Bombers’ O’Shea names Nichols starting QB against Als

Despite Mike O’Shea declining to name a starter for Winnipeg’s Week 14 game against Montreal during the bye week, the Bombers head coach has made it official: Matt Nichols will be the man behind centre.

#Bombers HC Mike O'Shea has named Matt Nichols the starter Friday against the Montreal Alouettes, noting his entire body of work with the team and the 27 wins he has w/ Wpg since the 2015 season. Mentioned it didn't take much time at all to reach a decision. #wfp

— Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) September 17, 2018

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O’Shea benched Nichols in Winnipeg’s Banjo Bowl loss to Saskatchewan. Nichols was 10-of-20 for 165 yards with no touchdowns and the three interceptions as the Riders took a 20-17 lead into halftime when the change at quarterback was made to Chris Streveler at the beginning of the third quarter. Streveler completed 10-of-20 balls for 160 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions as the Bombers lost 32-7 to the Riders.

3DownNation Bombers expert John Hodge feels Nichols has lost his confidence.

Nichols has thrown for 1,933 yards, 11 touchdowns against 12 interceptions – the highest single-season total of his career – and he’s 4-5 as a starter in 2018. Streveler went 1-2 while Nichols was injured for the first three games of the season.

Winnipeg sits last in the West Division at 5-7 and host Montreal on Friday with potentially one Johnny Manziel as the opposing quarterback.