Week 14 had it all: Hamilton winning… again, the Riders getting goose egged for the first time since 1986, Calgary beating B.C., and the Redblacks… well they’re still the Redblacks. Without further ado, here are the latest CFL power rankings.
1. Calgary Stampeders
No style points in Calgary’s latest victory at home to B.C. They failed to even score a touchdown while only putting up 14 points. The good news is with Saskatchewan losing, Calgary’s lead has grown to four points on top of the West division standings. More good news for Calgary is that QB Bo Levi Mitchell is expected to return to full health within the next two weeks, with a strong possibility he’ll start this Friday. Despite not looking dominant in the past few games, don’t kid yourself – Calgary is still the class of the CFL.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos vault back into the #2 spot the old school way, by running the ball and playing good defense. Edmonton rediscovered their run game last week, rushing for a whopping 300 yards on the ground against the Roughriders. Two more games against the Riders this season will go a long way towards determining which of those teams will end up with a home playoff game. If the Green and Gold can add an electric run game to an already steady QB Mike Reilly and a playmaking defense, they will be a true threat to make noise in the west.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Ticats have been climbing the rankings since Zach Collaros returned from injury in Week 10. Going 4-1 in those five games, the Ticats are now on top of the East and look as good as ever. What’s more impressive is that they’ve beaten three teams in succession who’ve occupied top spots in the rankings: Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Winnipeg. Hamilton seems poised to make it back to the Grey Cup at the rate they’re winning.
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Although they’re maintaining a decent record, the team is slipping down these rankings for one reason and one reason only: the absence of Darian Durant. The replacement behind center, Tino Sunseri, has looked like every other backup QB this season, with the exception of Kevin Glenn: weak. His only win in three starts came against Ottawa, though it took two overtime rounds to finish them. But in the other two games against Hamilton and Edmonton combined, his offence amassed a very weak three points. Don’t expect Saskatchewan to be in the upper half much longer if Sunseri continues to be spotty. They are so high up the ranks thanks to their defence lead by John Chick, Ricky Foley, and Tyron Brackenridge, but their offence needs to pick up points in order to give them a fighting chance at a repeat championship.
5. Toronto Argonauts
Fresh off a bye week, the boatmen are back home, where they haven’t played in since August. With big weapons getting healthy and the key addition of Chad Kackert on the practice roster they seem loaded for a playoff run. First they have to get past the Eskimos, as the Defend the Dome campaign starts against the Green and Gold. Chad Owens had a big game last time the Argos were on the field, and don’t expect that to change on Saturday. The East is making a move so the Argos will have to do so as well to keep pace.
6. Montreal Alouettes
The Als have won four out of their last five and quietly have positioned themselves in the race for first in the East division. A big victory over Calgary and a less exciting performance in the following week against Ottawa has placed them in the number six spot on our ladder. Heading into a bye this week, they will be well rested for the punch-less Roughriders. The race for the East is on and these birds are starting to fly at the right time.
7. B.C. Lions
In almost any other year, B.C. would be a strong contender for a playoff spot; but the West is more competitive than ever before and even a record above .500 may not be enough. They’re stuck with Kevin Glenn for the rest of the season, and rusher Andrew Harris is now out. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel: with both Saskatchewan and Winnipeg fading fast, the playoffs are in view for B.C.; they need to pull off a few more wins before season’s end to rise up the ranks.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers have one more easy game, playing in Ottawa this week; the rest of the season is all against Western opponents. They’ve shown absolutely nothing in recent games that says they’re going to turn the ship around. And there’s still room to fall in the power rankings, if Winnipeg continues their slide on the field.
9. Ottawa Redblacks
Even Henry Burris is sick of the Redblacks sucking so hard, and he’s started saying so publicly. That’s not a good policy for a player, but it makes placing the Redblacks at the end of the list as easy as ever. The league’s whipping-boys may yet steal a game or two and save some face, unless there’s some mercy rule in the CFL that will put an end to their suffering.
That’s it for our collaborative power rankings this week. Our CFL panel consists of Matt Bin (@lastwordonCFL), Nicholas Di Giovanni (@lwosnick), Steve Gifkins (@lwossteve), and Lance Keiser (@lwoslance). Thank you for reading! Leave a comment below to contribute to the conversation.
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