The Corbett Report, July 18, 2025

Introduction

It’s been a long two weeks since the Bombers took to the field.  A long two weeks to digest the debacle in Calgary on July 3^rd that saw the Bombers lose 37-16. That loss was bookended by two Collaros interceptions, one in the first quarter and one in the fourth and it felt like nothing went right with the Bombers the whole game through.  The Stamps didn’t take last week off and continued their winning ways with a convincing 24-10 win over the Riders.  I say convincing because to be honest, the score flattered the Riders.  Calgary could easily have put up 40 points in that game and the outcome never seemed to be in doubt.

So here we are in week 7.  The Bombers at 3-1 against the Stamps at 4-1.  The rematch of the July 3^rd game but this time on the Bombers’ home field.  Let’s see if having two weeks to think about the July 3^rd game has the desired effect of igniting the Bombers and making them come out fired up.  It’s a pivotal match-up as the teams play 3 times this year. Losing the two games to the Stamps gives them the season series and the inside track in the battle for first.  We’ll see if the Bombers are up to the challenge.

Welcome to week 7. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Bombers

This time last year the Bombers were 0-4.  So, 3-1 is definitely a better start.  Still too early to assess the true quality of this team, though.  The three wins have come against a BC team that came out o,f the gate struggling (game 1), and were playing without Nathon Rourke (game 2), and then the Elks (game 3)who, let’s face it, don’t seem to ever win. The one game that the Bombers played against a real contender in the CFL, they looked like a bunch of high school players.

Key to the Bombers performance, as usual, is the running game.  Brady Oliveria is back healthy and will be the starter tonight at running back.  Zach Collaros is a seasoned veteran and should be able to flush the memory of the two INTs he threw on July 3^rd. It’s the defence that should have Bomber fans worried.  For those of you who have chosen to forget the last time the Bombers played the Stamps, the Bomber secondary gave up a 43-yard pass play by Vernon Adams in the first quarter and a 66-yarder in the second.  I’d say that giving up the big plays on defence contributed more to the Bomber loss than did Zach’s two interceptions.

They’ll need to tighten up on defence against the high-powered Calgary offence and hang onto the ball on offence if they hope to have a chance in this game.

Calgary Stampeders

The Stamps weren’t picked by many to be a contender in 2025 but the addition of Vernon Adams at the QB position has given them instant credibility.  It’s really the defence though that is quickly defining this team.  The Stamps lead the league in points allowed, allowing just 91 points in 5 games.  For those of you who are math challenged that’s less than 20 points a game.  You’re going to win a lot of games in the CFL if you can keep that up.

Calgary presents a formidable foe for the Bombers this week.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	T	Pts	Pts for	Pts Against
West
Calgary	5	4	1	0	8	140	91
Saskatchewan	5	4	1	0	8	145	123
Winnipeg	4	3	1	0	6	113	94
BC	6	3	3	0	6	136	146
Edmonton	5	1	4	0	2	118	170
East
Hamilton	5	3	2	0	6	158	141
Montreal	5	3	2	0	6	142	112
Toronto	5	1	4	0	2	128	163
Hamilton	5	6	4	0	1	133	173

Stamps so far are proving the pundits wrong.  Averaging just 18 points against per game!

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Hang onto the ball.  Turnovers will kill ya
• Defence doesn’t give up the big play
• Don’t let the Stamps get ahead

For the Stamps to win

• Repeat the July 3^rd game plan – win the turnover game and hit the big play
• Contain the Bomber run game
• Get an early lead

The predictions

The Corbett report is 15-8 so far this year, 2-2 in Bomber Games.  Here’s this week’s predictions:

I’m going for a home team sweep this weekend. 

• Montreal over Toronto (Davis Alexander returns)
• BC over Sask as the Lions start to get their act together
• Ottawa (despite their QB woes) over Hamilton at home (in an upset)

And in our feature game look for home field advantage to fire up the Bombers.  It’ll be a challenge against the stingy Stamps but in the end, it’ll be:

Bombers 32 Stamps 30

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