Bombers’ D ready to make a difference

You see it in hockey all the time when a hot goalie steals a playoff series.

What about football, can a stout defence do something similar at the most important time of year?

“Oh, guaranteed. We feel like we can change the game,” said Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones after Tuesday’s practice at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We got the guys to go out there and force a fumble or get an interception. We just feel as a defence we can get the ball back a lot more times to our offence to go help them get more points if they are struggling.”

That might be the recipe for a Bombers (10-8) victory Saturday when they’re in Montreal to challenge the Alouettes (10-8) in the East division semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff).

Struggling has been a common theme for the Bombers’ offence in 2025. It ranks seventh in points per game (23.1) and eighth in turnovers committed with 45.

Meanwhile on defence, the Blue and Gold held the opposition’s attack to 21.4 points per game which is the best mark in the entire CFL. That number is even lower since Labour Day (17.8 points per game).

“We have to have our offence’s back. We might be out there a couple more plays, but at the end of the day, we have no problem doing that,” said Jones.

“I love being on the field. Any time we get the chance to be out there and make an impact, I want to be a part of the impact.”

Jones and Co. will have to make an even larger impact if the offence is without star receiver Nic Demski. Last week, head coach Mike O’Shea said he expected the Winnipegger to suit up for the opening round of playoffs but Demski (who suffered a hamstring injury on Oct. 11) hasn’t practised since.

He was wearing his uniform but didn’t participate in any drills on Tuesday. O’Shea declined to give a health update on the pass catcher.

The Bombers are at the bottom of the league in passing (235 yards per game) and it’ll be that much harder if Demski isn’t 100 per cent.

It could be a busy afternoon for his pal, running back Brady Oliveira.

“We’re going to have to find maybe some different ways to win games throughout this stretch of going in the East and trying to make it back home,” said Oliveira. “I look forward to the challenge, obviously to help lead this team to victories these next couple of weeks. And if that needs to happen from the run game, then let’s do it. But we have a lot of weapons on this team, where I have full confidence that we can get it done on the ground and in the air.”

Oliveira and the offence will need to get into the end zone any way they can to keep up with the Als. With star quarterback Davis Alexander under centre, Montreal is a perfect 7-0 this season.

Alexander, who has completed 72 per cent of passes for 2,024 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions, has on;y 11 passing attempts in two relief appearances against the Bombers in his four-year career.

“What stands out to me about him is just his competitiveness. I really like the level which he competes at. It doesn’t really matter what the play is, he’s gonna bring it every snap,” said Bombers pivot Zach Collaros.

“Obviously there’s a reason they decided to go with him a year back when they had a great quarterback there in Cody Fajardo.”

“TOUGH TO WATCH”

Zach Collaros’s face said it all.

Collaros looked incredibly concerned from the sidelines when Chris Streveler went down in Saturday’s meaningless regular-season finale against the Als with a non-contact leg injury.

O’Shea wouldn’t share any info regarding Streveler, but all signs point to it being a serious setback. It’s the same leg Streveler tore three out of four ligaments in last year at the Banjo Bowl.

“I was heartbroken,” said Collaros. “It’s hard to put into words. I’ve been talking to him the last couple days and just there’s not really anything you can say to make it better. I just love Chris, and everybody loves Chris, but I get to work very closely with him, day in and day out. So I understand his work ethic and how much he cares about this sport and how much he cares about this organization and his teammates.

“So it was very tough to watch.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca