# CFL Week 20: Edmonton Elks (12-4) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-8) Game Preview, Injury Report and Predictions.

Source page: https://profootballnewshub.com/cfl/news/cfl-week-20-edmonton-elks-12-4-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers-8-8-game-preview-injury-report-pre

By Dino Sepe · Published 2026-10-16 14:06 UTC · Updated 2026-10-16 14:06 UTC

The [Edmonton Elks](https://www.goelks.com/) have been the biggest surprise turnaround this season. Once the doormat of the CFL, they improved dramatically. More importantly, the rest of the league has taken notice of the quality of football the Edmonton Elks are playing.

With a 12-4 record, 1st place is still up for grabs. BC is right behind the Elks in the West Division standings. Add it all up, and it creates some great drama in the final 2 weeks of the regular season.

The Elks will now face a hungry [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](https://www.bluebombers.com/), fighting for a playoff spot.

**Game Details**

Date: Friday, October 16th, 2026

Location: Commonwealth Stadium / Edmonton, Alberta

Kickoff time: 9:30 pm EST

Channel: TSN

Stream: CFL +

Weather forecast at kickoff: 13°C. Cloudy. It will feel like 12 °C with a wind gust of 18 km/h from the south. P.O.P. will be 10%.

**Odds**

Spread: Edmonton Elks (- 3.5) – 105 / Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+3.5) – 115

Moneyline: Edmonton Elks – 196 / Winnipeg Blue Bombers + 162

Over / Under: Over 55.5 – 110 / Under 55.5 – 110

***Via FanDuel Sportsbook***

**Injury Reports**

**Depth Charts**

**Players to watch: Edmonton Elks**

**QB – Cody Fajardo**

He has been calm and cool under pressure. Cody’s leadership speaks for itself on the field. He is one of the best when leading by example.

**K – Vincent Blanchard**

He’s been one of the best in the league and has bailed out the Edmonton offence over the last three weeks when the Elks have sputtered in quality chances in the red zone.

**The Edmonton defensive secondary**

JJ Ross, Tyrell Ford, Chelen, and Kobe Williams have been a force in the Edmonton secondary. They are a big reason Edmonton has been the best in takeaways in 2026. Terez Reid has also been a great addition with 1 interception, 6 pass knockdowns, and 24 tackles.

**WR – Austin Mack**

He is a go-to target for Cody Fajardo this season and makes Cody’s job easy with 79 receptions, 1,229 receiving yards, 8 touchdowns, and an average of 15.6 yards after the catch.

**WR – Joshua Cephus**

Joshua Cephus has been a great contributor to the Edmonton offence in relation to the team’s depth with 44 receptions, 596 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns, and an average of 13.5 yards after the catch. He has been a dependable player for the Elks in clutch moments.

**Players to watch: Winnipeg Blue Bombers**

**QB – Zach Collaros**

If Zach Collaros were healthy, Winnipeg would have a better record. What he did last week looked like the Zach Collaros of about 10 years ago. His precision showed how he can be an impact player. His current quarterback rating of 103.64 is all the proof you need.

**LB / DB – Redha Kramdi**

Redha Kramdi brings a lot to your defence. He can play both linebacker and in the defensive secondary. His 35 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble make a Winnipeg secondary lethal with his big hits.

**LB – Tony Jones**

Tony Jones is simply a tackling machine (275 lifetime tackles including this season). His numbers have always been good. With 84 tackles this season and counting, expect Tony Jones to be impactful for the Blue Bombers' run defence.

**RB – Brady Oliveira**

Brady thrives when he has to carry his team on his back. Give him the ball, let him run, and chew up valuable minutes to close out a game. He is a north–south runner who packs a big punch. There are many linebackers in the CFL who will tell you that he is one of, if not the hardest running back to take down or contain.

**WR – Nic Demski**

Mr. Clutch. That is what comes to mind when referencing Nic Demski. Need a big play, first down, or a touchdown? Deliver the ball to Nic Demski and see for yourself.

**DE – Willie Jefferson**

When it is all said and done for Willie Jefferson’s football life, the Hall of Fame will be calling. His big frame, speed, athleticism, and instinct make it difficult to contain him. His ability to drop back into coverage and bat down the ball at the line of scrimmage creates many problems for an offence.

**Keys to an Edmonton victory:**

**Keep the pressure on the Winnipeg offensive line.**

If the Blue Bombers offensive line is clicking, it will be a long day for the Edmonton front seven. The last thing you want is the Winnipeg offensive line dictating the line of scrimmage.

**Own the game clock.**

Win the time of possession. The longer the offence is on the field, the more you wear down a Winnipeg defence.

**Dominate the running game battle.**

Justin Rankin has not been as dominate running the ball since Week 6, with his 107–yard performance. His best recently has been 89 rushing yards in Week 16 vs. Toronto. He still brings another element as a receiver with 603 receiving yards thus far.

The good problem to have is having ShunDerrick Powell as RB2. He has done a great job absorbing some of the load off of Justin Rankin. If the running game clicks early, let the duo of Justin Rankin and ShunDerrick Powell wear down the Blue Bombers' defence.

**Be physical.**

Winnipeg will throw everything at you in this game. Edmonton must match the intensity level. Be physical on defence, special teams, the running game, and the offensive line.

**Prediction**

**Final Score**

Expect a playoff-like atmosphere at Commonwealth Stadium. Both teams need the win for different reasons.

On one side, an Edmonton team attempting to finish the regular season in 1st place in the West Division. With 1 more win and a BC loss this week, mathematically Edmonton will officially claim 1st place with one week to spare.

For Winnipeg, they are fighting for their lives. However, a Winnipeg win with one more week to play will put a damper on shortening Calgary’s chances of a postseason berth. As will be the case if Saskatchewan wins.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers: 29

Edmonton Elks: 25

The hunger of Winnipeg will win key battles over Edmonton. Expect this game to be multi-dimensional in relation to showing some different looks. Expect Winnipeg to be aggressive on 3rd-down plays.

Edmonton does play a great game. They will fall short by a more desperate team for a win.

From Pro Football News Hub. More at https://profootballnewshub.com/llms.txt