Calgary @ Winnipeg preview
IG Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2018 ) Winnipeg 26, Calgary 39
The Calgary Stampeders look to clinch the West Division title when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday. The Stampeders have dropped back-to-back games for the first time this season, including a 29-24 setback to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 19 to see their lead at the top of the division shrink to two points, but can still secure their third consecutive West Division crown by knocking off the Blue Bombers for the ninth time in their last 10 meetings.
"Everything is in front of us so we'll focus on that and make sure we're ready to go," Calgary coach Dave Dickenson told reporters. "Nothing has changed our focus in what we can accomplish this year." Winnipeg controls its own postseason destiny after notching four consecutive victories before going on its bye week. The Blue Bombers, who have scored 30 or more points in every game during their recent run, shut out the Roughriders 31-0 on Oct. 13 to move on the cusp of earning a playoff berth and can officially punch their ticket to the playoffs by earning their first home win against the Stampeders since 2009. "We're coming together at the right time," Winnipeg linebacker Adam Bighill told reporters. "It's still not done but we're on the right journey and this doesn't end until the end of November."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TSN
ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (12-4): Bo Levi Mitchell completed 18-of-25 passes for 221 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Roughriders to increase his league-leading total to 33. Wide receiver Bakari Grant, who registered a 1,000-yard season with Saskatchewan in 2017, could make his season debut Friday. Calgary added some depth to its defensive line by signing Marcell Frazier, who attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns, to the practice squad while defensive back Tay Glover-Wright was released after appearing in five games over two seasons for the Stampeders.
ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (9-7): Weston Dressler caught two passes for 51 yards and a touchdown against Saskatchewan to move within 27 yards of becoming the 17th player in CFL history to reach 10,000. Winnipeg added wide receiver Kenny Lawler to the practice squad and released defensive end Patrick Choudja while Moe Leggett is doubtful after suffering a leg injury during Monday's practice. The Blue Bombers signed offensive lineman Geoff Gray, who was the eighth overall pick in the 2017 CFL Draft, to a deal that will keep him in Winnipeg through 2020 after spending the last year in the NFL, and the former University of Manitoba product could make his debut Friday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Calgary has won 11 consecutive games in Winnipeg.
2. Dressler has recorded at least one reception in 124 straight games.
3. Stampeders LB Alex Singleton leads the CFL in tackles (107).
PREDICTION: Blue Bombers 24, Stampeders 20