Bombers' 33-21 win over Ottawa tightens West Division race with Stampeders
Winnipeg's victory leaves Calgary with a game in hand but a game behind in a tightening West Division playoff picture.
Why it matters
The outcome tightens the West Division playoff race, directly affecting the Calgary Stampeders' postseason chances.
Brady Oliveira rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown and added 80 receiving yards as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers beat the winless Ottawa Redblacks 33-21 at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday, improving to 5-4 on the season.
The result matters in Alberta because it affects the West Division standings involving the Calgary Stampeders. Winnipeg now sits a game ahead of both the B.C. Lions (4-5) and the Stampeders (4-6), with Calgary holding a game in hand. Recent Bombers losses to B.C. and Calgary had put Winnipeg's playoff position in jeopardy before Friday's win.
Oliveira also moved further up the CFL's all-time rushing list, reaching 6,212 career yards to pass Jon Cornish and sit 22 yards behind Willie Burden for 20th place. Quarterback Zach Collaros returned from a four-game absence with a neck injury, throwing for 222 yards despite being sacked a season-high four times, including a blindside hit that briefly forced him from the field.
Ottawa fell to 0-9, extending a losing streak that now stretches to 15 games dating back to last season, surpassing the 1994 Shreveport Pirates' mark. Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier threw for 314 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.