The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were knocked out of the CFL unbeaten ranks last week with a 23-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to fall to 5-1 straight up and against the spread. Matt Nichols had an uncharacteristic outing with three interceptions after throwing only one in his first five games.

Nichols overthrew many of his receivers, and the offensive line for Winnipeg had its hands full with a Hamilton front seven that was able to get consistent pressure for most of the game. The Bombers’ defense didn’t play badly, but lacking the ability to move the ball and finish drives with touchdowns came back to haunt Winnipeg, which couldn’t take advantage of a first-half injury to Hamilton QB Jeremiah Masoli.

The Bombers might have the ideal foe to bounce back. Toronto is the worst team in the CFL and remains winless at 0-6 after a horrendous performance against the Edmonton Eskimos last week in a 26-0 loss. McLeod Bethel-Thompson was benched at halftime after going 6-for-18 passing for 90 yards and an interception, but things weren’t much better for the foundering Argos with Dakota Prukop at quarterback in the second half. The defense struggled, as well, and the injuries are mounting.

I expect the Bombers will not take this opponent lightly given they are coming off their first loss. Winnipeg torched Toronto, 48-21, a few weeks ago in Winnipeg, and this is not an underdog I want.

The play: Winnipeg -8 in first half (-110).