BC Lions tackle Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 99th Grey Cup
When the BC Lions and the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers kickoff at 6pm ET on Sunday, November 27th, it will mark the 99th time the Grey Cup has been awarded in the storied history of the Canadian Football League, laying claim to North America’s oldest trophy.
The Bombers head into the CFL finals as 7-point underdogs to the surging Lions, with the football betting Total sitting at 50.5 in the traditionally high scoring league.
Winnipeg started the campaign red hot, winning 7 of its first 8 games, while the Leos dropped its first five games while beginning 1-6. But since then, it’s been a reversal of fortunes as the Bombers backed into first place in the CFL’s Eastern Division with a 10-8 record. BC has been torrid, winning 10 or its last 11 games to win the west with an 11-7 mark before entering the Western Final last Sunday.
Last weekend, the Blue Bombers used a strong, blitzing defence to crush the visiting Hamilton Tiger Cats’ offence in winning the Eastern Division Final 19-3. In the Western Final, the favored Lions trounced the visiting Edmonton Eskimos 40-23 behind an overwhelming defensive display and strong offensive effort, spearheaded by All-Canadian quarterback Travis Lulay.
Both teams head into this Grey Cup final boasting very strong defences, the Bombers finishing in the top two of most defensive categories. The Lions D allowed the fewest points, and was second to the Bombers in most every other category. The biggest difference is on the other side of the ball. BC has the top quarterback in the country with Lulay, while the Bombers have Buck Pierce as its pivot. Pierce is a former Lion, who was let go because of injury issues before the start of the 2009 season. BC also has two of the best all-time receivers in Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce, while the top offensive line in the league, surrendering a league-low 29 sacks, helped anchor the offence.
Winnipeg won both meetings this year. However, the wins were both accomplished during the first seven weeks of the season, a time when the Lions were struggling and the Bombers were excelling. Things seem to be much different now, mostly with the Lions, hence the favored position.
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