Jonathon Jennings and the Lions weren't playing for any playoff implications on Saturday afternoon. With their playoff hopes decimated, the Lions entered Investors Group Field in Winnipeg embracing the role of a spoiler and hoped that the final weeks of their schedule will end with something positive.
Spoiling is what the BC Lions did as Jennings' four-touchdown performance led the Lions to a 36-27 win against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. It was Jennings' most dominant performance this season.
Jennings threw for 408 yards and connected with three different receivers. The 25-year-old quarterback needed just three minutes and two seconds to get the game going, and the Lions to never looked back. On the Lions first drive, Jennings completed each of his four passes and the drive ended with Nick Moore celebrating the game's first score. The Lions offense was in full-swing and would refuse to concede their lead for the remainder of the game.
Lions running back Chris Rainey recorded 195 all-purpose yardage and accounted for two touchdowns as he and Jennings appeared in sync for the entire night.
Chris Rainey pulls in a great 40-yard touchdown pass from Jonathon Jennings to push the @BCLions lead to 33-24 over Winnipeg. #CFLGameDay pic.twitter.com/YL9wvP0O2b
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) October 28, 2017
With Winnipeg quarterback Matt Nichols sidelined with an injury, the Blue Bombers needed to search for a viable replacement. They opted to give Dominique Davis a first-look in the first half. Davis went 7-of12 through the air but didn't make much impact against the Lions defense, so Dan LeFevour saw action late in the game. He wasn't any better, as he threw two interceptions on five passes.
Unlike the Lions, Winnipeg's offence struggled to come together. Andrew Harris had eight carries and no wide receiver totaled over 100 yards receiving. Winnipeg's kicker Justin Medlock carried the workload by converting each of his seven field goals.
Winnipeg had an opportunity to clinch second place in the West Division with a win. But with a plague of injuries, the Blue Bombers fell short and will await the outcome of the ongoing Edmonton Eskimos game. If Edmonton wins, both teams head into Week 20 with identical records. Winnipeg, with a high probability to claiming second place in the West, needs to win its final game while Edmonton needs to win both.
Matt Nichols update
Winnipeg's Matt Nichols left the game in the first quarter with, what the team classified as, a lower-body injury.
Nichols dropped back for a pass and, as he released the pass, hobbled around before falling to the ground. Nichols grabbed his left calf as he laid on the ground.
If as former Bomber quarterback and current TSN analyst Matt Dunigan suggests that Matt Nichols injury is to his calf that would be very bad pic.twitter.com/M4J1cMLzQX
— Joe Pascucci (@Pascucci015) October 28, 2017
The 30-year-old quarterback did not return to the game. Nichols went 3-of-7 for 30 yards before his early departure.