Game Preview: Bombers vs. Ticats

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers make their first trip to Tim Hortons Field this Friday, to take on the hometown Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
It’s a battle of the two top teams in the CFL.  Winnipeg is currently the only undefeated team remaining in the CFL. Not only is this a battle of the top two teams in the CFL, it is also a battle of the top two offences in the league. The Tiger-Cats currently lead the way, scoring 37.4 points per game, while the Bombers are second, scoring 33.8.
Hamilton is coming off their first bye week of the season. However before the bye, they picked up a 30-23 win over the defending Grey Cup champions in a thrilling contest at Tim Hortons Field to improve to 4-1.
Winnipeg had a successful year in 2018, finishing 10-8 and making the playoffs. The Bombers beat the Riders in the West Semi-Final before falling to the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final.
These two teams split their two  meetings last season. Hamilton took the first meeting, 31-17, which took place in Week 3 at Tim Hortons Field.

Jeremiah Masoli was spectacular in that game. Masoli completed 75% of his passes, throwing for 369 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Banks found himself on the receiving end of many of those passes. Speedy B caught 11 passes for 111 yards. Sean Thomas Erlington added 92 yards on the ground, while the newly retired Mercer Timmis found the end zone twice.
On the defensive side of the ball, Simoni Lawrence led the Ticats with seven tackles. Both Lawrence and Adrian Tracy sacked the quarterback as well.
In the second matchup, Winnipeg was able to hold on for a 29-23 win. Masoli and Banks were terrific again in this contest. Contributing with both his arm and his legs Masoli threw for 251 yards and a touchdown and added 80 yards on seven carries. Banks caught six passes for 108, including a 15 yard touchdown pass at the end of the third quarter.
Lawrence led the way again for the Ticat defence, this time with eight tackles. He also recovered a fumble that was caused by Cariel Brooks.
Masoli and Banks have picked up right where they left off last season. Masoli has thrown for 1517 yards, he also sits second in the league with nine touchdown passes. Speedy B leads all receivers with 506 yards, 127 yards ahead of Edmonton’s Greg Ellinson who’s in second.

While we’re on the topic of league leaders, this would be a good time to talk about the Hamitlon pass rush. The Ticats currently sit atop the CFL with 18 sacks on the year. Free agent signing Ja’Gared Davis is proving to be worth every penny. So far, he has been nothing short of spectacular, leading the team with four sacks. When he’s not sacking the quarterback, Davis has been a huge factor in stopping the run, he currently sits fourth on the team with 20 tackles. He has also forced and recovered a fumble this year.
The Ticats and Davis will have to lean on that run stopping ability this week. Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris led the league in rushing yards last season with 1390. Harris also led the CFL with 11 rushes over 20 yards. He’s gotten off to another hot start this season, currently sitting third in the CFL with 378 rushing yards.
Sticking with the run defence, Nick Shortill will get the start at will linebacker this week, as Simoni Lawrence serves the first of his two game suspension after it was up held last week. Head Coach Orlondo Steinauer says that, while Shortill will get the start and see the bulk of the reps, the Ticats will “stay multiple” in order to supplement the loss of Lawrence. Steinauer says he feels confident in his Canadian linebacker.
“He doesn’t make repeated mistakes out there. We’re pleased with him. Robin’s (Ross) done a great job with him, and Simoni has done a good job getting him prepared.”
Both Davis and Shortill will be key in limiting Harris’ production this week, which would go a long way to improving to 5-1.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night at Tim Hortons Field.