Go ahead and say what you will about the artistic merit of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers last two efforts — and there are a ton of critics out there, no doubt — but there’s no denying the results. This is a just-win business, after all, and the dudes and blue and gold are now heading into the opening round of the Canadian Football League playoffs on a mini two-game heater. And, before the Doubting Thomases step forward to offer up their yeah-buts and negative hot takes after Saturday’s 19-10 win over the Montreal Alouettes in front of a 14th consecutive crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium, a message: Talk to the hand, because no one in the Blue Bomber clubhouse is listening right now. Good vibes are good vibes — especially heading into the most important chunk of the season — and this crew doesn’t need anyone throwing shade right now. “We went in expecting to play well and we did a good job of playing complementary football,” said veteran guard Pat Neufeld. “Guys stepped in and played well and put something on tape. There were some mistakes, obviously, but we didn’t let it roller-coaster downhill. We did a good job of responding to adverse situations and our defence did a great job, again, all night. There’s points in the game where as an offence we’ve got to grind and get the ball out of tough spots, so that’s something we have to work on and get better at. “Hey,” Neufeld added, “it’s a win and you want to be playing winning football heading into the playoffs. That’s the bottom line. Over the years you see teams who aren’t playing great football going into the playoffs and that’s usually not a good thing. You want to go into the playoffs feeling good and that was a big point of emphasis for us this week.” The win improves Winnipeg’s record to 10-8 — Montreal falls to the same record with the loss — and these two teams will now meet again in Quebec in the Eastern Semi-Final next Saturday with the Blue Bombers serving as the first crossover team since 2019. The B.C. Lions edged the Saskatchewan Roughriders 27-21 Saturday night to finish 11-7 and lock up second place in the West — the Riders are first at 12-6 — with the Calgary Stampeders now slotted into third spot, also at 11-7 but having lost the season series to their divisional rival. “We know we’re on the road regardless,” said cornerback Jamal Parker, Jr. “Defensively we just wanted to put our best effort forward. Good technique, good eyes and work on the little things. We left some plays out there, but I thought we did a pretty good job out there. “What I liked was how some of the newer guys stepped up. Since I’ve been here it’s always been, ‘You’re next up’ and we don’t expect any fall off. That’s our motto.” More on the Blue Bombers 10th win of the season from our view in the press box… CHIN UP, STREV/WILSON OUT OF THE BULLPEN The Blue Bombers gave made nine roster changes heading into this one, opting to sit quarterback Zach Collaros, running back Brady Oliveira, receiver Pokey Wilson, left tackle Stanley Bryant, defensive ends Willie Jefferson and James Vaughters, dime back Redha Kramdi and return man Trey Vaval. That meant Chris Streveler earned the start with Collaros part of the crew getting the day off — the fourth time he has taken the first snap from centre this season — and after driving the team for a field goal on the first possession, he suffered what looked to be a devastating knee/leg injury on the second series and just the sixth offensive play. Pulling the ball down and taking off on a pass attempt out of the shotgun, Streveler cut and then dropped to the ground as he was hit by Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund. The veteran pivot was emotional as he had to be helped to the sidelines and then to the locker room. An emotional leader and physical presence in the team’s short-yardage package, his absence will be felt on and off the field with the playoffs now on the horizon. “Never bet against that guy. It’s a tough game. It can be cruel sometimes, but I’ll never doubt his resolve, his determination. We’ll see where this goes,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “It stinks but until I find out whether it really stinks or not (whether he is gone for the season or available for the playoffs) I’m going to just keep on being positive thinking about him.” The Blue Bombers were planning on taking a look at Terry Wilson heading into the contest and Streveler’s injury fast-tracked that. He finished the day completing 11 of 21 passes for just 79 yards while rushing for an additional 30 yards and a TD on eight carries. In short, his performance was what you would expect from a second-year pivot getting his first real