Lions vs Blue Bombers Week 21 Picks and Predictions: Winnipeg’s Starters Flex Muscles in Finale

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Week 21 in the CFL begins on Friday with a clash between the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

This is Winnipeg’s final vote before they host the Western Division Finals on November 13, while BC will host the Western Semifinals on November 6.

Betting on the final week of the CFL regular season is always tough, but there’s an angle I like here with my top free CFL tips and Lions vs Blue Bombers predictions.

The best odds for Lions vs Blue Bombers

Lions vs Blue Bombers tips and predictions

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It’s going to be a strange handicap week in the CFL with every playoff spot already set in stone. The Lions are guaranteed a playoff home date with the Stamps next weekend, while the Bombers have been in first place since the Elks stomp in Week 18.

They actually played the Lions the following week, and with the top seeds already packed, they put several players, including Most Standout Player favorite Zach Collaros, and three starters on their offensive line. They lost that game 40-32 but got a solid performance from young backup QB Dru Brown while their defense kept the Lions to just 138 passing yards.

Although this was an important game for the Lions, they barely won at home when TJ Lee scored on a 102-yard interception return when the Bombers were on the goal line and ready to tie it. Now they have nothing left to play and will probably focus more on keeping players healthy for next weekend.

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As for the Bombers, I expect they will play most of their starters. By dropping a bye in week 19 and seeding key players, they don’t run the risk of these guys rusting up if they don’t get game time for more than a month.

Additionally, wide receivers Greg Ellingson and Drew Wolitarsky are back in practice after a lengthy absence through injury, and Winnipeg head coach Mike O’Shea wants them to get back up to game speed before being thrown into a playoff contest.

@Wpg_BlueBombers offensive session begins with Zach Collaros in QB. Ellingson and Wolitarsky in, Demski here, but without a helmet. Eric Lofton at LT. — Ed Tait (@EdTaitWFC) October 24, 2022

Collaros and studs like Stanley Bryant, Jermacus Hardrick, Jackson Jeffcoat and Deatrick Nichols might not play the full game, but they should start. That made me support the Bombers in the first half.

my best bet: Blue Bombers first half -2 (-114 at BetRegal)

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Spread Analysis Lions vs. Blue Bombers

The Bombers are coming off a bye after losing that meaningless Week 19 showdown. Before that, they defeated the Elks 48-11 to give them a league-best 14 wins.

The Bombers have won the last two Gray Cups with essentially the same roster and are currently +125 favorites versus Threes. This is a very strong team on both sides of the ball and they lead the league in both touchdowns scored (60) and touchdowns allowed (31).

The Lions have the second best record in the league at 12-5. The Leos lead the CFL in net offense (390.7 yards per game) and tie second with the Bombers in net defense (330.1 ypg allowed), but have seriously declined in both areas since becoming Superstar QB Nathan Rourke lost to a foot injury in week 11.

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Rourke returned to training two weeks ago and has upped the activity but remains in doubt for the season finale or even the playoffs. Even with a healthy Rourke in Week 5, the Lions were butchered by the Bombers at BC Place, losing 43-22.

Regardless of how these teams best compete, the depth and choice of who they rest or play against will likely be the biggest factor on Friday.

Lions vs. Blue Bombers Over/Under Analysis

Collaros leads a Winnipeg attack that has averaged 32.8 points per game since Week 5. Even with Collaros and three beginning offensive players sitting out in Week 19 (and RB Brady Oliveira barely playing), Winnipeg still rushed for 399 yards against BC.

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Meanwhile, the Bombers’ defense is keeping their opponents at a league-low 21.2 ppg and appearing to be getting tougher at IG Field in front of their home fans. However, the defense was not quite as dominant as in the last two seasons.

Winnipeg’s stop unit is bottom in the league with 34 sacks and has conceded the second-most average yards on first down (6.9), but they’ve done an excellent job of tightening up on their own end and when needed came up with big moves.

Vernon Adams Jr. was solid in QB for the Leos, but their offense is a lot less explosive without Rourke and they got thrashed at receiver as well. Their two best wideouts, Bryan Burnham and Lucky Whitehead, have been absent through injury for the past few weeks and are unlikely to be pushed back onto the field for the finals.

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Lions vs. Blue Bombers game information

Lions vs Blue Bombers key injuries

lions: Nathan Rourke QB (doubtful), Lucky Whitehead WR (doubtable), Obum Gwachum DE (doubtable), Quincy Mauger DB (doubtable), Josh Banks DT (doubtable), Philip Norman LG (doubtable), Jalon Edwards-Cooper DB (doubtable) , Delvin Breaux Sr DB (Aus), Bryan Burnham WR (Aus), Steven Richardson DT (Aus).

Blue Bombers: Greg Ellingson WR (doubtful), Drew Wolitarsky WR (doubtable), Nic Demski WR (doubtable), Stanley Bryant LT (doubtable), Jermacus Hardrick RT (doubtable), Jackson Jeffcoat DE (doubtable), Nick Taylor DB (doubtable), Malcolm Thompson DB (Doubtful), Malik Clements LB (Doubtful), Demerio Houston DB (Out), Kyrie Wilson LB (Out).

Find our latest CFL injury reports.

Lions vs Blue Bombers weather

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