Two of the league’s top offenses will collide in the West Division final between the visiting BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday.
The Bombers went 14-4 to win the West Division for the third straight year, while the 12-6 Lions were in second place and will visit Winnipeg in the West final for the second straight season.
Winnipeg won the West final 28-20 last year but lost to the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup final.
Saturday’s winner will play in the Grey Cup final Nov. 19 in Hamilton, Ontario, against either Toronto or Montreal.
The Blue Bombers, with quarterback Zach Collaros and running back Brady Oliveira, have the CFL’s most potent offense overall and the best ground game. The Lions, with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., own the top passing attack and the third-best offense overall.
Both teams also excel on defense. Winnipeg has the top defense in yards and points allowed. The Lions are second in yards allowed and fourth in points allowed.
“If you’re not ready for this, you’re in the wrong business. The two best teams in the West, going toe-to-toe, in the best environment in the CFL … It’s going to be awesome,” Blue Bombers offensive lineman Pat Neufeld said Thursday. “We’re expecting their best, expecting them to empty the chamber and throw every shot they have at us. We’re going to stand there, toe-to-toe with them, and throw everything we’ve got back at them. It’s going to be a great game for the fans, a great atmosphere, and I can’t wait till kickoff.”
Winnipeg won two of the three regular-season games against BC this year and had a bye for the first playoff round.
“We’ve seen these guys three times,” Lions coach Rick Campbell said. “They have multiple good players and they’re a veteran group that’s been around and a coaching group that’s been around.”
The Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 41-30 in the West semifinal on Nov. 4 in Vancouver.
Adams won his first playoff game and set a team playoff passing record with 413 yards.
Winnipeg listed receivers Dalton Schoen (ankle), Nic Demski (ankle) and Rasheed Bailey (knee) among the players who are questionable for Saturday.
Listed as out for BC were defensive back Jalon Edwards-Cooper (shoulder), linebackers Jack Hinsperger (head/shoulder) and Ben Hladik (knee) and running back Kienan LaFrance (triceps).
–Field Level Media