After a weekend filled with blowouts here is where the CFL Week 16 Power Rankings stand with the Edmonton Eskimos discovering rock bottom just as the Western Division playoff race begins to really heat up.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Bo Levi Mitchell and the Calgary Stampeders remain in an echelon of their own as they improved to 11-2 last weekend. Despite losing yet another rising star in Reggie Begelton Mitchell found a way to eclipse 300 yards with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions. The Stampeders continue to fight their way through injuries for wins. They will travel to Montreal to face the Alouettes this Monday.
Last week: 1
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Another win in the books for Chris Jones and the Roughriders although this time, it was not all thanks to their defence. Zach Collaros put together his best outing of the season throwing for nearly 400 yards with a touchdown with a single interception. The Riders offence looked promising and will need to continue that form going forward if they want to be serious contenders come November.
Last week: 2
3. Ottawa Redblacks
The Redblacks watched their closest divisional opponent creep a little bit closer on their weekend off. They will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this Friday looking to regain a four-point lead in the Eastern Division
Last week: 3
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Hamilton-Tiger Cats bounced back in a big way last Saturday against the Lions. Jeremiah Masoli threw for under 200 yards and the offence produced just 315 as a unit. This was mainly thanks to a pair of defensive touchdowns and overall good field position. The Ti-Cats will get a week off before heading to Toronto looking to sweep their season series with the Argonauts.
Last week: 6
5. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
After beating the Montreal Alouettes people were still doubting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers but that doubt will surely be gone after the thrashing they handed Edmonton at Commonwealth. The Bombers defence was what won them this game generating three interceptions and recovering three fumbles. However, their offence will need to pick it up next week after producing just 254 yards of total offence. That is if they hope to keep pace with the red-hot Redblacks.
Last week: 7
6. B.C Lions
Jonathan Jennings threw a pair of touchdowns last weekend in Hamilton. Both of which were to the Tiger-Cats. Jennings returned to his true form opening up the door for Cody Fajardo who came in and threw for 69 yards, a touchdown, and most importantly, no interceptions. The Lions have an important decision to make at QB going down the stretch. They are still very much in the Western Division playoff race with a game in hand on both the teams they are narrowly trailing. Keeping their playoff hopes intact will start with a win at home against the Argonauts this weekend.
Last week: 5
7. Edmonton Eskimos
Mike Reilly and the Edmonton Eskimos got beat down 30-3 in front of their home fans last weekend finishing September at 1-3. Even Reilly said himself “after a game like that there is nowhere to go but up” and that stands true given their recent results and new position in the CFL Power Rankings. Things don’t get much easier for Edmonton as they will have to regroup and travel to Regina to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders this Monday.
Last week: 4
8. Toronto Argonauts
A fifth consecutive loss for the Argos this time at the hands of the Calgary Stampeders. James Franklin produced Toronto’s only touchdown again this week while McLeod Bethel-Thompson continues to play just well enough to not get benched, but not good enough to win. Toronto will look to stop their skid as they will look to play spoiler in B.C this Saturday against the Lions.
Last week: 8
9. Montreal Alouettes
Johnny Manziel threw a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions en route to another Montreal Alouettes loss. With four games left in the season, Montreal will be looking to get their franchise quarterback his first CFL win. Otherwise, the last month is simply academic for the Als at this point.
Last week: 9
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