CFL Update For July 5, 2024

  

Admittedly, it did not take long for me to fall behind in covering the CFL. Haven't given an update since early June.

So here goes my attempt now to fix that: 

Earlier this evening, there was a battle between two teams who have really surprised so far in this still admittedly young CFL season, when the Ottawa Renegades visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Renegades have gotten off to a fast 3-1 start. Having been the worst team in the East by quite some margin last season, this quick start has raised some eyebrows. Not that they have clinched anything this early in the season. However, it is a very good start, and sure seems to bode well for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg's surprisingly awful start to the season has been equally surprising. They had been the best team in the CFL for the past four years entering this season, having qualified for the Gray Cup four straight times, winning the whole thing twice. By contrast, they have gotten off to a disastrous 0-4 start this season. Indeed, the team that raced off to a 9-0 start last season, and ended with the best overall regular season record and just narrowly missed winning another Gray Cup, now sits at the very bottom of the league, one of only two remaining winless teams in the West, along with Edmonton. Interestingly, Hamilton also got off to a surprisingly bad 0-4 start. 

The Blue Bombers managed to get the better of the Renegades, although they struggled to hang on towards the end. Ottawa was on the verge of being put away all night, but to their credit, they hung tough. Still, Winnipeg was ultimately able, finally, to close the game out and earn their first (and so far only) win of the season. They surely will get more, and likely will reach the playoffs. But indeed, they do not look anywhere near the level which we have gotten used to them playing at in recent years. Still, this win allows them to get the monkey of having to earn that first win of their back, which is a pressure which both Hamilton and Edmonton still have on them.

While Edmonton will not be able to get their first win this weekend, by virtue of it being a bye for them, the Blue Bombers played Ottawa earlier tonight, while the Tiger-Cats will get a chance at earning their first win of the season when they host the 3-1 British Columbia Lions this Sunday. Tomorrow, Montréal will put their perfect 4-0 record on the line when they host 2-1 Calgary. 

Finally, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the now 2-2 Toronto Argos in Regina yesterday, 30-23. They improved to 4-0 on the year, and are the only other undefeated team remaining, other than the defending champion Alouettes. 

Below is a video from last week of a really lock kick by Winnipeg placekicker Sergio Castillo. the blue Bombers did not win this particular game, but that does not detract from how impressive this kick was, nevertheless. 

Castillo breaks Winnipeg franchise record with a massive 60-yd field goa...