In Streveler they trust

OTTAWA — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are facing a seemingly must-win situation and, for the second consecutive week, the task of righting the ship falls to quarterback Chris Streveler.

With starter Zach Collaros ruled out for a second straight game due to a head injury, Streveler is once again at the helm as the Bombers look to snap a three-game losing streak and regain their footing in the tight West Division playoff race.

The Bombers, currently sitting at 6-7, are in a precarious position. The team that has been a model of consistency and winning for the past few years is suddenly staring at the possibility of missing the playoffs entirely.

The feeling in the locker room is palpable: Saturday’s game at TD Place is one they need to have, especially facing an Ottawa Redblacks club that is 4-9 and last place in the East Division.

“In my mind, every game is a must-win football game,” said Bombers receiver Nic Demski. “You go out there to compete, be 1-0 every week. Obviously, where we are right now, I think it’s very crucial to win this football game.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea has been quick to defend Streveler, who has faced criticism from some fans wondering why the club hasn’t considered third-string quarterback Terry Wilson for a look.

Wilson signed with the Bombers ahead of the 2024 season and attempted just one pass last year, completing a four-yarder in a Week 17 win over the Elks last season. The 27-year-old also saw action in the Grey Cup, substituting in for a few plays while Collaros tended to an injured finger.

“What’s it going to take? I don’t know,” O’Shea said when asked about Wilson getting a chance to play. “Those are good questions. The guy who’s tabbed as your starter gets the bulk of the reps, bulk of the opportunities, and the other guys work their asses off behind the scenes.”

For O’Shea, the choice is simple, pointing to Streveler’s track record and unique energy he brings to the huddle.

“The one thing you know about Chris that you don’t necessarily know about other people is that we know he’s going to lead and he’s going to lay it on the line,” O’Shea said. “He’s going to put his body on the line every single play for these guys. So, that just makes the decision easy.”

Streveler’s teammates also have his back.

Demski, who is elevated to the club’s No. 1 target after Dalton Schoen was ruled out for the season with a knee injury, put his confidence in the veteran quarterback. He also noted the game isn’t all on one player and that Streveler’s up-and-down play this season is reflective of the way things have gone for everyone, as several players try to find their groove.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, just kind of like how this whole season’s been,” Demski said. “I have a lot of trust in Chris. I know he’s a playmaker out there. I know he’s a great leader. So, I’m with him.”

This will be Streveler’s third start of the 2025 campaign.

He led the team to a win over the B.C. Lions in the season opener and another victory over the Toronto Argonauts in early August. However, his last start was a frustrating one, a 32-21 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week.

Despite throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown, Streveler also had two costly interceptions. He took ownership of the turnovers after the game but will need to do a better job protecting the ball this week.

Streveler is confident with the work he’s put in during practice and is ready to put that on display against a physical but not overly dominant Redblacks defence. Ottawa ranks near the bottom of almost every defensive statistical category.

“This is not a job where you clock in, clock out,” Streveler said. “This is a job where I am thinking about this constantly and guys on this team are thinking about it constantly. I wake up and I’ve got ideas, and it’s just something you can’t turn off. But that’s why I love this game, and that’s why I love this position, because of the preparation.”

While Streveler’s performance against the Ticats had its ups and downs, his dual-threat ability was on full display. He ran the ball 11 times for 82 yards and a touchdown, showcasing the kind of unique skillset that makes him a tough matchup for opposing defences.

Streveler is at his best when he can utilize both his passing and rushing skills, and the Bombers will need a full dose of that against the Redblacks this week. Since his rookie season in 2018, Streveler has rushed for more than 1,600 yards and has racked up 36 touchdowns.

“They fight, they make some plays on defence, so we got to come out and execute,” Streveler added. “They’ve been in some tough games lately, some close games.”

The Bombers’ three-game losing skid has been a collective failure, not just an offensive one. The defence has given up crucial plays, and the team has struggled with turnovers.

Winnipeg is last in the CFL in turnover ratio and interceptions. This is an issue Streveler and the entire team are focused on fixing.

“It’s just about focusing on our work and what we need to do and putting all of our energy into that,” Streveler added. “It’s understanding whatever we need to do to get a win, whatever that takes… we have guys that are willing to do that.”

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca