Blue Bombers pose test for West Division-leading Elks

Cody Fajardo and J.J. Ross will look to send the Edmonton Elks into their bye week with a smile.

Named as two of the CFL's top players for Week 11, the tandem aims to continue its good fortune in Week 12 as the West Division-leading Elks (7-3) host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-4) on Friday.

Fajardo threw for 301 yards and a touchdown and defensive back Ross had a career-high two interceptions -- including one returned for a score -- in Edmonton's 42-12 romp over the Toronto Argonauts last Saturday. The victory snapped a modest two-game skid for the Elks.

"I tell you (the media) all the time, I tell my receivers all the time, ‘I throw where the open guy is,' " said Fajardo, who also earned CFL Player of the Week honors following Week 8. "... If you're spreading the ball out and everyone's touching it, everyone's in tune in the game."

Fajardo has thrown for 3,109 yards this season, second only to Davis Alexander (3,140) of the Montreal Alouettes.

Fajardo threw for 267 yards and a touchdown to help Edmonton post a 23-18 victory over Winnipeg on June 25. Justin Rankin rushed for 106 yards and a score for the Elks.

Zach Collaros threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns in that game for the Blue Bombers.

Like Edmonton, Winnipeg also snapped a two-game skid in its last outing -- a 33-21 decision versus the visiting and winless Ottawa RedBlacks on Aug. 14.

Running back Brady Oliveira totaled 154 yards -- including 74 on the ground with a touchdown versus Ottawa. Not too shabby considering he missed practices while nursing an ankle injury.

"Brady's a monster," fellow Winnipeg native Nic Demski said, per the Winnipeg Sun. "I don't think that guy was born the same as other people in this world. He's a beast."

Oliveira has rushed for a CFL second-best 732 yards for the Blue Bombers, who carry a 3-0 road record into Edmonton. The Elks, in turn, are 4-1 at home this season.

--Field Level Media