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Edmonton Eskimos (10-8) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-10)

Saturday, November 8 - 1pm et/10am pt on TSN and TSN HD


Go to the West Semi-Final Match-up Page

Eskimos Team Page | Roster Blue Bombers Team Page | Roster

Season Series

WEEKDATERESULTBREAKDOWN
14Sep 26Edmonton 23 at Winnipeg 30Recap | Boxscore
15Oct 4Winnipeg 22 at Edmonton 36Recap | Boxscore

Schultz Against The World: This game could go either way, but I was so impressed with the play of Ricky Ray last week against Montreal. I have never seen a quarterback that can stay as calm as he does no matter if he's up by 20 or behind by 20. In a playoff game it can be the difference between winning and losing. Looking at the last two games for the Bombers, I do not put much emphasis in their last game against Hamilton. The Ticats were just going through the motions, but the one-point win over Montreal when the Alouettes were at their best says a lot. Can Winnipeg establish Reid and Smith? More...

When the Blue Bombers have the ball

Passing Game: Kevin Glenn has not had his best year but the second half has been better than the first. He may have finished the season with over to 3,600 yards through the air, but it does not instill confidence when your touchdown total (20) equals your interception total (20).

Running Game: If you had said at the start of the season the Bombers would be playing this game without Charles Roberts, one would think their chances would be slim. But the tandem of Fred Reid and Joe Smith has played a big role in the Blue Bombers' limited success.

Receiving Game: In the receiving corps, the Bombers do not have any players among the leaders in yardage but they are one of only two teams to have three receivers in the 1,000-yard club (Romby Bryant, Terrence Edwards and Derick Armstrong). When you add in Arjei Franklin and future Hall of Famer Milt Stegall, you have the makings of a formidable air attack.

Offensive Line: Up front, the play of last year's Most Outstanding Lineman Dan Goodspeed has earned him another nomination this year.

Special Teams: Alouettes' cast-off Jason Armstead leads the league in punt returns, having brought back two for touchdowns this season. Kicker Alexis Serna has had an inconsistent year to say the least. If the game comes down to a field goal, there will be some nervous fans at Canad Inns Stadium.

Eskimos' Defence: The Eskimos have had difficulty stopping the run this season but the secondary has fared better. When the ball goes in the air, only three things can happen and two of them are bad. The Eskimos are proof of that, having allowed the fewest completed passes and picking off 20 opposition throws. The late-season return of veteran Fred Perry should help the pass rush that has managed 30 sacks.

Jock Climie says the Bombers win if... they get pressure on Ricky Ray. When the Roughriders manhandled the Eskimos in Week 18, it was largely due to their ability to disrupt Ray's timing and take away the time he needs to throw the deep ball. Having finished third in the league in sacks, the Bombers are capable of applying the needed pressure. Offensively, Winnipeg will need to get their ground game up and running if they are to be successful. The one-two punch of Smith and Reid must be firing on all cylinders. Not only will this eat up valuable time and allow the Bombers to sustain drives, but it will allow for Glenn to use play action which was once a Bomber trademark but has sadly dropped from their list of "things we do really well." Armstrong, Bryant, Edwards and Stegall may be the league's most dangerous receiving corps but if Glenn doesn't buy himself some time in the pocket using play action, it just won't matter.


When the Eskimos have the ball

Passing Game: Ricky Ray is undoubtedly among the best passers in the league today and proved it again this year by leading the way in yardage with 5,661. He's the key to any post-season success for the Eskimos.

Running Game: Another year goes by with the Eskimos' severely lacking in a rushing attack. A.J. Harris emerged as the feature back early but Canadian Calvin McCarty seems to have supplanted him of late. Ironically, when the Eskimos outgain their opposition on the ground, they win.

Receiving Game: After years of struggling to find his niche, Canadian Kamau Peterson has found a connection with Ray. He joined the 1,000-yard club this season along with rookie speedster Kelly Campbell. The loss of Jason Tucker to a serious neck injury early in the season has been a tough one to overcome, both on and off the field.

Offensive Line: Run-blocking is not a strength of this group but the emphasis is on the passing game anyways. If they can keep Ray on his feet, they are doing their job.

Special Teams: Tristan Jackson has ignited the fans at Commonwealth Stadium on many occasions this season, returning two punts and one kick-off for touchdowns. Kicker Noel Prefonatine has been solid if not spectacular taking over for fan favourite Sean Fleming.

Blue Bombers' Defence: As much as the offence has struggled this season, the defence has provided few answers. Giving up close to 400 yards per game, the passing game is the weaker of the two aspects which has Ricky Ray licking his chops.

Jock Climie says the Eskimos win if... Ricky Ray can get into rhythm in the passing game. Rhythm for Ray means a steady dose of Peterson underneath, Campbell over the top and McCarty out of the backfield. The Esks short passing game is an effective substitute for the running game that went AWOL earlier in the season. Ray is so accurate that his swing passes, five-yard out patterns and six-yard hitches have kept them out of second-and-long all season. Defensively, Edmonton will need to play with passion and urgency. When playing on the road, it is critical that the defence fly around and maintain the energy level necessary to quiet the crowd and punish the opposition. Players like Barrenechea, Shabazz and Perry must play inspired football if the Eskimos are going to become the first-ever cross-over team to move on to the East Final.
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