The Bombers wrap-up another year of disappointment

By Dr. Football and The Coach

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will complete the 2015 Canadian Football League season on Friday in Toronto.

For the 5-13 Bombers, the game means absolutely nothing in the standings. The team missed the playoffs after B.C. won last week and Friday night’s game is only of value for the coaching staff. Assuming, of course, that the current coaching staff will be back next season.

Bombers Coach Mike O’Shea (Photo by Jeff Miller)

It appears that head coach Mike O’Shea, who will be honored by the Argos for his playing days in Toronto at halftime, plans to start young Dominique Davis at quarterback.

“I just want to show that I know how to play this game, that I can go out there and get a win even though we’re eliminated from the playoffs,” Davis told reporters this week. “This game does mean a lot for guys that don’t get opportunities to play.”

True enough, and perhaps those guys can get something done on Friday night. There is very little doubt that the players who take the field for the Bombers on Friday will (a) play to win, (b) play to save their jobs, (c) play to impress other people in the league and (4) play for their own pride.

Whether that’s enough to beat a team preparing for the playoffs and playing in their own building is anybody’s guess, but if the Bombers have one thing going for them it’s that so few people watch the Argos anymore that there might be more Bomber fans in Toronto on Friday than Argos fans.

Meanwhile, our fearless prognosticators have a week left to save their seasons.

Last week, The Doc went 4-0 straight up (48-30) and 4-0 against the spread (45-32) while The Coach went 3-1 (44-34) straight up and 3-1 (41-36) against the spread.

This week, The Doc again writes our erudite observations while The Coach just continues to whine about all the penalties.

Remember, all games are on TSN. And as we remind you each and every week, for your own personal mental health, always keep the mute button handy. However, having said that, no matter how bad the game announcing is – and how much worse the half-time panel is – nothing on television is worse than the Rogers Sportsnet hockey team that was foisted on us on Wednesday night. That was nothing short of obnoxious. I must thank Shaw for my mute button.

Let’s take a close look at the final week of the 2015 regular season:

Friday Night

So much for the Matt Nichols Era. Dominique Davis will start for the Bombers.

Winnipeg (5-12) vs. Toronto (9-8)

Line – Toronto by 7

Toronto still has plenty to play for as they need this as a tune up for the playoffs. One has to wonder how much effort the Bombers will put into this after their bye week… The Coach says: I can’t imagine the Bombers have so little pride that they’ll get whipped in the final game of the year.

Dr. Football: Take Toronto to win and cover.

The Coach: Take Winnipeg and the points.

Saturday Afternoon

Hamilton (10-7) vs. Ottawa (11-6)

Line – Ottawa by 3 ½

Ottawa can’t afford to coast into the playoffs and will want the home playoff advantage with the win. Hamilton can’t and won’t win with their third or fourth string QB. The Coach says: Henry Burris makes his final bid for CFL Most Outstanding Player.

Dr. Football: Take Ottawa to win and cover.  

The Coach: Take Ottawa to win and cover.

Saturday Night

Bo Levi Mitchell

Calgary (13-4) vs. B.C. (7-10)

Line – Calgary by 1

The Stamps can afford to sit their starters as they will meet the Lions in a game that matters next week on their own field. They should have an easy time both weeks. The Coach says: I don’t believe the Lions will roll over in their final home game of the year.

Dr. Football: Take Calgary to win and cover.

The Coach: Take B.C.

Sunday Afternoon

Saskatchewan (2-15) vs. Montreal (6-11)

Line – Montreal by 9

The Saskatchewan nightmare ends for 2015 but I think they’ll give the other last play team a run for their money. The Coach says: Perhaps the most irrelevant game in pro sports this week: two teams that can’t make the playoffs in a game that starts at the same time the NFL games start.

Dr. Football: Take Montreal to win but not cover.

The Coach: Take Montreal to win and cover.

Posted by: Scott Taylor for RiverCitySports.com