Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
Venue: Princess Auto Stadium, 315 Chancellor Matheson Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba
This is a key late-season interdivisional matchup. Toronto sits second in the East (behind Montreal) and has already clinched a playoff berth after a recent three-game win streak. Winnipeg is in a tight West Division race, tied for third with BC, and needs wins to secure home-field advantages or better playoff positioning.
Venue and Weather
Princess Auto Stadium (home of the Blue Bombers since 2013) will host. Forecast for Friday in Winnipeg calls for mild conditions: high around 21–25°C (70–77°F), partly cloudy to clearing, low chance of precipitation (around 6–21%), and south/southeast winds of roughly 15–30 km/h. Evening temperatures near kickoff should be comfortable in the mid-to-upper teens Celsius, with no major weather disruptions expected.
Current Rosters and Key Players
Toronto Argonauts (HC Mike Miller):
QB Chad Kelly is the clear starter and CFL passing leader (~4,777 yards, 31 TDs, high volume with some interceptions). Backup Nick Arbuckle is available.
Key receivers: Damonte Coxie (team receiving leader ~1,111 yards), David Ungerer, Tyler Kahmann, Kevin Mital, Nolan Ulm (recently cleared/full practice), Makai Polk (available after foot issues).
Running backs: Limited ground game (team ranks near bottom in rushing); contributors include Samuel Hicks/Isaiah Smith types and Kelly’s legs.
Defense features Shawn Lemon (sacks leader among noted players) and secondary pieces like Benjie Franklin/Tarvarus McFadden (McFadden listed out in recent report).
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (HC Mike O’Shea):
QB Zach Collaros (head injury) is officially out; Dru Brown will start. Brown has seen action this season (~1,148 yards in limited appearances with balanced TD/INT ratio).
RB Brady Oliveira (key workhorse, previously ~high rushing totals) is available despite ankle/knee management (did not practice Wednesday but cleared).
Receivers: Nic Demski (available despite ankle), Tim White, others including Gavin Cobb/Tommy Nield. Ontaria Wilson is on the longer-term injured list.
OL Stanley Bryant available. Defense relies on veterans like Willie Jefferson (DE) and the secondary (Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi, etc.). Jake Ceresna and others contribute on the D-line.
Injury Reports
Toronto:
Available/full or cleared: Nolan Ulm (foot), Makai Polk (foot), Desmond Bland (shoulder), Ralph Holley (leg).
Out: Tarvarus McFadden (hand), Robert Priester (Achilles). Earlier questions on Damonte Coxie (knee) and others appear largely resolved or managed.
Winnipeg:
Out: Zach Collaros (head). Michael Griffin II (ankle) listed out in reports.
Available: Brady Oliveira (ankle/knee), Nic Demski (ankle), Stanley Bryant (ankle), Cam Lawson (foot), De’Shaan Dixon (hip).
Recent Team Forms
Toronto: Won three straight (37-22 at Hamilton on Labour Day, 26-23 vs. Ottawa, 24-19 vs. Edmonton). Kelly has thrown for 300+ yards in multiple recent starts (including 373 vs. Edmonton). Offense is pass-heavy and high-volume (league-leading passing yards/game); defense has been opportunistic. Last 10: roughly 6-4. They are the hotter team entering the week.
Winnipeg: Came off a bye after a 19-6 Banjo Bowl win over Saskatchewan (Collaros exited early with the head injury; Brown finished). Record sits at 7-6 with mixed results; defense has shown strong recent form (low-scoring Banjo Bowl). Last 10 around 6-4. Home form and bye week are positives, but the QB change is a major variable.
Series History
All-time (including playoffs): Toronto leads slightly (approximately 66-63-2 overall; regular-season edge also to Argos in recent tallies). Recent meetings include Winnipeg’s 30-21 home win on July 10, 2026. The teams have a long Grey Cup history (multiple early matchups favoring Toronto; more recent ones competitive, including Toronto’s 2024 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg). Games are often close and high-stakes.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Chad Kelly vs. Winnipeg secondary/pass rush: Kelly’s high-volume, aggressive style faces a Bombers defense that limited Saskatchewan effectively. Look for Lemon/Jefferson-type pressure vs. Toronto’s OL and coverage on Coxie/Ungerer/Kahmann/Mital.
Dru Brown + Brady Oliveira vs. Toronto front seven: Brown’s efficiency and Oliveira’s rushing (when healthy) will test Toronto’s run defense (stronger ranking). Oliveira’s availability is a big swing factor for Winnipeg’s balance.
Receiving corps vs. secondaries: Demski/White vs. Toronto DBs; Toronto’s deep threats vs. Winnipeg’s experienced secondary (Holm, Nichols, etc.).
Special teams and turnover battle could decide a close game, given both teams’ recent tendencies.
Betting Trends
Under has hit in several recent Argos games (including after wins and as underdogs).
Winnipeg has been solid ATS in certain home/underdog spots historically; recent ATS roughly even or slightly positive.
Toronto strong ATS in some road/favorite contexts recently but overall mixed. High totals reflect both teams’ scoring potential, though Winnipeg’s recent defensive effort and Brown starting may temper the Over.
GAME ODDS
Toronto Argonauts – 1
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 58.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, September 24, 2026
