Jason Helstead/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The Eskimos are surging and it couldn’t be a better at a better time. The Bombers gutted out a victory over Calgary in their regular season finale, down their starting quarterback, starting safety and no. 1 receiver. Both teams have been bitten hard by the injury bug at different times. So, how do two teams that have gone in opposite directions over the last month stack up against one another? Well, it could come down to who is the most healthy come Sunday.
CFL.ca breaks down who has the edge in the Western Semi-Final position by position.
Quarterbacks
No storyline will be more explored this week than the health of Matt Nichols. Injured and out of the lineup for the Bombers’ last game in Calgary, he is supposed to be ready to go. His health, combined with the fact that Reilly is playing his best football of the year, gives the Eskimos the edge under centre.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Running backs
Given the year that Andrew Harris had, one would assume this was a lock for the Bombers but CJ Gable has done nothing but produce in his short time in Edmonton. Along with helping in pass protection he is averaging over 5 yards per carry and would have been on pace for over 1,600 yards had he played in Edmonton’s offence all year.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Receivers
The Eskimos have the league’s leading receiver in Brandon Zylstra. They also have Derel Walker, Adarius Bowman and Vidal Hazelton. The health of Winnipeg’s Darvin Adams is very much in question and that combined with the peak production of the Eskimos pass-catchers gives the edge to Edmonton .
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Offensive line
The Bombers offensive line has been healthy and unified all year. It assisted in getting Andrew Harris to 1,000 yards and has kept Nichols clean, allowing only 38 sacks. That’s no slight on Edmonton’s O-line, which has also done a nice job. Anchored by 6-foot-11 guard Matthew O’Donnell, that unit has helped Mike Reilly set a new franchise record for passing yards (and take the fewest sacks in the CFL) while paving the way for C.J. Gable.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
Defensive line
This could be the most evenly matched position group between these two teams. They tied for third in the league in sacks with 44 and have dominant pass rushers on both sides. The play of Tristan Okpalaugo down stretch for Winnipeg has been impressive and Almondo Sewell is a bull stopping the run for the Esks.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Linebackers
Jovan Santos-Knox has put in a strong rookie season, while Sam Hurl has at least held his own at middle linebacker. The question is at SAM, where Kevin Fogg replaces one of the CFL’s top defensive players in Maurice Leggett. The Eskimos have overcome injuries all season and with Kenny Ladler, Adam Konar and Korey Jones, that group could cause problems for the Bombers’ offence. Ladler is simply outstanding.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Defensive backs
These teams boast two the premier shutdown units in the CFL. The addition of Aaron Grymes midway through the year bolstered an already stingy Edmonton secondary. But the Bombers contain two athletic DBs – Chris Randle and TJ Heath — that have a knack for making game-changing plays when the game is in the balance.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
Return game
Jamill Smith had a solid Week 20 on specials for the Eskimos as he tries to solidify himself as the primary option in the Edmonton return game. That said, Kevin Fogg has been consistently putting the Bombers in good field position over the last number of weeks and has finally broken a pair.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
Kicking game
Sean Whyte returned after a lengthy injury last week and was 2/2 including a boot from 49 yards. Justin Medlock seems to be back on track after a mini slump in October. Field position will be paramount in this game and so too will timely kicks. Few have been more clutch than Medlock when the game is on the line which gives Winnipeg a slight edge.
ADVANTAGE: WINNIPEG
