CFL East semifinal preview: Argonauts offence faces robust check vs. Blue Bombers

The Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to fulfill with a visit to the CFL East closing on the road.

The Argonauts (9-9) host the Blue Bombers (9-9) on Saturday within the East semifinal, with each groups seeking to prolong their seasons and transfer one step nearer to the Grey Cup.

Toronto enters the post-season seeking to capitalize on home-field benefit, whereas Winnipeg brings loads of playoff expertise below head coach Mike O’Shea. The Bombers have been one of many CFL’s most constant groups over the previous decade, however they’re going to must discover a solution to win on the street to maintain their championship hopes alive.

Here’s a capsule have a look at the sport:

Saturday, 1 p.m. ET 10 a.m. PT at BMO Field in Toronto.

The Argonauts are a 4.5-point favorite on BetMGM.

The forecast for BMO Field on Saturday is usually sunny and delicate with a excessive of 14 C and a really low likelihood of rain.

The winner advances to Montreal to face the Alouettes within the CFL’s East closing on Nov. 7.

The Argonauts and Blue Bombers break up their two regular-season conferences. Both video games have been in Winnipeg.

Their first matchup noticed Winnipeg come away with a 30-21 victory, highlighted by a 129-yard missed-field-goal return landing from CFL Special Teams Player of the Year Trey Vaval.

Toronto responded with a 30-28 win of their second assembly, overcoming a deficit behind explosive passing performs from quarterback Chad Kelly.

Kelly related with CFL Rookie of the Year Tyler Kahmann for a 56-yard landing and Damonte Coxie for an 84-yard main because the Argonauts rallied for the victory. Special groups additionally performed a job, with Janarion Grant and David Ungerer III combining on a punt return that helped arrange the profitable discipline aim.

With each groups having demonstrated a capability to generate explosive performs in opposition to each other, Saturday’s matchup might as soon as once more come all the way down to which aspect makes essentially the most of its alternatives.

Winnipeg has established itself as one of many CFL’s most constant playoff groups below head coach O’Shea. The Bombers received back-to-back Grey Cup championships in 2019 and 2021 and have commonly been a part of the championship dialog.

The Argonauts have loved loads of post-season success of their very own, together with Grey Cup championships in 2022 and 2024. Both of these victories got here in opposition to Winnipeg, giving Toronto some current bragging rights within the matchup.

The two groups now meet in a unique setting, with no championship at stake simply but. Instead, the loser will see its season come to an finish, whereas the winner strikes on to face Montreal.

Blue Bombers QB Dru Brown vs. Toronto’s defence

The greatest storyline heading into Saturday is the change at quarterback for Winnipeg.

With Zach Collaros sidelined by injured ribs, Brown will get the beginning within the East semifinal, taking up the offence within the greatest sport of the season to this point.

Brown confirmed he can deal with the duty in final Friday’s victory over B.C. After Collaros exited late within the third quarter, Brown accomplished the sport with two landing passes to assist safe Winnipeg’s playoff spot.

He additionally brings beginning expertise and familiarity with the Bombers’ offensive system. However, taking up for a two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player in an elimination sport on the street presents a a lot completely different problem.

Toronto’s defence will look to make life troublesome for Brown early, making use of strain and forcing him to make fast choices. The Argonauts will need to take away the straightforward throws and make Winnipeg maintain lengthy drives.

Brown does not essentially must do something spectacular, however he might want to defend the soccer and reap the benefits of alternatives once they current themselves.

Blue Bombers RB Brady Oliveira vs. Toronto’s defensive entrance

The well being of Oliveira is one other concern for Winnipeg.

The star operating again was listed as questionable with an ankle damage on Thursday, however was in his standard place atop the depth chart on Friday.

Oliveira is a vital piece of Winnipeg’s offence due to his capacity to create yards after contact and take strain off the passing sport. The Winnipeg native’s presence is especially beneficial with Collaros out.

Toronto will look to make issues troublesome for the Winnipeg floor sport and drive the Bombers to depend on their passing assault.

If Oliveira can set up himself early, Winnipeg might have a a lot simpler time controlling the tempo. If he is restricted, the duty will fall on the remainder of the offence to seek out one other solution to generate manufacturing.

Argos QB Chad Kelly vs. Winnipeg’s secondary

Toronto’s offence could have a significant alternative to reap the benefits of Winnipeg’s quarterback uncertainty.

Kelly has the power to stretch the sphere and create explosive performs, one thing he demonstrated within the Argonauts’ second assembly with the Bombers.

His connections with Coxie, Ungerer, Kahmann and the remainder of Toronto’s receiving corps give the Argos loads of choices to assault Winnipeg by means of the air.

The Bombers might want to restrict these huge performs and make Kelly work by means of longer drives quite than permitting him to seek out fast strikes downfield.

Generating strain additionally will likely be vital. If Winnipeg can disrupt Kelly’s timing and drive him to make fast choices, it might make life far more troublesome for the Toronto offence.

However, if Kelly will get time to function and finds his rhythm early, the Argonauts have the offensive firepower to place Winnipeg on its heels.

Winnipeg’s defensive entrance vs. Toronto’s offensive line

The closing matchup to observe is how Toronto’s offensive line handles Winnipeg’s defensive entrance.

The Bombers have veteran playmakers able to creating strain, led by Willie Jefferson and Jake Ceresna. Their capacity to disrupt the pocket could possibly be crucial in opposition to a Toronto offence that wishes to ascertain its passing sport.

Kelly’s capacity to make performs downfield is dependent upon having sufficient time to work by means of his progressions.

Toronto might want to hold the Bombers’ move rush below management whereas additionally creating alternatives for its operating sport. If Winnipeg can persistently get into the backfield, it might drive Kelly into uncomfortable conditions and swing momentum.

For the Bombers, this is a chance to make their presence felt early and take away considered one of Toronto’s greatest offensive benefits.

Argonauts 31, Blue Bombers 24