For the first time in ten years, the Grey Cup, Canada’s biggest football game, will be in Vancouver. In a rematch of the Grey Cup from two years ago, the Toronto Argonauts will take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday, November 17 at BC Place to determine the CFL champion.
The Blue Bombers in particular are no stranger to Canada’s biggest stage, with Sunday marking their fifth consecutive Grey Cup appearance. While they have been remarkably consistent, they still have something to prove. After winning the Grey Cup in 2019 and 2021, the Bombers have fallen short in their last two appearances, losing to Toronto on a blocked field goal, and to Montréal on a last second touchdown.
Despite that recent history, Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is confident in his group’s ability to look past it.
“I don't dwell at all on those [losses] … We're so focused on what we're doing at this very minute that it's easy to leave those in the past,” he said. “At this point, we're … a brand new team with a giant task ahead of us.”
Earlier this season, it looked as if these losses had weakened the Bombers’ resolve. Through the first eight games of the year, Winnipeg played uncharacteristically poorly, with a 2–6 record, sitting second-last in the division. But Winnipeg was able to rediscover their form, winning 10 of their last 11 games, including a 38–22 victory over the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division Final. Their downfield passing offence was especially potent in that game, with receiver Kenny Lawler going for 177 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.
On the other side, while Toronto managed to beat Winnipeg in the Grey Cup two years ago, they have been the opposite of stable since then. Although the Argos had a dominant 16–2 regular season in 2023, they were handed a stinging upset by Montréal in the East Division Final.
From there, things continued to spiral as their quarterback Chad Kelly, who won the CFL’s 2023 most outstanding player award, was suspended nine games for violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy. This year, with their quarterback gone for half the season, Toronto only earned a 10–8 record. Despite the less impressive record, the Argos ramped up at the right time, beating Ottawa in the division semi-final before getting revenge on Montréal in the East Final, winning 30–28.
There was just one issue. Late in the third quarter against Montreal, Kelly went down with an injury — a broken ankle that will sideline him for at least six months. Toronto, again, is without their quarterback. They are turning to Nick Arbuckle, a journeyman backup who, before last Saturday, had never thrown a pass in a CFL playoff game.
Even with all the challenges the Argos have faced this year, head coach Ryan Dinwiddie feels his team is going into Sunday’s game with a clean slate.
“[It’s a] new club, new team, obviously new quarterback playing in this Grey Cup,” he said. “[We’re] looking forward to it, but it's gonna take the whole team collectively to do their part and make sure we get a chance to hoist that cup.”
While Winnipeg is heavily favoured given Toronto’s quarterback situation, both teams are looking to overcome significant adversity. For Winnipeg, it’s the sting of two straight Grey Cup losses that has robbed them of being considered a dynasty. For Toronto, it’s having to play without their MVP-level quarterback for most of the season, including in the year’s biggest game.
Which team will overcome their challenges? We will find out on Sunday at 3 p.m. at BC Place. Some tickets are still available to watch in person, or you can stream the game live on TSN or CTV.
Share this article
First online
