Lions at Bombers Aug. 3, 2023
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2023 11:20 am
For the second time this year, the Lions go into Winnipeg on a short week and try to upset the Bombers on a Thursday night after shutting out Edmonton on the previous Saturday. Deja vu? That would be nice for the Lions, but the stakes are much bigger this time, and thus so is the challenge. A B.C. victory would give the Lions the season series and open a four-point lead over the Bombers atop the West Division. A Winnipeg victory would even the season series and pull the Bombers into a first-place tie with the Lions at 6-2.
The Lions have had great success defensively this year by shutting down opposing teams on the ground and preventing deep passes, forcing teams to throw into the teeth of the secondary and withstand pressure from B.C.'s pass rush. Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira was limited in the previous game against the Lions after being a game-time decision due to injury. He rushed 3 times for 21 yards on the Bombers' opening field-goal drive but had just 7 carries for 31 yards for the rest of the game. The Lions will be without arguably their most valuable defensive lineman Josh Banks (hamstring) for the rematch. American Marcus Moore has been activated from the practice roster for the first time but undersized 245-lb. national Nathan Cherry is listed as the starting nose tackle.
In their previous meeting, the vaunted Winnipeg offensive line looked flat-footed all night, surrendering 7 sacks, as Mathieu Betts and the Lions throttled Zach Collaros and the Bomber passing attack. I don't think I've seen the Bombers look so physically unprepared for battle as that game. I expect a much stiffer challenge this time. The The Bombers will have WR Kenny Lawler in the lineup this week as a sure-handed deep threat. Slotback Dalton Schoen was limited in practice but is listed as a starter, giving Collaros a full arsenal of weapons to challenge the B.C. secondary.
Matt Baker summarizes the personnel changes and roster in his excellent game preview:
https://www.bclions.com/2023/08/01/game ... bombers-3/
The Lions have had great success defensively this year by shutting down opposing teams on the ground and preventing deep passes, forcing teams to throw into the teeth of the secondary and withstand pressure from B.C.'s pass rush. Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira was limited in the previous game against the Lions after being a game-time decision due to injury. He rushed 3 times for 21 yards on the Bombers' opening field-goal drive but had just 7 carries for 31 yards for the rest of the game. The Lions will be without arguably their most valuable defensive lineman Josh Banks (hamstring) for the rematch. American Marcus Moore has been activated from the practice roster for the first time but undersized 245-lb. national Nathan Cherry is listed as the starting nose tackle.
In their previous meeting, the vaunted Winnipeg offensive line looked flat-footed all night, surrendering 7 sacks, as Mathieu Betts and the Lions throttled Zach Collaros and the Bomber passing attack. I don't think I've seen the Bombers look so physically unprepared for battle as that game. I expect a much stiffer challenge this time. The The Bombers will have WR Kenny Lawler in the lineup this week as a sure-handed deep threat. Slotback Dalton Schoen was limited in practice but is listed as a starter, giving Collaros a full arsenal of weapons to challenge the B.C. secondary.
Matt Baker summarizes the personnel changes and roster in his excellent game preview:
https://www.bclions.com/2023/08/01/game ... bombers-3/