After months of ferocious combat across Canada, the biggest game of the year is here. From the East Division come the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, looking for their first Grey Cup win since 1990. Standing opposite them are the hometown B.C. Lions, playing in their spruced up stadium. Al Dannity breaks down this battle of two titans of the game.
Lions have massive mental edge Let’s start with the obvious. The Grey Cup is a game for all fans of Canadian Football but playing it at home is a huge advantage. The Lions know the vast majority of the crowd will be on their side and that will give them a big boost in the early going. The Lions’ also enjoyed a lengthy winning run through the meat of the season, going unbeaten through 8 games at one point to make a statement as the most consistent team in the CFL. That’s the kind of success rarely seen in this league and the kind of form that carries through to the post-season.
Bombers ready to fight Buck Pierce knows all about adversity. On Sunday he faces the team that once cut him. Despite holding no resentment towards the Lions, the savvy veteran is going to want to prove his former employers wrong. Pierce, who has been plagued with injuries, knows how rare an opportunity he has this Sunday. With the ultimate goal in the sport within reach, this heart with legs is going to keep fighting until the final whistle.
That spirit is crucial to the Bombers’ mentality. Pierce has given Winnipeg the mentality of a team that will hit hard and keep on hitting. Throughout this week the Bombers will have been reminded of the challenge ahead of them, of the advantages enjoyed by the Lions. That will drive this team to compete passionately all day long.
The verdict Before making the call, here’s just a quick reminder to check out our lines on the other huge game in B.C. Place this weekend. Laval Rouge et Or take on McMaster Marauders for the Vanier Cup and you can bet on it here.
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For all the heart in this Bombers’ team, it’s just impossible to look past the dominance of the Lions over the second half of the season. This team has rode a wave of success and flattened all comers. Never more so than in last week’s win over Edmonton to secure a spot in the Grey Cup. The drought for Winnipeg is going to continue. I like the B.C. Lions to lift their sixth Grey Cup.