RedBlacks visit Bombers aiming to clinch 1st in East

Despite sitting under .500 on the season, a win and a little help this week will give the Ottawa RedBlacks an Eastern Division title and a first-round bye.

A RedBlacks victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday coupled with a Hamilton Tiger-Cats loss would clinch the top spot in the East.

Ottawa let the TiCats back into the race after losing three of its past four games, including an overtime defeat last week against Hamilton. Quarterback Henry Burris has regained his form during the stretch, though, tossing four touchdowns and averaging more than 400 yards of passing in his past two games.

The Blue Bombers find themselves tied with the BC Lions for second spot in the West, despite winning nine of their past 11 games. Calgary's dominance this season has left the rest of the division fighting for second spot.

The Blue Bombers have knocked off the Lions twice in the past two weeks, giving Winnipeg the edge in the season series. Blue Bombers signal-caller Matt Nichols has been solid since taking the starting job from Drew Willy, but over the last month he's battled turnover problems.

Nichols has tossed four interceptions during his last four games after posting only one on the year prior to that.

Ottawa and Winnipeg have yet to meet this season, as Saturday's contest marks the first of a home-and-home that will close out the season for both teams.