Calgary Stampeders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Preview
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to McMahon Stadium to face the Calgary Stampeders on June 29, scheduled to kick off at 4:00 pm. The Blue Bombers are winless in 2024 having lost their first three games of the regular season.
Calgary earned a surprising victory in their season opener before losing to the BC Lions in week two. Can Winnipeg squash their goose egg or will Calgary pile on the misery for last year’s Grey Cup runners-up?
Calgary Stampeders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in October 2023 for their final regular season games. Both teams had their foot on the brake having already confirmed their places in the postseason. The Blue Bombers ran out deserved 36-13 winners at McMahon Stadium on that day.
Calgary played Winnipeg on two other occasions in the season, in weeks five and 11. The first meeting of 2023 came at IG Field in July. Both sides established a good run game, but Winnipeg’s nous through the air was the difference maker and helped them to a 24-11 victory.
Neither team’s offence was able to score a touchdown in their week 11 meeting. Winnipeg defensive back Demerio Houston was the only man able to take the ball into the endzone when he intercepted Jake Maier’s pass and completed a 45-yard return. Calgary settled for field goals but was strong defensively. Rene Paredes’ missed kick deep into the fourth quarter prevented them from taking home the win and the Blue Bombers edged past them 19-18.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have had a disastrous start to the season in 2024. After coming agonizingly close to winning the Grey Cup last year, there was hope that coach Mike O’Shea’s team could go one better this season. However, they are now 0-3 in the regular season, starting with a defeat at the hands of Grey Cup favourites Montreal Alouettes. They followed up with a disappointing performance against the Ottawa Redblacks, losing 23-19.
Winnipeg remained winless following their 26-24 loss to the BC Lions last week. The twelve-time Grey Cup champions entered the game even lighter than usual. O’Shea’s team has been plagued by injuries with the defence the most heavily impacted. The effect this has had on their season so far was clear at Princess Auto Stadium.
They allowed 398 yards through the air with Lions’ wide receiver Alexander Hollins claiming an incredible 215 receiving yards. Despite their offence playing well, the Blue Bombers could not keep BC out and allowed 505 overall yards.
Calgary enjoyed a victorious opening day of the season when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Despite their offence scoring just two touchdowns, a strong run game allowed them to find strong field positions and secure field goals. Dedrick Mills finished with 87 rushing yards. Rene Paredes capitalized every time he was called upon, scoring all six of his field goal attempts, helping the Stamps to a 32-24 victory.
They had less luck in their second regular season game. The Stamps played the BC Lions, buoyed by their performance in the last game but lacking the quality to earn a win. Calgary quarterback Jake Maier had a strong game but was frequently let down by his offensive line.
He passed for 339 yards but was sacked four times. The Lions capitalized on the strong field position they were found in through Maier’s lack of protection. Calgary’s defence could not stop Alexander Hollins and Justin McInnis’s excellent partnership with VA, allowing them 97 and 91 receiving yards respectively. The game finished 26-17 to the Leos and Calgary was left licking their wounds.
Calgary Stampeders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Prediction
Correct score prediction: Calgary Stampeders 18-24 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg have had some terrible luck so far this season. Their roster is nowhere near the level their position in the West division would indicate. The defensive line has been depleted since the season began, severely affecting their progress. Celestin Haba, Miles Fox, Tyjuan Garbutt, and Cam Lawson have all spent time on the injury list.
However, their injury woes have started to lessen, and their depth chart look stronger with Deatrick Nichols returning. Their offence is strong and with a stronger defence on Saturday, our football prediction is for the Bombers to earn their first win of the season.
The Blue Bombers’ offence looked strong in their last contest against the BC Lions. Zach Collaros put up 247 passing yards with Nic Demski and Drew Wolitarsky catching for 94 and 72 respectively. They also have a great running game. Brady Oliviera, Chris Streveler, and Johnny Augustine combined for 102 yards in that game. Calgary is a weaker team than the Lions and Winnipeg can find another gear to see them off on Saturday.
