynasty” is open to debate but suffice to say the current edition of this franchise is checking all the boxes.

• Sound management, check
• Quality, consistent coaching, check
• Solid quarterbacking, check
• Stingy defence, check
• Persevering attitude, check

It all translates to:

• Solid fan support, check

How solid? Well, before last night’s Stamps victory (which turns today’s game into a meaningless contest), the Bombers were trending towards their fourth consecutive sellout.  That’s unheard of in the CFL.

Who plays Saturday remains to be seen.  I’m thinking Zach will start at QB but probably not play the whole game.  At receiver, Dalton Schoen’s out so look for Brendan O’Leary-Orange to get a few balls thrown his way.  On defence, I’d expect to see most of the regulars starting the game but again, expect some substitutions as the game goes along.

One thing for certain though, whoever the Bombers dress they’ll come to play.

Elks

The Elks started the season so poorly (0-9 through the first half of the season), it’s amazing that Chris Jones still has a job!  Since that 0-9 start though they’ve managed to eke (that’s eke, not Elk) out a respectable 4-4 record and actually look like they have the foundations for a solid team.  Not this year though.

The resurgence for the Elks has all been about Tres Ford.  Coming into the season he was something like 8^th on the depth chart, today he’s #1.  Not too shabby for a Canadian boy.

Again, it’s a nothing game for the Elks as well so how many of their starters we’ll see today remains to be seen.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Defense needs to step it up and get some pressure on Tres Ford
• Stop Edmonton from getting a big punt return
• Win the turnover battle

For the Argos to win

• Score early – have the lead at the half
• Tres Ford burns the Bombers with his legs
• Get a punt return for a TD

Corbett report record

CFL Overall                46 out of 75 (61%)

Bomber games            12 out of 16 (75%)

The predictions

Road teams will get the first two of this 3-game week.  Pick Calgary over BC (I did type this before last nights game was played) and Toronto over Saskatchewan. 

But the last game of the week will see the Bombers prevail at home. 

Bombers 33 Elks 19