Blue Bombers hunting playoff spot in meeting with Elks

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers can clinch a postseason berth if they continue their winning ways against the host Edmonton Elks on Saturday night.

The Blue Bombers (8-7) have won each of the last 13 encounters versus the Elks (6-9) and 16 of their last 18 overall. Those totals include Winnipeg's 36-23 triumph on June 26.

Zach Collaros threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns in that game and completed 20 of 25 passes for a season-best 367 yards in a 40-3 romp over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Winnipeg's most recent game on Sept. 27.

Winnipeg now finds itself battling the B.C. Lions (9-7), Calgary Stampeders (8-7) and even the Elks in the congested West Division.

"It's a crazy West Division right now," Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira said. "We'll see how everything plays out, but we've got to worry about ourselves right now and just win football games. We've got to worry about Edmonton this week and going in there and winning that football game and just every week worry about going 1-0."

Oliveira is 29 rushing yards shy of reaching 1,000 for the fourth straight season, while fellow Winnipeg native Nic Demski is 4 receiving yards short of hitting 1,000 for the third consecutive campaign.

Demski's pursuit may have to wait. He has failed to participate in practice this week for personal reasons and is considered doubtful for Saturday's game.

While Winnipeg is on the cusp of a postseason spot, Edmonton kept its flickering crossover playoff hopes alive with a 27-25 triumph over the West-best Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday,

Justin Rankin scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns versus the Riders, giving him eight trips to the end zone (six rushing, two receiving) over his last seven games. Three days later, the star running back was rewarded with a contract through the 2027 season.

"I'm excited to be staying in Edmonton for the next two seasons," said Rankin, who is second in the league with 12 touchdowns (eight rushing, four receiving). "I feel the city and the fans have embraced me, and I love the direction this team is going."

Despite the optimism, Edmonton is a hiccup away from missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

--Field Level Media