Zach Collaros led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a dominant 55-27 victory over the Edmonton Elks with a career-high six touchdown passes, clinching a playoff spot for the Bombers for the eighth consecutive season. Collaros had a feeling during warm-ups that it would be a special game, and his team’s explosive offense in the first half set the tone for the rest of the game. The win extended Winnipeg’s win streak to seven games and maintained their position as the CFL West Division leaders with a record of 9-6.
Despite the Elks dropping to 5-10 and facing a slim chance of making the playoffs, Collaros’ outstanding performance, completing 21 of 26 pass attempts for 432 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions, solidified the Bombers’ dominance on the field. Winnipeg’s receiving corps, led by Nic Demski and Kenny Lawler, capitalized on Collaros’ precise passes to amass a significant lead over Edmonton. The team’s third straight sellout crowd at Princess Auto Stadium witnessed an explosive offensive display that left the Elks struggling to keep up throughout the game.
Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson struggled against Winnipeg’s stifling defense, completing 19 of 34 passes for 223 yards with three touchdowns but no interceptions. Despite the tough loss, interim head coach Jarious Jackson remained supportive of Bethel-Thompson and expressed confidence in his team’s ability to bounce back from defeat. The Elks, facing an uphill battle to secure a playoff spot, will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming games to try and salvage their season.
Winnipeg’s dominant performance, particularly in the first half where they established a lead of 34-6, showcased their offensive prowess and defensive resilience. The team’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and convert them into points, such as TyJuan Garbutt’s interception return for a touchdown, highlighted their efficiency on both sides of the ball. Sergio Castillo’s accuracy on field goals and extra points further contributed to the Bombers’ commanding lead throughout the game.
The Elks showed glimpses of competitiveness in the second half, mounting a comeback that narrowed the lead to 41-20 before Winnipeg pulled away again with two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Despite their efforts, Edmonton was unable to overcome the early deficit created by Winnipeg’s dominant start to the game. Both teams will need to assess their performances and make adjustments as they prepare for their upcoming games, with the Bombers set to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats while the Elks will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Overall, Zach Collaros’ stellar performance, supported by a strong team effort from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, secured a resounding victory over the Edmonton Elks and solidified their position as one of the top teams in the CFL. The Bombers demonstrated their ability to control the game on both offense and defense, showcasing their depth and talent across all facets of play. Moving forward, Winnipeg will look to maintain their momentum and continue their winning streak, while the Elks will focus on regrouping and improving their performance to stay in contention for a playoff spot in the remainder of the season.
