Dominant D: Oliveira's awesome performance lashes Lions

Winnipeg Blue Bombers win Western Final, advance to Grey Cup for fourth straight year, led by dominant defense and strong rushing game.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have taken another step towards solidifying themselves as a dynasty with a 24-13 win over the B.C. Lions in the Western Final at IG Field on Saturday night.

This win marks the fourth consecutive season that the Blue and Gold have been crowned West Division champions, with a 14-4 regular-season record. This is a historic achievement for the Bombers, as it's the first time in their 93-year history that they have won the division and reached the Grey Cup in four consecutive years. They have won twice before falling last year to the Toronto Argonauts.

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 32,343, the Bombers were led by an outstanding defensive effort, which stifled the Lions and almost completely shut down their offense in the second half. This was a welcome development, as Winnipeg's attack struggled for stretches after a strong opening drive that ended with their only offensive touchdown.

The Bombers are now preparing to face the Montreal Alouettes in the 110th Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Field on Sunday. This will mark the first time in CFL history that Winnipeg and Montreal will play in the championship game.

Let's take a closer look at the big win over the Lions in the latest edition of 5 Takeaways.

1) Bombers defensive co-ordinator Richie Hall drew up a near-perfect plan against the Lions, limiting their offense and sacking Lions QB Vernon Adams Jr. nine times to tie a CFL record for most QB takedowns in a playoff game. Adams was limited to 13-of-26 passing for 221 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. The Bombers defense limited the Lions to just three points in the second half and none in the fourth quarter.

2) Middle linebacker Adam Bighill appeared to suffer a serious injury in the final minutes of the first half, and his status for the Grey Cup is uncertain. If Bighill can't play, it would be a significant loss for the Bombers.

3) The Lions were limited to just 189 net offensive yards, a season-low for B.C. The Bombers' offense also struggled to find the end zone, settling for field goals rather than touchdowns.

4) Running back Brady Oliveira had an outstanding game, finishing with 109 rushing yards on 21 carries and two catches for 15 yards. Oliveira will be a key player for the Bombers in the Grey Cup.

5) Special teams played a crucial role in the game, with Nick Hallett blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown. This type of play can inject energy into a team and is crucial in big games.

Overall, the Bombers' victory over the Lions was a testament to their strong defense and the resilience of their team. Now, they are gearing up for a historic Grey Cup matchup against the Montreal Alouettes, where they will look to cement their place in CFL history.

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