CFL Pass

Field goals keep Winnipeg’s playoff hopes alive

News, BC Lions, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Last week, field goals cost the Bombers a game against Edmonton. This week: An entirely different story.

Lirim Hajrallahu missed four field goals a week ago so while he kept his job as Winnipeg’s punter, Sergio Castillo made his CFL debut and became the hero with a last-second field goal.

After the first half, it looked like Jabar Westerman’s BC Lions were going to cruise to another victory on the back of Jonathon Jennings.

Jennings has renewed “The Manny Show,” too. Manny Arceneaux has accumulated 12 catches, 288 yards, and four touchdowns over the past two games so the Lions are suddenly faced with a tough decision. Next week against Edmonton, will it be Jennings or Lulay, who is ready to return? I’m not envious of Jeff Tedford, the man faced with *that* decision.

Tedford’s decision may have gotten easier, as the second half wasn’t the cakewalk the first thirty minutes were. Winnipeg stormed back from a 14-point deficit to keep their playoff hopes alive and well. The defense helped Matt Nichols and the offense with two interceptions and six sacks (Jamaal Westerman now has 14!) while Clarence Denmark led Winnipeg with six catches for 60 yards and score.

The win gives Winnipeg the season series but the Lions have a game in hand. Neither BC nor Winnipeg has an “easy” schedule (i.e. no games left against Saskatchewan) so it’s just going to come down to which team wants it more. The nice guy in me wants to see Winnipeg have a shot at the big game in their own stadium but the realist in me says either team is just going to hit a brick wall in Alberta when the West Semi-Final rolls around…

– written by Travis Currah