The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Ottawa Redblacks meet Thursday in CFL action at the TD Place Stadium. Here’s a Ottawa Redblacks vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Prediction.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Betting Preview
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are coming off a 15-point loss to the Montreal Alouettes in their season opener. The Blue Bombers look to avoid their first 0-2 start since the 2016 CFL season. Zach Collaros is completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 209 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. Dalton Schoen and Drew Wolitarsky have combined for 95 receiving yards on 7 catches, while Nic Demski has 3 receptions. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers ground game is averaging 101.4 yards per contest, and Brady Oliveira leads the way with 38 yards on 11 carries. Defensively, Winnipeg is allowing 18.2 points and 347.3 yards per game. Brian Cole II leads the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with 7 tackles, Tyrell Ford has 5 tackles and Brandon Alexander has 5 tackles.
Ottawa Redblacks Betting Preview
The Ottawa Redblacks are coming off a 4-win season and enter the third season under coach Bob Dyce. The Redblacks haven’t made the postseason since 2018 when they lost the Grey Cup. The Redblacks are in a better position off the bat if quarterback Dru Brown can build on what he did at Winnipeg in a limited role. Brown is completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in 38 games played. In a starter role for the first time, Brown could instantly inject some life into Ottawa if he’s able to build on that production. The Redblacks have returning playmakers in receivers Jaelon Acklin, Bralon Addison and Justin Hardy, so there are no excuses. The Redblacks were solid defensively for much of last season, and now they added Adarius Pickett to go with Jovan Santos-Knox and Frankie Griffin. Pickett was an all star last season and is in the thick of his prime at 27 years old. Time will tell if the Redblacks can end the playoff drought, but there’s enough talent to improve on past seasons that were disappointing.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers Prediction
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the better team on paper and are going to get the benefit of the doubt because of it. The Blue Bombers also had the privilege of getting a game under their belt to knock off the rust. The Ottawa Redblacks have some major changes on both sides of the ball, and it could take time for everything to come together. With that said, the Redblacks are as talented as they’ve been in past years and there should be excitement for this season regardless of where it ends. At home, the Redblacks and the crowd should have some juice in this game and eager to make a statement. Not sure the Redblacks win, but I expect a competitive game.
Give me the Redblacks and the points.