VANCOUVER — The BC Lions will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they continue to battle for playoff positioning in the West Division standings.
With a decisive win over the Edmonton Elks in Week 18, the Blue Bombers secured homefield advantage and will host the Western Final from IG Field.
The Lions, meanwhile, are trying to rebound from a 23-20 loss to the Toronto Argonauts that kept them in a tie with the Calgary Stampeders for second place in the division standings.
RELATED
» Depth Chart: WPG | BC
» Blue Bombers, Lions Injury Reports: Stay up to date
Entering the Week 19 matchup from BC Place, it will not be Zach Collaros under centre for Winnipeg as they get set to take on the Lions.
According to the depth chart, Dru Brown will make his first start in the CFL after being named as the team’s starting quarterback, with Dakota Prukop is listed as the No.2. While Collaros is listed on the Winnipeg depth chart, it is not likely that the pivot will see any snaps in Week 19.
Both Brown and Prukop saw action under centre in the team’s Week 18 win. Brown completed a 65 yard touchdown pass in the game, while Prukop completed both of his attempts for 61 yards and a touchdown of his own.
Brown has completed five of his seven passing attempts this season for 127 yards and two touchdowns and has shown to be a threat with his legs. The Bombers quarterback has served in short yardage situations, carrying the ball 17 times for 25 yards and three majors.
In a team media session earlier this week, Winnipeg offensive coordinator Buck Pierce expressed his faith in Brown leading the Bombers offence, but noted that the quarterback doesn’t have to win the game by himself.
“Understand that you don’t have to go win the football game on your own,” Pierce told BlueBombers.com. “It’s all the same things you would say to a quarterback: Trust your eyes. You don’t have to be perfect. Try and control what you can control and that’s putting our offence in position to score points, whether that’s running or throwing. Your job is to help us get into the end zone and take care of the football.”
While he won’t have to win the game by himself, Brown will need to be aware of an aggressive Lions defensive unit. BC allows Lions allow the fewest yards per game, surrendering an average of 326.4 yards and are third best at keeping their opponents out of the end zone, allowing just 22.1 points a game.
The Bombers will also need to place an emphasis on protecting Brown in the pocket and allowing him time to throw. The Leos boast one of the best pass-rushes in the league and have sacked opposing quarterbacks 40 times this season, trailing only Calgary.
Winnipeg rookie receiver Dalton Schoen will be among those looking to help provide offensive production for his quarterback. In Week 18 Schoen recorded a career-high 162 yards performance, adding three-touchdowns to an already impressive outing.
In his last three games Schoen has recorded at least 125 yards in each game and has caught 17 of his 26 targets for 445 yards and four touchdowns, while averaging 26 yards per catch.
On the ground the Bombers should have an opportunity to build on what has been a steady stretch for running back Brady Oliveira.
The Winnipeg back is second in the league with 919 rushing yards and has reach at least 50 yards on the ground in eight of his last nine games. The Winnipeg back added 61 yards and a rushing touchdown, while adding another 47 yards and a touchdown in the receiving game.
Defensively, the Bombers have been impressive all year, ranking in the top half of both passing and rushing yards against per game. They’re also fourth when it comes to average yards allowed per play at 6.2. This week will provide yet another test as the Lions offence features numerous high-end playmakers.
Defensive lineman Willie Jefferson and his seven sacks will set his sights on Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and disrupting the flow of their offence. On the season, Leos quarterbacks have been sacked 33 times, and the Toronto Argonauts managed to sack Adams three times in the Week 18 matchup.
The Bombers may be prepping for the playoffs with their fate decided, but the Lions are trying to secure second place in the West Division.
In Vancouver, there was buzz surrounding star quarterback Nathan Rourke, who made his return to the practice field for the Lions. However, it was be Adams who starts under centre in Week 19 as Rourke continues to work his way back from injury.
Despite the loss to Toronto, Adams threw for over 250 yards and two touchdowns in the teams 23-20 defeat. Since joining the Lions Adams has completed 76 passing attempts for 1,025 yards and four touchdown passes, throwing two touchdowns in each of his last two outings.
Dominiques Rhymes will have an opportunity to regain the league-lead in receiving yards in Saturday’s contest against Winnipeg. The BC receiver has 1,241 yards this season and trails Winnipeg’s Schoen by just 35 yards entering Saturday.
Despite facing a solid secondary in the Blue Bombers, Rhymes has proven to be difficult for any defence to contain. In his first meeting with the Bombers, Rhymes reeled in six of his eight targets for 136 yards and two scores.
The outcome of the game very well could come down to each teams play on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions are the best in the league when it comes to defending the pass, allowing just 254 yards through the air. While their run defence is giving up just 89.9 yards on the ground.
The Lions had three sacks a week ago and entering Week 19 will once again look to be aggressive and take advantage of Brown in his first start. However, the Bombers offensive line has been one of the best at keeping their quarterback clean this season, giving up just 25 sacks.
In a team media session earlier this week, BC defensive lineman Woody Baron displayed confidence in his group and felt that his unit had put in the work throughout the week of practice.
“It’s been a good week, I think we’re excited,” Baron told BCLions.com. “I think we’re prepared for this weekend. There’s a lot of stuff we took from our previous game when it comes to x’s and o’s. You’re opponents very and there’s a ton of talented teams but there’s only a handful of things we can control, like our preparation and effort that comes from us primarily.”
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.