The Stampeders face a daunting task playing a Winnipeg Blue Bombers team that excels at home and is coming off a blowout loss in Calgary.
The Stampeders face a daunting task playing a Winnipeg Blue Bombers team that excels at home and is coming off a blowout loss in Calgary.
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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a load at home on any given football day.
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Their ridiculously successful record on their own field the last four-plus Canadian Football League campaigns is proof of that.
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But throw in a pinch of motivation — such as the vengeance they’re likely to have on their minds over being dominated two weeks ago at McMahon Stadium — and the Blue Bombers are potentially fuelled to bring even more bite than usual to play the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
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“Yeah … I call it a challenge,” said GM/head coach Dave Dickenson, with a chuckle, looking ahead to the rematch between his Stampeders (4-1) and the Blue Bombers (3-1) on Friday at Winnipeg’s Princess Auto Stadium (6:30 p.m. MT, TSN, CHQR 770 AM/107.3 FM the Edge).
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“It’s a super big challenge.”
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How big?
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The Bombers boast an eye-popping 31-5 home record dating back to the return of league games following the COVID pandemic.
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Included is a 2-0 mark so far this season, after 34-20 and 36-23 victories over the BC Lions and Edmonton Elks, respectively.
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“I mean … we understand what they’re about,” continued Dickenson. “But we’re going to focus on ourselves. Just make sure we show up, play a solid game where we don’t make mental errors and play with poise and understand taking care of the football is priority one.
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“If we do those type of things, we kind of let the result take care of itself.”
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That was the case when the Stamps surprised the Bombers two weeks back in the Stampede Bowl.
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The Red and White got out of the gate fast and did nearly everything right in riding to a 37-16 stampede of the five-time division kings.
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“Of course we don’t expect them to like us (after that game),” said Stamps quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. “But that’s another great opponent coming up for us— you know … five-time West (Division) champions.
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“And they’re at home — sold-out crowd — and they’re coming off a bye, so they’re going to be fresh and ready to go. So we’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game.”
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VENGEFUL BOMBERS OR GALVANIZED STAMPS?
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Ah … yes … the Bombers coming off a bye week doesn’t make it any easier for the Stamps heading into The ’Peg.
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It’s an extra week to help Winnipeg determine what went wrong at McMahon Stadium …
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Although they don’t usually need any added motivation, given their penchant for bounce-back football.