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Three storylines dominate the conversation when it comes to the 1-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers as they head into the Lions Den — both figuratively and literally — on Monday night, and they all surround positions of apparent weakness for the struggling club. Firstly, the quarterback play, with the team announcing the demotion of long-time starter Buck Pierce all the way down to No. 3 on the depth chart, bumping Max Hall into the primary backup role and handing Justin Goltz the game ball moving forward. “I just feel like (Goltz) is performing right around the same level, maybe just slightly better than Buck is performing,” said head coach Tim Burke on Thursday. “I feel like hes got a lot of upside potential. We just feel he can keep getting better week after week, and we feel that is going to be the case with Max (Hall) as well.” “Continuity” at the quarterback position is the word that has been used often by the team this week, and it sounds like Winnipeg is finally moving forward with the search for their signal caller of the future. “Hes hungry to prove himself and youve got to watch out for a guy like that,” said running back Chad Simpson of the new undisputed No. 1. “Hes focused. Hes getting a little irritated on some of the throws. I mean, he wants the ball, plain and simple. And I like that. Every game he plays hell get better. We havent seen the best Goltz yet, and its going to come.” Secondly, the underutilized running game, as Chad Simpson is averaging just over 11 carries per game this year after leading the league during his injury-shortened rookie season with 6.0 yards-per-carry in 2012. He finished fourth in total rushing with 1,039 yards in just 14 games. “Ideal carries for a running back is 20 carries,” said Simpson. “Again, weve got to put ourselves in a better position to run the ball as a collective unit. It is me blocking like crazy when its time to pass and helping extend drives. Once I do that, I should be able to get the ball more.” A big reason for Simpsons lack of touches is the offences lack of production on first down. “We definitely are working hard to gain more yards on first down and have more success on first down,” said Burke. “Were going to be going to more high-percentage passes on first down. Without giving away the game plan, weve definitely stepped up our first down game strategy.” Heavy doses of running the ball may help carry the load for an inexperienced Goltz in his second-career professional start on Monday. To put Winnipegs running game into perspective, over the last three games Simpson has been handed the ball a total of 34 times for an average of nearly 80 yards-per-game. He has scored four rushing majors in that span. Third, the defensive backfield, as Tim Burke says he wants to be more hands on with a secondary that has allowed the last three opposing quarterbacks they have faced — Henry Burris, Ricky Ray, and Bo Levi Mitchell — to throw at an 87 per cent clip for 1,024 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. “The last two games we just made some terrible mistakes that were just basic mistakes,” said Burke, who has spent the last eight years as a defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in the CFL, including two Grey Cups wins with Montreal. “Those were really egregious mistakes. Just totally blown mistakes by a couple of DBs, and we cant do that. I mean, were talking veteran guys doing these things. Certainly theres a couple guys whose jobs are in jeopardy.” “Were trying to emphasize some coverages that we havent been playing as much just so we wont be so one-dimensional. I think weve become kind of one-dimensional on defence.” Notes: When asked about Lions running back Andrew Harris tweets this week about his team, Tim Burke served up out this beauty; “Twitter is the bane of the world — except in Egypt.”... Week 1 starter at Nickelback Desia Dunn returns this week from a hamstring injury that has kept him out the last two games, while 2012 starter Johnny Sears has been placed on the 9-game injured list and continues to sport a walking boot on his right foot ... Versatile defensive back Demond Washington is out this week with a suspected abdomen injury ... Receiver Chris Matthews will start this week after missing action since Week 3 with a nagging back injury ... Defensive tackle J.T. Gilmore (calf) returns this week but has lost his starting spot to Zach Anderson. 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Cheap Flyers Jerseys .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. .Golden TateLions vs. Vikings ? A flip for the game winnerThe situation: In overtime, the Lions have a third-and-8 on the Minnesota 28-yard line knowing a touchdown ends the game. The play: Matthew Stafford throws the ball to Golden Tate, who shakes off one defender and then his former college teammate, Harrison Smith, and starts running to the end zone. As he gets close, he flips in the air and is hit as he crosses the goal line, giving the Lions a 22-16 win.AP Photo/Jim Mone.Michael ThomasSaints vs. 49ers ? The helmet helps for the touchdownThe situation: The Saints have first-and-10 on San Franciscos 32-yard line, leading 31-23 with 13:21 remaining in the fourth quarter. The play: Drew Brees heaves a deep ball up to rookie receiver Michael Thomas in the end zone, despite tight coverage from CB Tramaine Brock. Thomas turns and reaches both arms around Brock to bat the ball to himself as he