Toronto Argonauts get important test against Blue Bombers

With only a few games remaining in the season, the Toronto Argonauts look to get on a roll and there's no better test than against the hottest team in the CFL.

The last time these two teams met, the Argonauts won 16-14 in overtime at BMO Field, a game that didn't exactly feature an exemplary effort from both teams. Winnipeg went to 2-6 after that game with many wondering if we were seeing the team trend towards a rare down year.

It appears we were wrong...

Since that game, the Blue Bombers have returned to elite form, winning eight straight games. There are many reasons behind Winnipeg's turnaround, including the defence looking like the most formidable unit in the league and Brady Oliveira putting in a serious run for MOP.

Unlike their opponent, the Argonauts have struggled to string together wins. Since beating Winnipeg, the Argos are 4-4. However, they remain in a position to try to land second place in the East Division, and they don't have much margin for error.

"That's just the exciting part about the season where everything matters and the details start to play a big part in the game," Ka'Deem Carey said after practice this week. "Everything just starting to be crisp. It's the fun part about football."

Beating the Montreal Alouettes showcased the Argonauts' strength with a balanced offence. Defensively, there is still work to be done, and there will be no better challenge than trying to limit Winnipeg's offence, which essentially runs through Oliveira.

"They're going to try to run it downhill and try to establish it early," head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said when asked about the challenge of going up against the Bombers offence. "I think we've got a good plan for what we've seen this week."

One of the players that will be leaned on upfront if defensive lineman Jake Ceresna who has helped anchor a tough Argonauts unit that has faired well against the run this season.

At the same time, Ceresna knows that Oliveira will be a tough assignment but one the team is ready for.

"He's really good at disguising what they're trying to run," Ceresna explained. "We just got to make sure we stay disciplined, stay in your gap and don't fall for the bait an just go make a play when it's your turn."

The Argos will be looking for the offence to try and eat into the time of possession battle against Winnipeg as one way to limit Oliveira's effectiveness.

It helps to have a top running back in Carey, who is closing in on 1,000 yards for the second time in his CFL career. He is third in the league with 966 yards and tied for the league lead among running backs with six rushing touchdowns.

While Oliveira gets lauded as the top running back in the CFL, Carey is not far off in average rushing yards per attempt. He certainly doesn't get the workload that Oliveira gets, but he is confident in what he can bring to the game.

"The confidence is already there for me," Carey explains. "I'm excited to play them again. The defence is great, and not going up against (Adam) Bighill will be a different look for me. I feel like I'm the best running back in the league, so it's just good to go up against a young talent (in Oliveira)."

Carey knows that to help his teammates, especially against a Winnipeg team, the offence has to stay on the field. He knows that the Blue Bombers will try to wear down Toronto's defence with a ground-and-pound rushing attack.

"The key is just getting first downs against Winnipeg, moving the chains and keeping them on the field," Carey said. "I feel like we can have success throwing the ball and we can have success running the ball as long as we focus on the small details."

Toronto can clinch a playoff spot with a victory, while Winnipeg can clinch another division title with a victory.

With a lot on the line, it will be interesting to see if the Argos can show they still have that championship form.