Blue Bombers look for payback in rematch with Stampeders, this time in Winnipeg
Calgary handed Winnipeg its only loss of the season 2 weeks ago
Zach Collaros and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers get another shot at the Calgary Stampeders on Friday.
Two weeks ago, Calgary handed Winnipeg its first loss of the season, 37-16 in the inaugural Stampede Bowl. On Friday night, the Stampeders (4-1) face the Blue Bombers (3-1) at Princess Auto Stadium.
Calgary is coming off consecutive weeks of handing division rivals their first losses. Last week, the Stampeders defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-10 in a game that was pushed back a day due to bad air quality in Regina.
It's been quite a start for Calgary, which posted a 5-12-1 record in 2024 to finish fifth in the West Division.
This season, the Stampeders have allowed just five touchdowns in 68 drives (7.4 per cent) and only four touchdowns in the opposition's 11 trips into the red zone.
Calgary is also tied for the league lead in takeaways (13) and 30-plus yard completions (11). The Stampeders are second only to B.C. (410) in net offence (409.6 yards per game) but boast the CFL's top-ranked ground game (130.6 yards).
Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. is second overall in passing (1,453 yards). He's tied with Toronto's Nick Arbuckle for most 30-plus yard completions (11) but is tops with a 10.5-yard average per pass attempt.
Adams has also rushed for 132 yards on 16 carries (8.3-yard average) and a touchdown. A win Friday night would give Calgary the season series versus Winnipeg.
The Bombers are especially tough at Princess Auto Stadium. Not only are they the league's lone unbeaten team at home (2-0), but they've won eight of their last nine overall there.
Calgary has also lost eight straight in Winnipeg, its last win there coming in 2017, although Adams Jr. is 5-3 over his career versus the Bombers and threw for 428 yards and three TDs in last week's win over Saskatchewan.
Rookie Damien Alford, who Calgary took first overall in the 2025 CFL draft, had six catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start.
What's more, Winnipeg is 12-0 coming off a bye week since 2021, and Collaros sports a 10-7 record versus Calgary.
Pick: Winnipeg.