After a long weekend of Labour Day rivalries here is where we stand with the CFL Power Rankings.
1. Calgary Stampeders
It was not pretty but the Calgary Stampeders improved to 9-1 this weekend against the Edmonton Eskimos, but it came with a cost. Star wideout Kamar Jorden left very early with an injury and did not return. Bo Levi Mitchell missed a series after appearing to injure his knee. The Stampeders won’t have much time to recover as they have to travel to Edmonton for the rematch this Saturday.
Last week: 1
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Riders managed to notch their third consecutive victory over the Blue Bombers at home this weekend. Zach Collaros and the offence were efficient again producing 341 yards of total offence with just one interception. It was the defence and special teams that won this game for the Riders yet again first with an interception that set up a one-yard touchdown, then with an impressive Kyron Moore punt return, and finally, a last-minute interception to snuff out any potential for overtime. The Roughriders will face off against the Blue Bombers again this weekend in Winnipeg as they attempt to capture the Banjo Bowl.
Last week: 3
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Another loss this week for the Eskimos this time at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders. In a tight gritty game, Mike Reilly and the Eskimos kept up with the Stampeders until the very end. The most penalized team in the CFL took a costly last minute penalty which ended up leading to a second consecutive loss. It was only their second penalty the entire game, which is a positive for the Eskimos to take away from this. They will look to bounce back this weekend against what will likely be a depleted Stampeders team at Commonwealth.
Last week: 4
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Another Labour Day win for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats over the Toronto Argonauts should come as no surprise to any CFL fans. The Argonauts made it interesting but Jeremiah Masoli put things to rest in the fourth quarter without much trouble. Masoli finished with a final line of 385 yards, three touchdowns, just one interception while completing 74% of his passes. The Tiger-Cats receiving core suffered another major blow losing Jalen Saunders for the remainder of the season. Hamilton will look to draw themselves level on points with the Redblacks on Saturday as they will face the Argos again at BMO Field.
Last week: 6
5. Ottawa Redblacks
Trevor Harris and the Ottawa Redblacks showed their inconsistency once again last Friday against the Alouettes. Coming off a thumping of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the road the Redblacks returned home and lost in embarrassing fashion to the Montreal Alouettes. Trevor Harris completed only 54% of his passes against the worst pass defence in the CFL and threw just the interception with zero touchdowns. The Redblacks will try recover from their worrisome loss this Friday at B.C Place.
Last week: 2
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Things went from bad to worse on Labour Day weekend for the Blue Bombers as they picked up their third consecutive loss, this time at the hands of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Matt Nichols produced just 166 yards through the air completing less than 54% of his passes and throwing a pair of interceptions, one that nearly went back for a touchdown. Chris Streveler completed his one pass for a touchdown. There will certainly be rumblings this week regarding Streveler getting the start over Matt Nichols and given Nichols recent performance, it is definitely not unwarranted. The Blue Bombers will host the same Riders team this Saturday at Investors Group Field.
Last week: 5
7. B.C Lions
The Lions got to avoid taking another loss last weekend thanks to a bye week. They will be hosting the Ottawa Redblacks this Friday in what is surely a must win game for B.C if they have any hope of making the CFL playoffs.
Last week: 7
8. Montreal Alouettes
The Antonio Pipkin era in Montreal has started off with a bang as Pipkin picked up his second consecutive win last Friday in Ottawa. Pipkin’s line did not look good with a pair of interceptions and no touchdowns. But one of those interceptions was at the very end of the first half which did not lead to any points, while the second only lead to three points at the start of the second half. Otherwise Pipkin was effective with his legs rushing for 75 yards and a score. The Alouettes defence has continued to stiffen up, holding the Redblacks to just 328 yards of total offence and not a single touchdown.
Last week: 9
9. Toronto Argonauts
Labour Day weekend went about as expected for the Toronto Argonauts. They managed to head into the fourth quarter with a lead but Jeremiah Masoli and Alex Green quickly put any hope of a win to bed. The Argonauts will look to snap their losing streak this weekend when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Last week: 8
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