Official Game Day Thread - Ottawa @ Winnipeg, August 14, 2026

[Jesse]

You probably would start by evaluating if they've improved in the areas that they've been struggling with so far this year.

a) Can they take a lead into the half? They've trailed 4 out of 5 games at Princess Auto Stadium so far.
b) Can they keep Collaros upright?
c) Can they limit the big play? That is a real mood-killer in the stadium.
d) Can the Bombers score TDs in the red zone? FGs give instant field position to the other team for very marginal gain.

Great list. I think d) is really important. We've often put up yards between the 20s but our failure to score TDs is the biggest problem with this team, imo.

[Pigskin]

Great list. I think d) is really important. We've often put up yards between the 20s but our failure to score TDs is the biggest problem with this team, imo.

Agree more 7s less 3s. We have to start being more aggressive in the red zone. Take a few chances and gamble a bit more.

[blue_or_die]

This is my puzzle! If the Bombers win small or big how do we evaluate the game knowing we are playing the worse team in the league. If we win small then have we improved? If we win big against a team that has not won a game then have we really improved?

While a win is a win at least in IMHO a win no matter how big or small will not tell me much, however a loss will definitely tell me something!

I came here to say this more or less. If we win, it's simply expected (as it should be). If it's a loss to an 0fer team at home though? YIKES things will be rock bottom (as it should be).

I'm hoping we get your best case scenario and just blow them up. We don't learn anything but at least we can have hope for next game.

You probably would start by evaluating if they've improved in the areas that they've been struggling with so far this year.

a) Can they take a lead into the half? They've trailed 4 out of 5 games at Princess Auto Stadium so far.
b) Can they keep Collaros upright?
c) Can they limit the big play? That is a real mood-killer in the stadium.
d) Can the Bombers score TDs in the red zone? FGs give instant field position to the other team for very marginal gain.

And this is a very good answer. I'll be looking for these as well. I'd like to see both domination and resilience when we make a mistake instead of a complete implosion.

I want to see us have some balls tonight and play to win

[Tecno]

This will sound weird, but OTTs a decent team. On paper they look good. In games they are usually keeping things close. They can move the ball well, even get TDS.

What happens is someone, usually maier, will make a bad mistake, and as soon as they go down 10 the whole team gives up. They have a chronic case of here we go again syndrome. And it's bad.

If we can go up 2 majors at any point then they will roll over. If you keep them in the game until the end, it's anyone's game.

[Tecno]

GO BLUE!

[Jesse]

This will sound weird, but OTTs a decent team. On paper they look good. In games they are usually keeping things close. They can move the ball well, even get TDS.

What happens is someone, usually maier, will make a bad mistake, and as soon as they go down 10 the whole team gives up. They have a chronic case of here we go again syndrome. And it's bad.

If we can go up 2 majors at any point then they will roll over. If you keep them in the game until the end, it's anyone's game.

And this is the problem with us kicking short field goals all the time. We keep teams in games until they inevitably pull ahead.

Like blue_or_die mentioned, we just need to show some balls.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Strev is on the CJOB pregame show again, is he a member of the broadcast crew now?

[Pigskin]

Strev is on the CJOB pregame show again, is he a member of the broadcast crew now?

He was on OB this morning. Just a great personality and so entertaining.

[Pigskin]

Any word if this is a sell out.

[Jesse]

Any word if this is a sell out.

lol, we didn't even get a 30k announcement.

[gobombersgo]

It'll be over 31000.

The team is lucky they have a great season ticket base to work with.

[gobombersgo]

From the Blue Bombers:

Brady Oliveira will be active for tonight's game.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

lol, we didn't even get a 30k announcement.

To quote Kavis Reed, "there will be consequences".

[Jesse]

Well, on my way to the game. I'm hoping for a big game from Zach. Probably means less targets for Pokey and more for Demski and Neild. I want to see Brady used in the passing game but not lined up way the heck out at the far side of the field. And I don't want to see Castillo.

[gobombersgo]

Well, on my way to the game. I'm hoping for a big game from Zach. Probably means less targets for Pokey and more for Demski and Neild. I want to see Brady used in the passing game but not lined up way the heck out at the far side of the field. And I don't want to see Castillo.

Those intermediate passes to Nield were working at the beginning of the season. Hopefully they can rekindle their chemistry.