work of the season. He had some quality moments — including a 14-yard run late in the second quarter that led to his own QB sneak TD just before the intermission — but also had some iffy spots, too, including missing a wide-open Jerreth Sterns in the end zone with that pass intercepted by Marc-Antoine Dequoy and later a potential Pick-6 that was dropped by Kabion Ento. Still, there were some bright spots. “It felt good to get myself rolling a little bit,” Wilson said afterward. “There’s definitely some plays I wish I could get back. But all together the defence played a phenomenal game, got us the ball in some good territory; special teams played great but overall, I’m going to go back and watch the film and see the things I need to correct and move on from there.” Asked about being in real game action with the stadium packed and live bullets flying, he added: “There’s nothing like it, man. Nothing like it. This is what you ask for playing the quarterback position. These are the situations you want to be put in. You’re going to get tested out there and see how you react to it. “Preparation is key. Preparation determines how I play so I take a lot of pride in preparing and just cutting it loose. Don’t over-think everything and just go out there and play ball.” STEPPING UP All that change also meant opportunity for the Blue Bombers and a handful of players new to regular snaps on defence or offence stepped up. New defensive ends Kydran Jenkins and Matthew Jaworski registered the two sacks for the defence; running back Matthew Peterson cranked out 107 yards from scrimmage — 80 yards rushing on 17 carries and 27 more on four receptions — fullback Michael Chris-Ike busted loose for a 65-yard run, Shayne Gauthier had a couple of tackles on defence while Michael Ayers, as always, did his thing with four tackles on specials and four more on defence. “A lot of guys got to play, and a lot of guys acquitted themselves quite well,” said O’Shea. “I thought our young pass rushers got after it pretty damn good, too. “In that room, the understanding they have — the why they do things the way they do it — and the belief they have in what they’re doing is through the roof. You expect all of them to go out and play pretty clean in terms of execution and make plays when they come their way. They’re all committed to it, so you expect it.” SAINT CAROL A special moment prior to the game when long-time Blue Bombers Manager of Ticketing and Fan Services was announced as the recipient of the CFL’s Jane Mawby Tribute Award, presented to a long-standing CFL employee nominated by each club and then determined by a committee of team presidents. Mawby, FYI, spent 28 years with the Calgary Stampeders before her passing in 2015. “Carol is the heart of what makes our organization special,” said Wade Miller, President & CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club. “She’s been a constant source of warmth, dedication and joy for our fans and our staff alike. Whether she’s helping a first-time visitor find their seat or reconnecting with a season ticket member she’s known for years, she treats everyone like family. We’re incredibly proud to see her honoured with this award – no one deserves it more.” Barrott joined the Bombers’ Fan Ambassador Volunteer Program in 2005 and three years later, formally came out of retirement to join the team’s ticketing department part-time. In 2013, she was promoted to Manager of Ticketing and Fan Services, where she has continued to set the standard for customer care and fan connection. NOTABLE Veteran defensive back Nick Hallett played in his 100th game on Saturday. KEY MOMENT: The Blue Bombers lead 16-10 late in the fourth quarter when punter Jamieson Sheahan crushed a 59-yard sidewinder punt that stopped landed inside the Montreal five-yard line and was then covered perfectly by Tanner Cadwaller, Ayers & Co. Trapped inside their five and with time ticking away, the Alouettes attempted a third-down gamble from their own seven-yard line but were stopped when McLeod Bethel-Thompson was pressured by Jaworski and his pass attempt fell short. A couple plays later Winnipeg settled for a nine-yard field goal to go up 19-10 with 65 seconds left. KEY STAT: 10 A number that shouldn’t be overlooked — the Blue Bombers have posted double-digit win seasons in each of the last nine years since 2016. They were 11-7 in ’16; 12-6 in ’17; 10-8 in ’18; 11-7 in ’19, 11-3 in ’21, 15-3 in ’22, 14-4 in ’23 and 11-7 last year. NEXT: The Blue Bombers will be heading east to Montreal as a crossover team for the Eastern Semi-Final on Saturday, November 1st. Game time for is 1 p.m. CDT. --- This story originally appeared at bluebombers.com and is republished here with permission.