falls backwards for the 32-yard touchdown, his fifth of the season, tops among rookies.AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron.Dak PrescottCowboys vs. Browns ? A proven starter who finishesThe situation: Dak Prescott tries to lead the Cowboys to their seventh consecutive victory, the longest since Jason Garrett became the head coach midway through the 2010 season. Prescott, a fourth-round pick, keeps playing better each week. He passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns against Cleveland. The play: Prescott throws a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jason Witten giving the Cowboys a 7-3 lead they never relinquish in the first quarter. He completes passes to eight different receivers in one of his most efficient performances of the season.AP Photo/David Richards.Odell BeckhamEagles vs. Giants ? Defended, but not stoppedThe situation: Second-and-goal from the Eagles 1-yard line. The Eagles had just scored to close the gap to 14-10, and the Giants regroup after being stuffed on a first-down run. The play: The Giants have three wide receivers to the right with Beckham closest to the sideline. While in shotgun formation, quarterback Eli Manning fakes the handoff to running back Rashad Jennings. Cornerback Leodis McKelvin lurches toward Beckham at the line of scrimmage. But Beckham makes a quick move around him as Manning fires toward the back of the end zone. Beckham jumps over McKelvins back to make the catch for his second touchdown of the first half.AP Photo/Bill Kostroun.Marcus MariotaTitans vs. Chargers ? Pushes for the pylonThe situation: Second-and-10 from the Chargers 14-yard line with the Titans trailing 19-14 with 12:19 left in the third quarter. The play: Titans QB Marcus Mariota takes the snap out of the shotgun and on a designed run races up the middle and then cuts outside. With Chargers safety Dwight Lowery closing in, Mariota begins his dive for the end zone from the 4-yard line and clips the pylon for a touchdown and a lead for the Titans. Mariota finishes with four touchdowns - three passing and one rushing - but is also plagued by turnovers with two interceptions and a fumble.Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports.Mike WallaceSteelers vs. Ravens ? 95-yard touchdown catchThe situation: In a scoreless game with the Steelers, the Ravens are backed up deep in their own territory late in the first quarter and face a second-and-9 from their own 5-yard line.dddddddddddd The play: Mike Wallace runs a short slant pattern, catches a Joe Flacco pass that sails away from his body and outruns Steelers safety Mike Mitchell for the touchdown. It marks the longest play from scrimmage in Ravens regular-season history.Rob Carr/Getty Images.Kenyan DrakeJets vs. Dolphins ? Breakthrough kickoff returnThe situation: The Jets kicking off after scoring a touchdown with 5:15 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Dolphins trailing 23-20. The play: Dolphins rookie running back Kenyan Drake takes the kickoff and breaks through the middle and heads to the right sideline for a 96-yard touchdown return. The play proves to be the winning score for Miami, securing its third win in a row.AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee.Marcus PetersJaguars vs. Chiefs ? Awareness pays offThe situation: The Chiefs lead the Jaguars 19-7 midway through the fourth quarter but Jacksonville is staging a comeback, with second-and-goal from the Chiefs 1-yard line. The play: Chiefs defensive end Jaye Howard knocks the ball loose before Jaguars running back Chris Ivory crosses the goal line. Cornerback Marcus Peters recovers in the end zone and helps the Chiefs hold on for a 19-14 victory.AP Photo/Charlie Riedel.Jordan TodmanColts vs. Packers ? 99-yards to the houseThe situation: The opening kickoff sails all the way to the Colts 1-yard line where Jordan Todman fields it. The play: Todman bolts up the middle of the field and at around the 25-yard line he breaks right and races down the sideline untouched the rest of the way for a 99-yard touchdown and a 7-0 Colts lead with just 13 seconds into the game. It is the first kickoff return for a touchdown by the Colts since Week 17 of the 2012 season.Dylan Buell/Getty Images.Mark IngramSaints vs. 49ers ? Finds the hole for a 75-yard touchdownThe situation: The Saints take over possession at their own 25-yard line with 5:56 remaining in the first half after San Francisco closed within 21-10. The play: Running back Mark Ingram bursts through a big hole inside right tackle and cruises down the right sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run -- the longest of his career and the fourth longest in Saints history. It was a big play for Ingram, especially, since he was demoted last week to the No. 2 running back job behind Tim Hightower after fumbles in back-to-back games.Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports.Dwight LoweryTitans vs. Chargers ? Scoops and scoresThe situation: Second-and-15 from the Chargers 47-yard line with 2:44 left in the third quarter and San Diego leading 26-21.The play: Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota works out of the pistol formation and runs the option to his right. San Diego outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tackles Mariota, popping the ball loose. Inside linebacker Korey Toomer initially picks up the ball and loses it, with safety Dwight Lowery scooping up the loose ball and rumbling 36 yards for the score.AP Photo/Denis Poroy ' ' '