On A Wing and A Prayer
After an abbreviated work week featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers blowing their march to claim the July Grey Cup with a 20-17 loss to the BC Lions, the CFL comes back on stream with a full contingent of games.
Last week the Bombers blew a 17-0 lead over the Lions through a combination of excessive confidence in their ability to pull off short yardage situations with Chris (The Shriveller) Shreveler and turning the ball over in inopportune moments. That combination gave the BC Lions who turned to Travis Lulay, the spark they needed to salvage a win and keep their “Win One for Wally” campaign alive and well.
While the win was much needed by the Lions, it may have been a bit more expensive than anticipated with linebacker Solomon Eliminian out for six weeks with a wrist injury. The Lions defense played particularly well, dominating the line of scrimmage in crucial third down goal line situations, but also benefiting from the ability to quarterback a defense that Eliminian brought to the team.
The Lions now take their show on the road where they are 0-2 for the season to date and go to Ottawa who fell the flattest of the three losing teams last week in a 27-3 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. The Redblacks wanted to use the game as a measuring step for taking steps forward as a franchise and perhaps shaking off their 500 and sub 500 season record the last few seasons.