Once again another week has passed and gave us some really entertaining CFL football. Here are the LWOS CFL power rankings, Week 7 edition.
1. Calgary Stampeders
So much for going 18-0. The Stamps showed some vulnerability on Friday night in a 25-24 loss to the B.C. Lions. Calgary dictated play for most of the night with a strong running game featuring newcomer Martell Mallet. They were beaten late on a dramatic 65 yard touchdown pass by Kevin Glenn to Ernest Jackson. No reason, however, to knock Calgary out of the pole position as the Stamps still are the CFLs most complete team from top to bottom. It’s scary to think how much Calgary will improve once Jon Cornish and Maurice Price return from injury.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton holds strong at #2 in the power rankings after having a Week 6 bye. The Eskimos came out of gates flying with an impressive 4-1 record to start the season, thanks in large part to starting quarterback Mike Reilly. Reilly has been a consistent threat passing and running all season long. Edmonton’s defense boasts some of the leagues best playmakers, featuring sackmaster O’dell Willis and arguably the league’s best corner Patrick Watkins. On paper, Montreal and their struggling offense are in trouble this weekend as they play host to the Esks.
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers narrowly defeated a weaker team in Hamilton last week but managed to pull off the win and stay at one loss. They have been in the upper echelon of powerful teams in the league for almost the whole season so far thanks to Drew Willy, but they face a big challenge when they host the Roughriders on Thursday night.
4. B.C. Lions
The Leos handed the Stampeders, the only undefeated team left in the league, their first loss of the season last week thanks to a 66 yard TD toss with 90 seconds left. Kevin Glenn found his old confident self and may finally be under control in Vancouver, now taking the team to a .500 record.
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders
All seems right in Regina after two back-to-back blowout wins against the likes of Toronto and Ottawa. They did what a defending champion is supposed to do: win against teams below you in the standings. However, a matchup against Winnipeg is a big test this week.
6. Hamilton Ticats
It seems this team is close to having all the pieces together, and in the weak East division they can afford a couple of off weeks. They almost beat Calgary, took the win against Ottawa, and then thought they had beaten Winnipeg only to have it stolen away. We will take notice of how this team plays against division opponents, but for now it seems the Ticats are on their way.
7. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos played a dominating game against the Als, but they’re still dealing with injuries and a shaky offence. They may lead the East, but best of the worst is a dubious honour. They’ll need to put in some consistent performances to break into the top of the power rankings table.
8. Ottawa Redblacks
The deck remains stacked against the expansion team. They couldn’t keep the Riders from taking a huge lead in the first quarter and Burris remains his frustratingly inconsistent self – great when he’s great, but not when he’s not. They’re lucky they’re in a historically weak division this year, so there’s room below them in the rankings.
9. Montreal Alouettes
It was never going to be easy to replace a legend like Anthony Calvillo, but the Troy Smith experiment is now becoming a league-wide joke. Montreal fans have a long, desolate season ahead of them; the only thing they have to look forward to is Smith getting the hook and Brink banking some more starting experience for next year.
The power rankings were put together by our collaborative group of Matt Bin, Nick Di Giovanni, Steve Gifkins, and Lance Keiser.
Have something to add to our power rankings? Feel free to comment below.
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