Lions look to get back on track vs. lowly Bombers
Well, the BC Lions can safely say that their effort in Week 5 against the banged up Toronto Argonauts was a low point of their season so far.
The Lions got soundly beaten in every aspect of the game by an average defense and an offense that started a backup quarterback and backup running back!
This week BC is back at home and will be looking to take their frustrations out on a Winnipeg team that has lost three straight games and will be starting their own backup quarterback.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-4) vs. BC Lions (3-2)
Date/Time: Monday, August 5, 7:00 PM ET
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver BC
Broadcast: TSN
Bombers vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bodog
Winnipeg Blue Bombers +11 -110 Ov 48 -110
B.C. Lions -11 -110 Un 48 -110
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been truly underwhelming so far this season but at least a little clarity has come out of Bombers camp this week – Justin Goltz, who played OK in relief of the way-too-oft-injured Buck Pierce has been handed the starting role for the rest of the season, assuming that the offensive line can keep him healthy!
Goltz passed for a couple of scores in a loss last week against Calgary, although he completed just 19 of 35 passes and was picked off three times.
He will certainly have his hands full against the best defense in the CFL this week. BC is on a different level and they will be motivated to avenge what was an uncharacteristically unflattering outing last week.
The Winnipeg defense has been a bit of a sore spot all season long. They are coming off an outing in which they gave up 37 points and no team has scored less than 25 on the Bombers all season long.
Lions face off against the Bombers on Monday night. (Photo: Google)
Winnipeg allowed Calgary’s third string QB, Bo Levi Mitchell, 376 yards passing and three touchdowns last week in his first ever start in the CFL – OUCH! They also allowed the Stamps, as a team, over 100 yards rushing in that contest.
The Lions look like they are in a good place to right the ship offensively this week – and based on last week’s performance Travis Lulay and the boys need a soft defense to gain back a little mojo!
The Lions offense was bad last week in Toronto – just 12 points against a team that was without their starting QB and RB.
We’ll get to the defense later but let’s take a look at the offense first
It was all Paul McCallum field goals last week – the offense was unable to generate any sort of momentum and was held without a touchdown against Toronto’s average defense.
Travis Lulay converted 20-of-29 for 226 yards, but had one pass picked off and was sacked three times while Nick Moore was the only really noticeable pass catcher generating 116 receiving yards in the win.
The offense, as a whole, is a lot better that they showed last week – look for Lulay to spread the ball around and get every one of his weapons involved.
One area the Lions don’t have to worry about is their rushing attack. Andrew Harris was BC’s best player by far last week generating a game-high 107 rushing yards on 16 attempts.
He was, and continues to be, a bright spot for BC and should have his way again this week against an inferior Winnipeg defense.
As for the Lions defense – they allowed Zach Collaros to throw three TD passes and they allowed Curtis Steele 74 yards rushing and two TDs on the ground.
Who? Exactly – when backups are able to light up one of the best defenses in the game you know it is not your night!
Another sign that last week was a write-off?
BC, who had 21 penalties combined in the first four games of the season, had 13 penalties against on Tuesday night alone! I can’t see that happening again.
Dave B’s Free Won’t Cost You Anything Week 5 Prediction
Betting Prediction: A few trends to consider:
• Winnipeg is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
• Winnipeg is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Winnipeg’s last 6 games on the road
• Winnipeg is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games when playing British Columbia
• The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Winnipeg’s last 16 games when playing British Columbia
The BC Lions are a whole lot better than they showed last week, and at home they are likely to take their frustrations out on the Bombers.
Not a whole lot went right for the Leos Tuesday and to a man – they vow to be better.
The Bombers have lost three straight games and are seemingly in disarray at the moment – they are definitely ripe for the picking.
On paper this game is no contest – I expect that to translate to the field as well. BC beats up on the Bombers and sends Winnipeg home with their tails between their legs!
Pick: BC Lions -11
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