It’s getting serious out in CFL land right now. The Argos aren’t alone atop the East division anymore, while the Bombers are fading out of the picture for a possible home game. So let’s take a look at the CFL power rankings for week 12.
1. Calgary Stampeders
The league leaders are on top for many reasons, and last week they disposed of their rivals is consistent, methodical fashion. Even a late Edmonton rally couldn’t topple the Stamps. With the team back in full health and firing on all cylinders, and with Bo Levi Mitchell leading the league in QB rating, even the early Calgary snowfall this week won’t cool this team off.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Green Riders are on a tear, with the longest winning streak in the league, and they’ve taken on both Eastern and Western teams without much trouble. But Durant’s season-ending injury might also be the end of their run. They have a spotty Hamilton to play this week and a weak Ottawa team next week, but as the season moves into the stretch, they might find their opponents too much to handle.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Edmonton has dropped down one level from the being among the elite teams in the CFL after being swept away by the #1 ranked Stampeders. Matt Nichols has proven he can be a starter in the CFL, throwing for 343 yards and 3 touchdowns against a great Calgary defense in week 11. However, Mike Reilly will return to the starters job when he’s healthy again as he brings more to the table for the Eskimos offense. With no more games against the Stamps, Edmonton will set their sights on Saskatchewan for the second spot in the West. The Eskimos and Riders have three head-to-head matchups in weeks 14, 17, and 20.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers hang at the #4 spot just ahead of B.C. The Bombers showed great heart in a near comeback win at home against Saskatchewan. Drew Willy looked good again but the Winnipeg run defense let the team down. Riders running back Anthony Allen ran all over the Bombers, totalling 114 yards on 18 carries. Soft rush defense is a recurring theme for the Bombers, and they will need to correct it if they to move up in the Western division standings.
5. B.C. Lions
The BC Lions slip to last place among the Western teams in our power rankings, after a boring, rainy 7-5 victory in Ottawa. Quarterback Travis Lulay is injured again, after starting only one game coming back from his previous injury. Kevin Glenn has lead the team all season to a 6-4 record, good enough for fourth in the West and a crossover into the Eastern playoffs. We shall see if the Lions can leapfrog the Bombers on this list with a win over them this week.
6. Montreal Alouettes
The Alouettes at six? A few weeks ago, this team was ranked behind the Laval Rouge et Or on our power rankings, but now they seem to be picking up some confidence. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton is in control and well loved by his teammates, while his receivers S.J. Green, Duron Carter, and Chad Ochocinco are finally living up to their hype. The defence, led by Kyries Hebert and Chip Cox, are intimidating. Don’t be surprised if this team wins the division.
7. Toronto Argonauts
This franchise is in shambles, after the latest news coming out of the locker room from players that they do not have proper facilities to practice, ownership refusing to spend money on the Argo organization, and now a threat from Head Coach Milanovich claiming if the team isn’t sold by next year he will resign. They are coming off a narrow defeat in Hamilton on Labour Day, but had a bye week to figure out a game scheme and get rested. Problem is, they’re in Calgary to take on the number 1 Stamps.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
What we witnessed in last week was an implosion. This Ticat team needs to realize there are rules in this league and if you break them a flag is thrown and you lose yardage for each infraction. They beat Toronto at Tim Hortons field and that is where they will play next. The now Durant-less Riders are coming to Steeltown with a run game that will frustrate them to the point of taking more penalties. Expect the Cats to continue to look confused as to why there is so much orange nylon on the turf.
9. Ottawa Redblacks
What can be said about a team that allowed only 7 points against them and lost? A good start would be, WAKE UP! The Redblacks are dead last and if they continue to play as if they are sleeping they will continue to fall. The Rouge et Or are chomping at the bit to get back into our rankings, and heck, what team wouldn’t want to be showcased on the LWOS CFL ladder? Apparently Ottawa isn’t interested in staying within the top nine.
That’s it for our collaborative power rankings this week, our CFL panel consists of Matt Bin (@lastwordonCFL) Nick Di Giovanni (@lwosnick) Steve Gifkins (@lwossteve) Lance Keiser (@lwoslance). Thank you for reading! Leave a comment below to contribute to the conversation.
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