“We’re off to a start we weren’t expecting, but we’re going to turn it around."
48-Hour Primer 📝 » https://t.co/boPnjLkINX#ForTheW pic.twitter.com/KRBOZ2rEpN
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 27, 2024
The Calgary defence has shown some glaring weaknesses in their first two games of the year. They have allowed 589 yards through the air in that time. They have also allowed 241 yards on the ground, including 156 in their season opener. Dave Dickenson’s team will struggle against a side that can cause issues in all areas of their offence.
The Stamps are no pushovers going forward. Jake Maier has impressed so far, notching up 591 passing yards in two games. They were also impressive with their run game in week one. Dedrick Mills finished with 87 rushing yards and B.J. Emmons, Jalen Philpot, and Tommy Stevens chipped in for 117 overall on the day. However, the performance of their offensive line is worrying. They have allowed five sacks already this season. Calgary could be in trouble again as Winnipeg’s defence starts to take back its shape.
However, while Winnipeg received a huge boost when Deatrick Nichols returned to training this week, their receivers have started to drop. Dalton Schoen and Keric Wheatfall are injured and out for the Calgary game. This is a huge blow to Collaros, who is already without Kenny Lawler after he broke his arm in week one. The Blue Bomber’s will be run heavy in this game.
Calgary Stampeders vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Betting Picks
A bet on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is worth -182. The visitors may be in poor form, but things should finally come together in Calgary. Winnipeg was unlucky to leave without a result against the BC Lions and this Calgary side is significantly weaker. They are still among the Grey Cup favourites in the CFL betting and this can kickstart their season.
Winnipeg defeated the Stamps in all three of their contests last season. They covered this game’s spread in two of those meetings. Our online sportsbook has set the spread at 3.5 and we think the visitors can cover. They covered this line in all but one of their regular season games last season and with their roster nearly back to its best, they can do so again here. Wager on them to cover at -116.
Calgary is averaging 120.5 rushing yards surrendered per game this season. The Blue Bombers have been strong in the running game, scoring six rushing touchdowns in three games and averaging around 78 yards per game. Chris Streveler has been excellent as a red zone option, scoring four times on the ground. Football betting markets are favouring him to score yet again on Saturday. We like a bet on him to score a touchdown at -220.
Chris Streveler was selected as the @PeakoftheMarket Performer of the Game for last Thursday's game, receiving the most votes from the fans! #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/tgeh9CYVSC
— Winnipeg Blue Bombers (@Wpg_BlueBombers) June 9, 2024
Part of what has made the Blue Bombers’ rushing strong is the shared duties. Brady Oliveira is RB1 but Johnny Augustine and Streveler have had plenty of carries between them. Oliveira’s rushing yard line is set at 79.5 yards. As strong as Winnipeg is, those shared duties hamper his yardage. They will probably focus heavily on rushing with Schoen out and will need to keep Oliveira healthy and share his carries. He is yet to hit the over on this line. Back the under on this player prop, worth -115.
Although a few of Winnipeg’s injured players have returned to training, they are not guaranteed to start. Their absences are the reason for their poor form so far and Calgary has a better chance of winning if they are forced to sit out again. It could be beneficial to wait for the game to start, assess lineups and then look at the live betting markets before your wager.
Calgary Stampeders Team News
Defensive lineman Kwadwo Boahen is still carrying a back injury and will not appear on Saturday. Bentlee Sanders and Kelon Thomas are both questionable in the injury report with shoulder injuries. Nick Statz, Trevon Tate, and Tre Dukes all had healthy scratches and are available for selection against Winnipeg.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Team News
Dalton Schoen and Keric Wheatfall are on the six-game injured list with knee injuries and are out for this game. Deatrick Nichols appeared in full practice on Wednesday and will return.
Souleymane Karamonko missed practice through illness though should be well enough to return against Calgary. Celestin Haba, Cam Lawson, Miles Fox and TyJuan Garbutt remain on the six-game injured list/
