STREAMING CFL PPV: Calgary Stampeders @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers, July 16, 02:30 CET (2:30 am, 08:30 pm ET July 15)

CFL | American Football | 07/15/2022

Graphic: Igor Lazarevic

WINNIPEG — For the second consecutive week the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will take on an undefeated opponent as they get set to host the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night.

Winnipeg is coming of an impressive 43-22 win in Week 5 over the now 4-1 BC Lions. While the Stampeders scored a 49-6 victory over the provincial rival Edmonton Elks last Thursday, pushing their record to 4-0.

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros showed why he’s a back-to-back Grey Cup champion and the reigning Most Outstanding Player in their most recent win. Collaros completed 23 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns, he’ll look to rekindle that magic again this week against Calgary.

Wide receiver Dalton Schoen looks to continue his stellar rookie campaign. In the win over BC he caught eight passes for a season-high 117 yards and two touchdowns and has accumulated 333 yards through five games.

Playing in just his second CFL game, running back Greg McCrae nabbed three passes for 32 yards and veteran Greg Ellingson had yet another big game catching all seven of his targets for 98 yards and a touchdown.

With additional receiving help from Rasheed Bailey and Drew Wolitarsky, who have combined for 294 yards and a touchdown, it will be a tough assignment for a Stamps secondary that has given up an even 1,110 passing yards through four games.

On the ground the Bombers will likely spread around ball carrying duties after running backs Johnny Augustine, Brady Oliveira and McCrae combined for 123 yards in Week 5. Look for backup quarterback Dru Brown to be called upon in short yardage situations as he scored the team’s lone rushing touchdown.

The Bomber defence also showcased why they are so highly regarded as they held the Lions to a season-low 22 points, well below the 44.6 they averaged the first three games of the season.

Defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, linebacker Donald Rutledge Jr. and defensive back Demerio Houston all intercepted a Nathan Rourke pass. The three picks give Winnipeg eight on the season, tying them with Saskatchewan for the league-lead.

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has been effective when putting the ball in the air to start the year. He has thrown just two interceptions on 126 pass attempts, placing even more emphasis on the need for another strong showing from the Winnipeg defence.

Head coach Mike O’Shea knows his team will need to be on top of their game facing another tough opponent this week.

“They’re a good football team,” O’Shea told bluebombers.com. “Bo’s playing well, their receivers are playing well, they’ve had great protection, they’re running the ball hard, their defence is making plays. As usual, Calgary is a very good football team. They’re well coached, play hard and are prepared.”

Calgary has also done a good job of protecting Mitchell. With an offensive line featuring Derek Dennis, Zack Williams, Sean McEwen Ryan Sceviour and Julian Good-Jones the Stamps have allowed just four sacks. However, they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas against the Bombers who have sacked opposing quarterbacks nine times, trailing only Saskatchewan in the category.

The quarterback pressure has come from all angles. Eight different players have recorded a sack, led by defensive lineman Willie Jefferson who has two after getting through the Lions line last week for his second sack of the season.

Mitchell is coming off a 279 yard, two touchdown performance against the Elks and it was receiver Malik Henry who did the most damage. Henry caught six passes for 150 yards and a touchdown, and his 89-yard scoring play is the longest touchdown connection through the first five weeks of the regular season.

Receivers Kamar Jorden and Luther Hakunavanhu combined for 101 yards in the contest, with Hakunavanhu pulling down the second passing touchdown from Mitchell.

The trio will be back and looking to prove they are one of the top receiving corps in the league as they face a Bombers defence that has surrendered a league worst average of 313.4 yards through the air this season.

The Blue and Gold have been significantly better against the run, holding teams to 66.4 yards per game. They’ll have their work cut out for them with Stamps running back Ka’Deem Carey, who rushed for 104 yards a week ago.

Surprisingly, Carey didn’t have a touchdown, but running back Peyton Logan and backup quarterback Tommy Stevens did. The trio of Stampeders will give the opposing defence lots to game plan for when it comes to the running game.

Logan turned heads on special teams, as well, returning a missed field goal 122 yards for a touchdown and three punts for a total of 29 yards. His effort earned him recognition from the league as a top performer for Week 5.

The Stampeders defence ranks fifth in opposing rush yards (366), seventh in passing yards against (1,100), fourth in sacks (nine) and third in interceptions (seven).

Defensive lineman Shawn Lemon leads the team in the sack category with three, while linebacker Jameer Thurman tops the Stamps in interceptions with two.

Head coach Dave Dickenson knows his team will be in tough on the road Friday night.

“We know it’s going to be a tough environment,” Dickenson told stampeders.com. “They’re a great team. We always go out there and put our work in and that’s what we’re looking to do this week. We have to win our share of one-on-one battles and if we do get beat we can’t let it impact the next play.”

Winnipeg is attempting to move to 6-0 on the season. With a win, Calgary would improve to 5-0 and take over sole possession of first in the West.

AFI, Visaic and the CFL

American Football International is collaborating with Visaic and the Canadian Football League to present 2022 CFL games live. This is more than a livestream. This is a stream of the topflight TSN network television broadcast.

Watch the game live here PPV. Calgary Stampeders @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers, July 16, 02:30 CET (2:30 am, 08:30 pm ET July 15)

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