Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca
CALGARY — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders are both heading into Week 11 fresh off disappointing losses.
The Stampeders were handed their first loss of the 2018 season last week by the Roughriders while the Blue Bombers fell to the Ottawa REBLACKS at home. Each club will be looking for a bounce back performance as they square off this week.
For Calgary, putting the loss in the rear-view mirror and turning their focus to the next opponent was key this week as they prepared to host Winnipeg on Saturday.
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Singleton and the Stamps are putting their Week 10 loss behind them (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
“Whether you win or lose, it’s an 18 game season,” Alex Singleton said on the league’s weekly media conference call. “By the time your day one (of practice) comes and you’re preparing for the next team, you’ve got to be fully focused on them. If all you do is think about the wins and losses from the previous weeks you’re not going to win anymore games.”
Adam Bighill – who joined Singleton, Kamar Jorden and Darvin Adams on the call – said that his team is also eyeing more focus after he felt like Winnipeg’s defence didn’t performed up to their own standard last week.
“We really realized how much we hurt ourselves last game with a lot of second down penalties where we could have gotten off the field,” said Bighill. “A lot of that just starts with focus and technique so we don’t take those kinds of penalties.”
Despite Winnipeg’s defence having an off-game, they still remain one of the best in the league. The Bombers lead the league in interceptions (11) and is second in sacks (22).
“Winnipeg’s defence does a lot of things well,” said Stamps receiver Jorden. “They matchup a lot with man (coverage). They do a good job with being aggressive and making tackles on the plays, not giving up a lot of YAC yards. We’re definitely going to have to match that intensity and just make sure that we’re playing physical right along with them while we’re blocking and running our routes.”
The Bombers and Stampeders will both look to get back in the win column on Saturday at McMahon Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. ET.
