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<\/p>\nJust imagine how difficult the task is for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers through this weekend and the days that follow.<\/p>\n
First, they get handed a scalpel and a bone saw and then are asked to conduct their own autopsy after Friday night\u2019s 52-30 home loss to the Calgary Stampeders that was an across-the-board meltdown in which all three phases took turns administering self-inflicted wounds.<\/p>\n
One after another after another after another.<\/p>\n
And so, while they escaped last Sunday\u2019s overtime win over the Ottawa RedBlacks, some of the mistakes evidently masked over in that result were promptly exposed by the Stamps five days later.<\/p>\n
So\u2026 now what?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst things first, we\u2019ve got to be accountable,\u201d said veteran defensive end Willie Jefferson inside a morose Blue Bombers locker room late Friday night. \u201cWe took the \u2018L\u2019 and we have to accept that. Now it\u2019s about making the corrections.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo many mistakes. Too many penalties. One of the things we talked about before the game was playing a clean game and we sure didn\u2019t do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to lock in, focus up and take ownership of all that \u2014 the penalties, the mistakes, all the mishaps. We\u2019ve just got to be better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, what\u2019s massive now for this squad is how it responds. They\u2019ll have another short practice week ahead with the B.C. Lions in town on Thursday before the club\u2019s second bye of the season.<\/p>\n
That matchup with the Leos will be telling on so many fronts because what follows after the bye are dates with Ottawa at home, Edmonton on the road, Montreal at home and then the Labour Day Classic-Banjo Bowl home and home with Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n
Said Jefferson: \u201cThat\u2019s how we judge how tough we are and how resilient we are \u2014 the bounce-back game.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s concerning but it\u2019s not unmanageable or unfixable because it\u2019s football,\u201d added guard Pat Neufeld. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s just not your week.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll take a look at the film with a lot of intent and make the corrections because we can\u2019t dwell on this for too long with B.C. coming in here after another short week.\u201d<\/p>\n
ICYMI, here is our Game Recap from Friday night:<\/p>\n
Game Recap | Cal 52 Wpg 30<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n And what follows is this week\u2019s edition of UPON FURTHER REVIEW\u2026<\/p>\n THREE NUMBERS WHICH JUMPED OUT AFTER\u2026 a second glance at the stats package, which can be found here<\/a>:<\/p>\n 1 There were so many mistakes in Friday\u2019s loss and all of them seemed to be daggers, including the missed field goal return TD and a punt block on specials, the busts which led to wide open targets on defence and the four interceptions by Dru Brown, one of them in the end zone and two in the fourth quarter.<\/p>\n Winnipeg\u2019s turnover differential is now -6, a shocking total for a team still over .500 at 4-3.<\/p>\n 2 The Blue Bombers made just one visit to the red zone (an opponent\u2019s 20-yard line and in) Friday night and scored on Brady Oliveira\u2019s first of two touchdowns in a 13-yard run.<\/p>\n Still, a disturbing number which has unfolded over the first seven games: Winnipeg has had just 20 red zone opportunities this year, which ranked tied for seventh heading into this week. Even worse, their now nine red zone touchdowns is the lowest in the CFL.<\/p>\n Just by comparison, the Stamps were 2-of-4 on their red zone trips and now have a league high 23 touchdowns in those situations.<\/p>\n 3 We mentioned this in the Game Recap, but the usage of Oliveira was sporadic Friday.<\/p>\n Yes, the Blue Bombers were in a trail position \u2014 again \u2014 and that can impact his touches. And yes, the injury to right tackle Jarell Broxton just before halftime caused three shifts along the offensive line with Gabe Wallace moving from left guard to Broxton\u2019s spot, centre Tyler Elsbury moving into the guard spot and Tui Eli then taking over in the middle.<\/p>\n But Oliveira\u2019s 45-yard TD run inside the final minute of the third quarter cut the Stampeder lead to 39-27 and following a forced turnover courtesy rookie defensive end Nuer Gatkuoth on a strip-sack on Vernon Adams, Jr. that led to a field goal, Winnipeg had pulled to within 39-30 with almost 14 minutes remaining.<\/p>\n Yet, Oliveira\u2019s next touch after the 45-yard run \u2014 the longest of his career \u2014 didn\u2019t come until there were 56 remaining in the game. He finished the night with 14 carries for 128 yards or a 9.1-yard average.<\/p>\n COACH O\u2019SHEA POST-GAME\u2026 referenced a couple of times the Stamps repeatedly breaking tackles or poor tackling, which certainly was a problem Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s been a prior game where we didn\u2019t tackle very well,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I thought we shored it up pretty good. Some guys are just naturally better tacklers.<\/p>\n \u201cThe start of the third (a Jalen Philpot 69-yard TD strike from Vernon Adams, Jr. on the first play from scrimmage), that was embarrassing, right? Those guys, obviously they don\u2019t want to watch that play, but we\u2019re going to have to.\u201d<\/p>\n TD OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE!? \ud83d\ude31<\/p>\n Jalen Philpot with an UNREAL 69-yard TD to open the second half!<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Stampeders vs. Blue Bombers LIVE NOW!
\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, RDS and CFL+#CFLGameDay<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/TpXG9QBY7J<\/a><\/p>\n