The First-Down Run Famine

Brady Oliveira explicitly stated the offense "needs to be better on first down" after the Edmonton loss, and the numbers are damning—the Bombers had just 2 first downs in the entire second half, meaning they were constantly facing 2nd-and-long. The play-calling becomes predictable: run on first down, pass on 2nd-and-long. Against Montreal's aggressive front, the Bombers must use play-action on first down to keep the chains moving, but their offensive line's pass protection has been too inconsistent to trust that approach.