Ottawa (2-1) at Winnipeg (0-4)
When: Friday, July 5th 2024
Where: IG Field,
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Time: 8:30 ET | TV: CFL+
Opening Odds: Winnipeg -2/47
It’s been a nightmare start to the 2024 season for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and they’ll look to finally get in the win column when they host the Ottawa RedBlacks on Friday night. Winnipeg dropped to 0-4 with a 22-19 overtime loss at the Calgary Stampeders last weekend and are averaging a league-worst 18.5 points a game. They are also dead-last in both passing yards and total yards. Ottawa is coming off a 24-22 home win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats thanks to a walk-off field goal.
Despite being winless through four weeks, the Blue Bombers are 2-point home favorites to get their first win, with a total pegged at 44.5. This is already the second meeting of the season between these teams, with Ottawa winning 23-19 at home in Week 2. The RedBlacks easily covered as 7-point underdogs and are now 2-1 ATS for the season. The Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings and all four Winnipeg games have fallen below the total this season.
After starting the season as a +200 favorite to win the Grey Cup, the Bombers enter Week 5 at +900. Ottawa began the season with the longest odds at +2000, but their 2-1 start has catapulted them to +1200, ahead of both Hamilton (+5000) and Edmonton (+5000).
OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Lewis Ward, who had missed two extra points, redeemed himself with a 46-yard walk-off field goal to win the game last week against Hamilton. It was Ottawa’s first win against an East Division opponent at TD Place since November 2018. Dru Brown completed 24-of-39 pass attempts for 265 yards and a touchdown. The RedBlacks rank in the bottom third of the league in average total yards (350.0), passing yards (265.0) and points (22.7) per game. Defensively, they surrender the most yards (402.7) and the third-most points per game (29.3).
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Zach Collaros has really struggled this season and finished with just 55 passing yards and one interception in last week’s loss to Calgary. He left the game in the first half after taking a hard hit and is doubtful for Friday’s game. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player has thrown for 796 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions while posting a 62.3 completion percentage. Backup Chris Streveler, who threw for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception last week, will likely get the start this week.
Prediction:
I know the Bombers are struggling, but they should have no trouble with this Ottawa team after losing to them in Week 2. The RedBlacks two wins came against teams with a combined 0-8 record and their loss was a blowout to the Als. I say Winnipeg gets their first win and cover this week.
