CFL Week 10 Recap: Bombed

November 20, 2021. That was the last time that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lost a game; 13-12 against the Calgary Stampeders. September 27, 2019. That was the last time the Blue Bombers lost a home game, a 33-13 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. On Thursday, August 11, 2022, the defending back-to-back Grey Cup Champions saw their 11-game winning streak (dating back to last year's playoffs) come to an end in immensely shocking and strange fashion, and it came on their home turf against the Montréal Alouettes.

This was the second meeting in as many weeks, and after the first quarter, it was scoreless. Honestly, that opening frame alone started to set the tone for this game. The Als found the end zone first, but the Bombers tied it with a TD of their own, and that's how the first half ended: with the teams tied at seven. It was 10-10 after three quarters, and the Bombers took the lead 17-10 in the fourth quarter. However, the Als tied it late, but the Bombers had a chance to win it with a field goal, only for the kick to be horrendously shanked. Overtime saw the Als strike first with a field goal, giving Winnipeg a good chance to win it. They ended up having to settle for a field goal, but that kick bounced off the right upright...and out. The Blue Bombers lost, 20-17, at home against the Alouettes, who clearly pulled off the upset of the year.

Friday saw the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats face off for the second straight week, and it was a game that saw the Boatmen in control for the most part...until they weren't. The TiCats produced big time late in the game, and as a result, they even the score in the season series, winning 34-27. The Boatmen's woes in Hamilton continue, and there are two meetings remaining in the season, including the annual Labour Day contest.

Saturday was all about the West Division, beginning with the Calgary Stampeders hosting the BC Lions. The game was an important one, as second place in the West was on the line, and Calgary was in full control. BC would change that--vastly--even managing to score their final nine points in a very quick span, capped off by a game winning field goal with only two seconds left. The Lions won 41-40, but the province of Alberta wasn't done, as the Edmonton Elks hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and this was a close battle that the Elks actually had a chance of winning. Unfortunately, it ended up getting away from Edmonton. Penalties, big plays, and turnovers went in the Riders' favor in the end, and after all was said and done, the Riders won, 34-23, competing a bad night for Alberta's franchises on their home turf.

So after ten weeks, here's how things stand. The CFL still has never had a perfect team, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are now 9-1 with their home loss. The BC Lions are closing in on the Bombers, as their win improves them to 7-1, while the Calgary Stampeders fall to 5-3. The Saskatchewan Roughriders end their losing skid and improve to 5-4, while the Edmonton Elks drop to 2-7 and fall three games behind the Riders for the crossover position. The Bombers and Lions have two meetings left in their season series, but they have to wait until October to play them; Week 19 (in Vancouver) and Week 21 (in Winnipeg).

In the East Division, the Toronto Argonauts remain in first place, but they are now 4-4 with their loss. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montréal Alouettes are tied for second place at 3-6, and the idle Ottawa Redblacks remain 1-7. Hamilton and Montréal picked up ground in the East with their victories, and their race for second place in the East continues to be intriguing as the season reaches the halfway point.

Week 11 features doubleheaders on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19. Regarding the Friday games, the Ottawa Redblacks will host the Edmonton Elks, and it's followed by the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the BC Lions. The Saturday doubleheader kicks off with an immenstly vital East Division matchup between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montréal Alouettes, and it's followed by the Toronto Argonauts hosting the Calgary Stampeders. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be off that week, so they will take that extra week to reflect on their first loss of the season and prepare for Week 12.

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