Each week on the Canadian Football League schedule there is a matchup that stands out above the rest—a three-down showdown game, if you will. So we’ll take a look at the main storylines heading into the CFL’s marque matchup and individuals, groups, coaches, schemes or anything else that could affect the outcome.
Four teams across the CFL entered Week 4 at 2-1, two in each division. And both teams in the West with that record square off in Calgary on Saturday night. The winner will stand alone atop the West Division.
The Stampeders have dominated the Bombers at McMahon Stadium since 2002, claiming 11 of the last 12 meetings on home turf. Calgary tries to keep that trend going while Winnipeg focuses on starting a winning streak in Cowtown. There are a number of men that could be difference-makers in Week 4’s showcase game and it’s time to find out who they could be.
Stamps lose more horses up front
Calgary lost starting left tackle Edwin Harrison for the season and right tackle Dan Federkeil for a while if not the rest of the campaign in Week 3. It appears Garry Williams, a first-year CFLer, will get the chance to replace Harrison—he played in 41 games and made 21 starts for the Carolina Panthers from 2009 to 2014. And it looks like Spencer Wilson should kick out from guard to tackle on the right side with Brad Erdos sliding into the right guard spot. Erdos has never started a CFL game.
It’s a reworked first-unit offensive line for Calgary that, if you count the off-season departures of Stanley Bryant and Brett Jones, has lost four starting-calibre big men since winning the 2014 Grey Cup. The Stamps’ player-personnel department, led by John Hufnagel and John Murphy, always seem to find capable players to fill in the holes and produce. But you have to wonder if a group that’s given up a league-high-tying nine sacks and consistently failed to open decent holes for Jon Cornish to begin the year can withstand losing so many key pieces. Winnipeg will provide the first test.
Mano a mano
Speaking of offensive linemen, two-time CFL All-Star Stanley Bryant faces the team he spent the first five seasons of his CFL career with for the first time on Saturday. Big No. 66 signed a free-agent deal with Winnipeg after winning the Grey Cup with Calgary last November.
Bryant will line up across from old teammate Charleston Hughes for the first time in live game action. Calgary’s two-time CFL All-Star pass rusher, nicknamed “Stamp Machine,” will be looking to leave his mark on Drew Willy. The CFL veterans should know each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well, so it should be a must-watch matchup on each Bombers offensive snap.
Speedy Stoudermire returns
Troy Stoudermire looks set to make his 2015 season debut after recovering from a broken right hand that he suffered back in training camp.
Winnipeg’s dynamic return man, who averaged more yards per punt return than Brandon Banks in 2014 (12.5 to 10.3), should provide a special teams boost for the Bombers. Stoudermire played in only seven games last season, but still racked up 1,192 return yards to finish third league-wide.
He should be able to give Drew Willy and co. favourable field position and help Winnipeg’s offence get into the end zone—something they failed to do in their Week 3 win over Montreal. Stoudermire might even get some game reps on offence as he ran routes with the first team during practice this week, working in at the Z wideout receiver spot.
Leaky Blue Bombers secondary
Bo Levi Mitchell and his receivers are likely revved up from watching film of the Bombers defence. Winnipeg has given up a league-worst 332.3 passing yards per game.
Alouettes slotback S.J. Green set a career-high against the Bombers with 180 yards receiving on just six catches a week ago, abusing man-to-man coverage. So look for Stampeders slot receiver Eric Rogers, coming off a six-catch, 114-yard performance, to put up major numbers.