Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Hamilton October 4, 2024

[gobombersgo]

Nic Demski game-time decision for Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
By John Hodge -October 3, 2024

Canadian receiver Nic Demski will be a game-time decision for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when they visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night.

The 30-year-old native of Winnipeg was a full participant in practice on Tuesday before being limited on Wednesday, according to the team's injury report. He was officially listed as questionable for Friday's game.

The five-foot-eleven, 213-pound target is coming off his best game of the season as he made four catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-27 win over the Edmonton Elks. He has caught 64 passes for 864 yards and five scores this season, putting him only three receptions shy of a new career-high.

The rest of Winnipeg's lineup will remain unchanged for Friday's game in Steeltown, where the Blue Bombers have lost four straight regular-season games dating back to 2018.

The club lost last year's affair at Tim Hortons Field by a score of 29-23 as Tyreik McAllister, who now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders, returned a missed Sergio Castillo convert 126 yards for a two-point score. Zach Collaros shredded Hamilton's secondary for almost 300 yards before halftime, then threw three interceptions in the second half.

Winnipeg won the first meeting between the two teams this season on Aug. 23 at Princess Auto Stadium when Zach Collaros hit Kenny Lawler for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 19 seconds remaining. The offence sputtered miserably until the team's final game-winning drive as Collaros completed only 50 percent of his passes and threw three picks.

The Blue Bombers (9-6) will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-9) on Friday, Oct. 4 with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/10/03/nic-demski-game-time-decision-for-winnipeg-blue-bombers-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/

[gobombersgo]

Ticats rule out star rookies REC Shemar Bridges, RB Greg Bell vs. Bombers
By 3Down Staff -October 3, 2024

Two of the best first-year players in the CFL won't be on the field for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this week.

Receiver Shemar Bridges (quad) and running back Greg Bell (ribs) have both been placed on the one-game injured list ahead of Friday's matchup with Winnipeg. Bridges enters the week sitting fourth in CFL receiving, having caught 83 passes for 933 yards and four touchdowns. Bell has played just six games but has carried the ball 68 times for 395 yards and five touchdowns, adding 25 receptions for 208 yards and another major.

Veteran James Butler will take back over at running back, having rushed 103 times for 498 yards and a touchdown through 10 games, along with 43 catches for 356 yards and another major. Fellow rookie Dezmon Patmon will step into the starting lineup for Bridges, having caught five passes for 63 yards in four previous appearances.

The Tabbies are also expected to be without one of their top pass rushers, as defensive end Nick Usher (ankle) has also been placed on the one-game injured list. The 29-year-old has posted 30 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 15 games this year and will be replaced by newcomer Tim Ward. Defensive tackle Trevon Mason will also draw into the lineup, with Mario Kendricks going to the practice roster alongside Canadian defensive back Patrick Burke Jr.

Centre David Beard was not listed on this week's injury report but has been named a game-time decision. Veteran Canadian Evan Johnson will dress for insurance.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-9) will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-6) on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/10/03/ticats-rule-out-star-rookies-rec-shemar-bridges-rb-greg-bell-vs-bombers/

[northof30]

"the top-two ranked teams in the CFL.ca Power Rankings presented by AMSOIL".

So the second best team in the CFL is the team with the second worst record in the League. Kind of embarrassing for the League I'd say.

[Blueforlife]

"the top-two ranked teams in the CFL.ca Power Rankings presented by AMSOIL".

So the second best team in the CFL is the team with the second worst record in the League. Kind of embarrassing for the League I'd say.

Not embarrassing imo.  It's what makes the CFL great.  Any team can win and it doesn't take that much to go from zero to hero.  Bombers are red hot and Ticats have come on as well.

[Blueforlife]

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/10/02/111th-grey-cup-playoff-scenarios-lions-riders-redblacks-chase-berths-bombers-eye-the-west/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Just heard the Bombers have not won a regular season game in Hamilton since 2017, which is shocking. Perfect time to bust that streak.

[TecnoGenius]

I'm not sure who might be in the consideration at this point. Bonds might be another Bomber in our thoughts but I'm not sure if he's eligible.

Bonds has been ok, but he's currently the weak link.  Often picked on, and many busts / panic catch-ups.

[ModAdmin]

Here are the possibilities for the Bombers and the Winnipeg @ Hamilton game preview...

CFL WEEK 18 PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

    WPG WIN and SSK LOSS = WPG claims division title; earns the right to host the Western Final at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, November 9 at 6:30 p.m. ET
    SSK LOSS or BC LOSS = WPG secures home playoff date
    SSK WIN and CGY LOSS and HAM LOSS = SSK clinches postseason berth
    BC WIN and HAM LOSS and EDM LOSS = BC clinches postseason berth

https://www.bluebombers.com/2024/10/03/game-preview-blue-bombers-at-tiger-cats/

[gobombersgo]

Just heard the Bombers have not won a regular season game in Hamilton since 2017, which is shocking. Perfect time to bust that streak.

Sounds worse than it is. I believe it's a 4 game losing streak in Hamilton.

[TecnoGenius]

Sounds worse than it is. I believe it's a 4 game losing streak in Hamilton.

Well, if you include the '23 GC, add another loss.  But if you include the '21 GC, we've won there in the last 3 years, and vs HAM even!  Need to channel that '21 energy.

This season hasn't matched any historical precedent.  I wouldn't expect this week to be any different.

First we proved BC were posers.
Then we proved SSK were posers.
Then we proved EDM were posers.
HAM may be the biggest posers of them all.

And The Can Mafia are really good at dismantling C.Jones defences: first in SSK, then in EDM, and -- in a couple of days -- in HAM.

[Jesse]

Bonds has been ok, but he's currently the weak link.  Often picked on, and many busts / panic catch-ups.

Secondary is being ask to cover for an extended time.

I'd say the weak link is the DL, not Bonds (imo).

EDIT: And this is knit picking, because our defence is awesome. Younger's scheme just places a lot of responsibility on the secondary and no one can hold off forever.

[Blue In BC]

Bonds has been ok, but he's currently the weak link.  Often picked on, and many busts / panic catch-ups.

Gino Lewis does that to a lot of DB's. Bonds is playing well but he's also being compared to some top players we have in our secondary. I think in all honesty I'd say Alexander is the one being beaten more often.

[blue_or_die]

Yeah, Gino was gonna make some catches when the game was already decided - no doubt. Bonds isn't an all star shutdown corner yet but he's had an impressive first season. We are so good at finding these guys now.

[Pigskin]

Getting BO20 going is the key to our O. So, getting BO20 going early would be nice. No turnovers, and get to Bo early and often.

[bwiser]

Bonds has been ok, but he's currently the weak link.  Often picked on, and many busts / panic catch-ups.

Bonds and Ford have been much better than Houston and Parker were last year. Bonds may be the weakest link back in the secondary but that is mainly because the others are each the best in the CFL at their respective position