Blue Bombers look to improve playoff hopes against 1st-place Stampeders

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will look to climb up the West Division standings Friday when they host the first-place Calgary Stampeders.

Winnipeg missed a golden opportunity to move into a playoff spot last week after the B.C. Lions lost to the Stamps, but the Bombers couldn't capitalize, falling to 4-8 after losing to the Montreal Alouettes.

Things won't get any easier when the Calgary comes to town. The Stamps have won six of their last seven and own the league's best record. If Winnipeg hopes to come away victorious, they'll have to slow down Eric Rogers, who leads the league with 64 catches, 1,044 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Slowing down Calgary's offense will fall on the Blue Bombers pass rush. Jamaal Westerman is tied for the CFL lead with nine sacks and a few more of those would go a long way in slowing down quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell.

The Stampeders are 2-0 versus the Blue Bombers this season.