TORONTO — We thought a home-and-home that went Winnipeg’s way solidified the team with the advantage between these two but we were wrong. The Lions have taken care of business since and secured home field advantage which could loom large. CFL.ca looks at which team has the advantage at each major position heading into Sunday’s Western Semi-Final in Vancouver.
Quarterbacks
Matt Nichols revived the Bombers this year while Jonathon Jennings has taken the next step in his sophomore season. Both have been key to their teams being successful but the 24-year-old Jennings is more explosive and can also get it done with his legs.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Running backs
The Lions have the country’s best rushing attack but the Bombers have one of the league’s best all-around backs in Andrew Harris. The dual-threat Harris can do it all and will be a player to watch in the Western Semi-Final.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
Receivers
The Lions’ offence has its own Team 100 with Bryan Burnham and Emmanuel Arceneaux – quite possibly the CFL’s second-best duo of receivers. Add Terrell Sinkfield’s speed and that group is a handful for any secondary.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Offensive line
Antonio Johnson and Jovan Olafioye bookend one of the CFL’s most dominant offensive lines, the same one that’s paved the way for the league’s number one rushing attack. Winnipeg’s front five has progressed this season but the Lions get the nod.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Defensive line
Alex Bazzie is unstoppable at times while Mic’hael Brooks is an imposing figure in the middle, helping the Leos rank 2nd in the CFL with 50 sacks. The Bombers on the other hand have struggled to generate pressure while Jamaal Westerman’s sacked only 8 QBs.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Linebackers
The Bombers have a very active group of linebackers led by Ian Wild, Maurice Leggett and Khalil Bass, but it’s hard to argue with Team 100. You can’t simply avoid Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill while Loucheiz Purifoy can make plays too.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Defensive backs
While the Lions have done a nice job overcoming injuries to their defensive backs, Winnipeg boasts the CFL’s number one secondary and it’s not particularly close. That unit has forced a league-high 29 INTs. The next closest team? Hamilton with 17.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
Return game
Bombers rookie Kevin Fogg has been electric but there’s word he may not play. In the end, it’s hard to imagine BC wouldn’t have the advantage anyway – not with Chris Rainey lining up to return kicks. Rainey is just about untouchable in the open field.
ADVANTAGE: BC
Kicking game
It’s hard to weigh place kicking against punting. The Lions have the best punter in Richie Leone but face questions when it comes to FGs, while Justin Medlock is as good of a place kicker there is. It’s hard to ignore the fact that a 46-year-old Paul McCallum could be a deciding factor.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
