Welcome back to our panel’s version of the CFL power rankings for Week 4. Read on to see which direction your team is going on our ladder.
CFL Power Rankings Week 4
Lance Keiser (@lwoslance)
1) Calgary Stampeders
With a very strong start to the 2014 campaign, the Calgary Stampeders are headed in the right direction to another outstanding season. Bo Levi Mitchell had the poise and pocket presence of a veteran this year in the a sound victory over the Argos – and all this without star running back Jon Cornish. It’s going to be scary to see what they can do when he returns.
2) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Drew Willy has answered the call, and forced his critics and the Winnipeg media to take notice: this guy may be for real. He engineered a couple of flawless drives and dug deep to come away with points when it mattered most. This team will have a serious test in Week 4 as the race to four wins comes against Edmonton.
3) Edmonton Eskimos
As with Winnipeg, there are many reasons to get excited about this young team. They are coming together and playing well as a unit. With a complete team effort against Ottawa, they suffocated the Redblacks and beat them in every aspect of the game. Defence wins championships, and that’s where this team will be tested this week against the Bombers and all their firepower.
4) Montreal Alouettes
Troy Smith looks like very soon he have his coming out party, despite all the pressure and expectations of taking the reins from Calvillo. Although they lost last week to the unbeaten Bombers, they took them to the limit and for that reason they stand in the number four spot.
5) Toronto Argonauts
This team is hard to figure out: a Week 1 blowout loss to the Bombers, a Week 2 crushing of the Roughriders, and now a Week 3 beatdown at the hands of Calgary. All that taken into consideration, it’s early and this team is loaded with talent. and We can’t fault them for losing to Calgary, although we would like to have seen a better effort.
6) B.C Lions
The Leos looked great in Regina last week, in a game they really had to win to avoid falling farther behind in the west. The defence was suffocating; Kevin Glenn wasn’t outstanding but made they plays necessary to score. Keep an eye on this team in Week 4, that win in Regina may have gotten things rolling.
7) Saskatchewan Roughriders
Times are tough right now in Regina. Coming off back-to-back poor showings in Toronto and more importantly at home, it’s clear they need help at RB. Will Ford has recently signed on with a chance at being the starter. They’ll need this week’s bye to work on their whole offense and lick their wounds.
8) Ottawa Redblacks
In Week 2 this team showed promise against Winnipeg, but in Week 3 they showed us nothing. After a disheartening loss in Edmonton they now come home to a new stadium and their inaugural home opener. The fans will be there and be loud; the question is, which Redblacks team will show up?
9) Hamilton Tiger-cats
With no action in Week 3 to speak of, no movement can occur up the ladder and their is zero room to move down the ladder. Jeremiah Masoli gets the start in week 4. Let’s see how the receivers respond.
Nick Di Giovanni (@LwosNick)
1) Edmonton Eskimos
Behind 27 points on their way to a third win of the season, the Eskimos offence was hot with Mike Reilly throwing for 3 TDs. The offensive fire power along with defensive physicality (5 sacks) makes them the week’s most powerful team.
2) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Only one TD pass for Drew Willy this week, to Julian Feoli-Guidino to win the game, was the reason the Bombers dropped from the top spot. One of the more exciting teams in the league still managed to score 34 points in a dramatic win over Montreal and remain a force to be reckoned with.
3) Calgary Stampeders
Without MOP Canadian Jon Cornish, John Hufnagel let the ball fly through the air as Bo Levi Mitchell passed for 4 TDs on the road in Toronto. The defence still doesn’t excel, getting only three sacks and no interceptions against the Argos. The team as a whole is in good hands with Coach Hufnagel.
4) Montreal Alouettes
Finally! Troy Smith found his good Friday night against Winnipeg, throwing to – guess who – Chad Johnson for one of his three majors. The defence collapsed late for a lead-shattering loss. But the offence looks like it’s feeling comfortable and is finally ready to get it done.
5) Toronto Argonauts
Inconsistency continues to be an issue in Toronto as they get dismantled on home turf a week after blowing Saskatchewan wide open. Maybe on odd weeks they will do poorly and on even weeks they’ll be amazing. Who knows with this team? Consistency is key for them to make it to the top of the list.
6) Saskatchewan Roughriders
Falling in this list is Rider Nation with a huge loss in Toronto followed by a loss against last week’s weakest team in the league. There shouldn’t be any worries in green territory, as their is no power in this team yet.
7) B.C. Lions
The Lions jump up the list just by beating the Roughriders last week. They looked a lot more confident and in control of the game. Kevin Glenn found his groove and looks to back to his old self. Now we shall see if this continues.
8) Ottawa Redblacks
Their running game is on point with Chevon Walker but everyone else is not. The new squad is not gelling as a team through two weeks, and Henry Burris has lost his touch.
9) Hamilton Tiger-Cats
No stadium, and no first-string QB with Zach Collaros out. Wow, the Ticats really have nothing. Maybe they can heal some injuries in the off week but meanwhile they’ve dropped down to the bottom of the list. We’ll see how they perform next week.
Stay tuned for next week, as we will have a different look at the power rankings. With week 4 coming quickly let’s see who will rise to the occasion, and who will fall.
Matt Bin’s thoughts (@coffeewriting)
This early in the season, without seeing them against a range of opponents, the top 3 are pretty clear. Any one of them could be at the top of the heap in a week’s time, but Calgary can keep the #1 spot until we see how they fare against better competition. This week could be crucial for them to stay ahead in the West. I would put Winnipeg on top on the strength of their three straight wins, followed by Edmonton, then Calgary, but while these teams are unbeaten there isn’t much to choose between them.
For the middle three, Montreal and Toronto continue to stay in the middle of the pack but I don’t know that either is much good. In the long run Troy Smith might have more to show than Ricky Ray but expect these two to see-saw a bit for a while. BC is still not a strong team, and if they had beaten anyone but the Riders, they would probably still sit in the lower tier. I might flip Montreal with Toronto but otherwise I’d agree with Lance’s ratings.
At the bottom of the pile, Ottawa and Hamilton both have a lot to play for, but nothing to show for their season so far, so they are in a dead heat for worst in the CFL. Like Nick, I might put Saskatchewan higher but they easily fall to the bottom after their last two calamities, but Darian Durant remains a potent attacking threat, so it’s conceivable that they could dig their way out soon. We’re all in agreement about the last pair, though.
Agree? Disagree? Tell us in the comments.
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