Demski's absence silently crippled the Bombers' drive sustainability.

Veteran receiver Nic Demski was out with an ankle injury, and the offence struggled to sustain drives all game, leaving the defence exposed. Demski's blocking and short-area reliability are critical to Winnipeg's run game and quick passing scheme; without him, the offence lost its primary chain-mover, directly contributing to the defensive fatigue that broke late.