The Corbett Report, June 21, 2024

Introduction

Unfamiliar territory for the Bombers as they head into their 3^rd game of the season.  Let’s answer a few questions:

When did the Bombers last start 0-2

The last time they started 0-2 was 2016.  In that year the Bombers rallied to post an 11-7 record only to lose by a point to the BC Lions in the Western Semi-final.

When did the Bombers last start 0-3

The Bombers last started 0-3 in 2012.  Note that in the 2012 season the Bombers started the season with 4 road games (which were all losses) as they waited for the construction of their new football stadium to be completed.  They went on to post a losing 6-12 record and ended up last in the East division that year.

So yeah, unfamiliar territory.  Particularly when one considers the record since Zach Collaros arrived.  Since his arrival the Bombers have gone 45-10, made it to the Grey Cup four years in a row and won two of them.  So one can see how a 0-2 start leaves the rabid Bomber fan base staring in stunned silence at the standings.

Whether it’s due to a lack of preparedness, the loss of key personnel in the offseason, injuries, advancing age or the unsteady play of rookies, it’s fair to say the Bombers haven’t looked anything like they have over the last four seasons.  In fact, they look more like the team that went on a 29-year Grey Cup drought between 1990 and 2019.  No Bomber fan wants to repeat THAT experience! 

But hey, the year is young, and tonight is a chance for a fresh start.  A challenge for sure as the BC Lions come to town. As the song says “Is this the beginning, or is this the end?”

Welcome to week 3. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Bombers

No doubt, doubts are undoubtedly starting to creep in in Bomberland.  Here are a few fun facts:

• Although Oliveria will dress tonight he’s listed as #2 on the depth chart.  Oliveria barely participated in training camp, has barely practiced and was doubtful for tonight’s game.  It begs the question, what’s up with last year’s most outstanding Canadian?

• Bombers lost a couple of key members over the O-Line during the offseason, most notably Jermarcus Hardrick.  It seems that the new O-Line can’t protect Zach and can’t open the holes for the run.

• The Bombers roster this week shows 5 rookies on defense.  Given that a key matchup this week is BC’s pass attack against the Bomber’s secondary . . . this could get ugly.

• The Bombers special teams have been, well, less than special.  Fear not though, other than the fact they can’t return the ball, can’t stop a return and can’t consistently hit field goals, they’re fine.

Needless to say, tonight has the potential to be a statement game.  What will be the statement though? Will it be:

• WE’RE BACK

       or

• Yeah, we’re not those guys anymore

Lions

Picked by many to be playing in the Grey Cup they’re hosting, the Lions come to town a solid, well-coached bunch.  I do have to say though, their 1-1 start is a bit of a surprise.  Giving up 35 points to Toronto in their opening game was a surprise for a defense that averaged only 24 last year.  Then the Calgary game, while a victory, wasn’t the dominant effort I expected.  Still, the Lions have improved in the offseason with the addition of William Stanback who should give them a running game (should they ever convince Vernon Adams not to chuck the pigskin).

The Lions are 1-6 against Collaros including losses in the last two Western Finals.  Given the pressure on them to be playing in their own Grey Cup and their history at Princess Auto Stadium, they just might be ripe for a Bomber picking.
Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	Pts for	Pts Against
West
Saskatchewan	2	2	0	4	62	51
BC	2	1	1	2	53	52
Calgary	2	1	1	2	49	50
Edmonton	2	0	2	0	42	52
Winnipeg	2	0	2	0	31	50
East
Montreal	2	2	0	4	50	32
Toronto	1	1	0	2	35	27
Ottawa	1	1	0	2	23	19
Hamilton	2	2	0	0	54	65

The Sesame Street song “One of these things doesn’t belong here” comes to mind.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Score early and regain their mojo
• Don’t turn the ball over or give the Lions freebees on offense
• Have a more balanced attack regardless of who’s running the ball, RUN IT

For the Lions to win

• Hit the big pass play early and silence the crowd
• Win the game in the trenches.  Both the Bomber O-Line and D-Line are suspect
• Win the time of possession.  Bombers can’t score when they don’t have the ball

The predictions

Corbett report record is 2-6 overall and 0-2 in Bomber games.  So obviously this is the place to come to for insightful and accurate CFL predictions.

This week will be a week of upsets.  In particular:

• Ottawa over Montreal (Upset #1)
• Hamilton over Saskatchewan (Upset #2)
• Edmonton over Toronto (Upset #3)

And of course, the biggest upset will be tonight:

Bombers 36 Lions 33

Be sure to check out jcorbettreport.com