Home-field advantage for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is 40 mph winds blowing off the Canadian prairies and an aura of invincibility at Winnipeg Stadium.
The question of the week in Baltimore is, how much will it be worth in Sunday's Eastern final?
"Not 47 points," Shar Pourdanesh, Baltimore's left tackle, said yesterday.
That was the margin of victory when the CFLs inflicted a 57-10 beating on the Blue Bombers on Oct. 29.
Familiarity breeds confidence in this case. Starting with a 45-43 exhibition win on June 29 in Baltimore, the CFLs have played the Bombers three times in their inaugural season and beaten them twice.
"It's not like we're scared of playing them," Pourdanesh said. Winning two of three, he said, "is a definite confidence booster."
Yet, Pourdanesh gives the Bombers their due: "The fact is, Winnipeg is the best team in the East. They're the team to beat. If it was the other way around, they'd be coming here."
The Bombers were 8-1 at home this season, losing only to Saskatchewan, 49-18. They were 5-4 on the road.
Since 1982, they are 10-1 at home in the playoffs, winning the last four. They reached the East final all eight years they've been in the division.
"It's tough to go into Winnipeg and win," said rush end O. J. Brigance. "You reach this point, though, you don't worry about those things. You tune out the external factors."
Boom or bust
Baltimore punter Josh Miller has seen film of bad-weather games in Winnipeg, and it isn't pretty.
"I've seen a punt that didn't get past the line of scrimmage," he said. "And I've seen a kicker line up for a kickoff, only to have the ball blow back to him.
"Of course, kicking with the wind, you can get an 80-yard punt."
Said place-kicker Donald Igwebuike: "Whenever you're in a situation like that, you always pray the wind's behind you."
A note of discord
Bombers assistant general manager Lyle Bauer complained on a Winnipeg radio station this week about Baltimore's hotel accommodations for the trip and the CFLs' request to eliminate loud music when they have the ball.
The CFLs' final offensive series in a 39-32 loss at Winnipeg on July 28 was accompanied by blaring music.
Baltimore coach Don Matthews said yesterday his team has the right to make its own hotel reservations. He declined those made by the Bombers.
Miscellaneous
Nose tackle Jearld Baylis (calf) missed yesterday's practice, but still is expected to play. . . . Calgary's prolific pass combination of quarterback Doug Flutie and slotback Allen Pitts were unanimous choices on the All-West team announced yesterday. Other unanimous picks were Edmonton linebacker Willie Pless and Calgary defensive end Wil Johnson. Calgary filled 10 of the 27 West spots.
TOUGH AT HOME
0 Winnipeg at home in the playoffs since 1987:
Year .. .. .. Game. ... ... ...Opp. .. .. Result
1987 .. .. .. East final .. .. Tor. .. .. L, 19-3
1990 .. .. .. East final .. .. Tor. .. .. W, 20-17
1991 .. .. .. East semi .. .. .Ott. .. .. W, 26-8
1992 .. .. .. East final .. .. Ham. .. .. W, 59-11
1993 .. .. .. East final .. .. Ham. .. .. W, 20-19