Published Oct 15, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Thought the Winnipeg Blue Bombers had blown their shot at second place in the CFL West with last week\u2019s loss in Edmonton?<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Think again.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Thought the Bombers were at least guaranteed a playoff spot?<\/p>\n Think a little more.<\/p>\n No thanks, says offensive lineman Pat Neufeld.<\/p>\n \u201cI have no idea what\u2019s happening, standings-wise,\u201d Neufeld was saying on Wednesday. \u201cIt\u2019s far too complicated for my simple brain. All the numbers and different scenarios. I\u2019m sure there\u2019s a lot of people that have put time into figuring that out, but not us simpletons in this room.\u201d<\/p>\n Neufeld prefers simple football X\u2019s and O\u2019s, not the spread sheet of possibilities CFL statisticians have produced to cover all the playoff possibilities.<\/p>\n He can\u2019t fathom the worst-case scenario, though, that would come as a result of a four-way tie for second through fifth place between the Bombers, B.C., Calgary and Edmonton.<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cTry not to,\u201d Neufeld said. \u201cI remember (missing the playoffs). It\u2019s not something that is pleasant. Think optimistically about what we\u2019re going to do and channel that energy into having a great game against Sask.\u201d<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how that worst-case scenario could play out. All four teams could be tied at 9-9. The tiebreaker would be the head-to-head records among the tied group.<\/p>\n The Bombers would be 3-4, which would leave the five-time defending West champs out in the November cold.<\/p>\n Willie Jefferson can\u2019t fathom it, either. He\u2019s also never seen such wild, potential swings so late in the regular season.<\/p>\n \u201cNever. Not with me,\u201d the veteran defensive end said. \u201cThe only time it\u2019s been close was in \u201917 when I did the cross-over in Sask.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n That\u2019s the most likely possibility for the Bombers: A fourth-place finish and cross-over playoff spot in the East.<\/p>\n But a more unlikely combination of other teams winning and losing could throw a wrench into the probabilities.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n ‘Big cleats to fill’: Blue Bombers without Demski for Riders tilt<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SptsWB1_NeufeldFatBald-scaled-e1756432548572.jpg\")
Offensive lineman Pat Neufeld is big on looking at the CFL standings. Photo by Kevin King \/Winnipeg SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.7.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-wsun-new.svg\"){kind=logo}
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