The Corbett Report, August 1, 2025

Introduction

A 3-0 start seemed so promising for the Bombers but since then???? Well, not so much.  Two losses in a row to a Calgary team that was on fire could be considered a glitch, but July 26^th???? A 31-17 loss to the Argos, who had but one win on the season, well, that was really unacceptable in Bomberland.  It could be blamed on the coaching staff for playing Zach before he was truly recovered from his neck injury.  Or maybe blame the defensive coordinator who can’t seem to teach the secondary what their job is.  Whatever the reason, and there’s lots of finger pointing available, this year’s edition of the Bombers just doesn’t seem to have the character that the team had in the past five years.  This brings us to what is truly a pivotal game this season.  Lose tonight and it’ll be time to start looking for that panic button.  Win, and everything will be forgiven (or at least Blue will still be in the hunt).  Let’s see if the 2025 Bombers have what it takes to once again challenge for Western division supremacy.

Welcome to week 9. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Bombers

There are two big questions to be answered tonight.

Question One

Is Chris Streveler a legitimate CFL quarterback or is it time to move on?  Streveler looked rather decent in the opening game victory against BC but since then, in relief of the injured Collaros (in the last two games) he looked, well, let’s say “rather mediocre”.  If he can’t pass for more than 5 yards and the opposing teams figure out his running ability (which they have), then I’d say his time here is done.  Hopefully he’ll prove me wrong.

Question Two

Uhmmmmm…….do the Bombers have a defence?  Sure, looking at the standings you’d think 166 points against is respectable, it’s in the middle of the pack.  Sounds fine until you realize that they’ve played two fewer games than many teams and one fewer than everyone except the Elks.  In case your math challenged the Bombers are averaging around 28 points against per game.  When you consider that they averaged only 19 points against in the first three weeks, you can see how they’ve been trending in the last 3. Still math challenged? I’ll make it simple.  Here’s their points against for the past 3 weeks (all losses)

Against Calgary 37

Against Calgary 41

Against Toronto 31

Needless to say, the bleeding on D needs to stop.  They need to stop giving up the big plays that have cost them so much in the last three games.  Hence the large number of changes in the Bombers defensive line up this week.

If the Bombers can’t answer these two questions positively at the end of the night then it could be a long season.

Toronto Argonauts

Toronto’s a bit of an enigma.  Without Chad Kelly they’ve seemed kind of rudderless.  Like a rowboat with one oar if your will.  Under Nick Arbuckle’s leadership they’ve ran out to a 2-5 record.  Fortunately for Argo fans, Arbuckle seems to have Winnipeg’s number and he’ll be looking for another winning performance tonight.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	T	Pts	Pts for	Pts Against
West
Saskatchewan	7	6	1	0	12	199	168
Calgary	7	5	2	0	10	202	134
Winnipeg	6	3	3	0	6	150	166
BC	8	3	5	0	6	196	216
Edmonton	6	1	5	0	2	136	191
East
Hamilton	7	5	2	0	10	225	189
Montreal	7	5	2	0	10	191	158
Toronto	7	2	5	0	4	184	206
Ottawa	7	1	6	0	2	148	203

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Hang onto the ball.  Turnovers will kill ya (ummmmm 7 last week)
• Defence doesn’t give up the big play (A boys gotta dream right?)
• Streveler needs to throw a pass of longer than 5 yards once and awhile

For the Argos to win

• Repeat the July 26th 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 18-13 so far this year, 2-4 in Bomber Games.  Here’s this week’s predictions:

I’m thinking the underdogs might just have a week. 

• Calgary over Ottawa (even with a back up QB Calgary is still the better team) (Update: WRONG)
• Edmonton over Hamilton (Elks have to win eventually, don’t they?)
• Montreal over Saskatchewan (Davis Alexander may still be out but Sask is due for a upset)

And in our feature game look for another sellout crowd to fire up the Bombers. 

Bombers 32 Argos 30

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