CFL Power Rankings: A new no. 1 heading into The Final Stretch
TORONTO — There’s a new No. 1 in the AMSOIL Power Rankings.
After clinching a playoff spot on Forty Creek Quadruple Header Saturday, the Edmonton Elks have taken over the top spot in the Power Rankings.
Where did the rest of the teams land after Saturday’s four-game slate?
Let’s find out.
1. EDMONTON ELKS
LAST WEEK: 2 LAST GAME: 53-16 WIN OVER CALGARY NEXT GAME: AT TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 19
Worth noting: Edmonton made a statement against Calgary, especially in the second half of the Battle of Alberta rematch. Cody Fajardo and co. outscored the Stamps 34-6 in the final two quarters on their way to their playoff-clinching victory. The Elks are streaking, having won four games in a row, and moves to the top of the AMSOIL Power Rankings.
2. MONTREAL ALOUETTES
LAST WEEK: 1 LAST GAME: 48-29 LOSS TO BC NEXT GAME: AT HAMILTON, SEPTEMBER 18
Worth noting: The Montreal Alouettes travelled West to take on the BC Lions in Week 15 and with the loss, have dropped two of their last three contests. Heading back East to take on the Tiger-Cats, Davis Alexander and co. will look to get back on track on Friday Night Football.
3. BC LIONS
LAST WEEK: 3 LAST GAME: 48-29 WIN OVER MONTREAL NEXT GAME: VS. SASKATCHEWAN, SEPTEMBER 25
Worth noting: The BC Lions defeated the East-leading Alouettes on Forty Creek Quadruple Header Saturday, and with it have won six of their last seven games. Nathan Rourke accounted for 394 total yards and Zander Horvath had a trio of touchdowns in the Lions’ seventh win of the year. With six weeks left in The Final Stretch of the season, can the Lions climb the standings and these Power Rankings?
4. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
LAST WEEK: 5 LAST GAME: 19-6 WIN OVER SASKATCHEWAN NEXT GAME: VS. TORONTO, SEPTEMBER 25
Worth noting: Winnipeg’s defence was the star of the show during the Banjo Bowl, holding Trevor Harris and his offence from scoring a touchdown and Redha Kramdi made a major impact in his return to the lineup. Winnipeg is now tied in points with the BC Lions and move up a spot in the Power Rankings as they head out on Week 16 bye. With the standings so close heading down The Final Stretch, there’s no doubt Winnipeg will be looking to replicate that defensive performance against the Argos in Week 17.
5. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
LAST WEEK: 4 LAST GAME: 19-6 LOSS TO WINNIPEG NEXT GAME: AT BC, SEPTEMBER 25
Worth noting: Saskatchewan failed to score a touchdown in the Banjo Bowl, as the reigning Grey Cup champions were defeated by the Blue Bombers. The Riders now head out on a Week 16 bye before returning in Week 17 to visit the BC Lions. They move down a spot in the Power Rankings this week, but there’s still plenty of time left for Trevor Harris and co. to move back up before season’s end.
6. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
LAST WEEK: 6 LAST GAME: 26-23 WIN OVER OTTAWA NEXT GAME: VS. EDMONTON, SEPTEMBER 19
Worth noting: Toronto moved to above .500 with their win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS in the first game of the Forty Creek Quadruple Header. Hosting either the Eastern Semi-Final or Eastern Final is still very much in play for the Argos, but if they had their way, it would be the latter. In order for that to happen, they’ll need to keep winning, and that starts with a meeting with the top-ranked Elks. Toronto is 3-0 at home this season. Does it improve to 4-0 in Week 16?
7. CALGARY STAMPEDERS
LAST WEEK: 7 LAST GAME: 53-16 LOSS TO EDMONTON NEXT GAME: VS. OTTAWA, SEPTEMBER 19
Worth noting: Sitting at 5-8, the Calgary Stampeders are at the bottom of the West Division standings. They had a tough second half against the Elks last week and will want to clean things up as they look towards the first game of a home-and-home series with the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
8. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
LAST WEEK: 8 LAST GAME: 37-22 LOSS TO TORONTO NEXT GAME: VS. MONTREAL, SEPTEMBER 18
Worth noting: While the Hamilton Tiger-Cats are still in playoff contention, every game is becoming even more important with just five remaining on their schedule. It won’t be an easy feat, especially in Week 16, when the Alouettes come to town as the Ticats return from a Week 15 bye. Can they make a statement and get a win against the Division leaders?
9. OTTAWA REDBLACKS
LAST WEEK: 9 LAST GAME: 26-23 LOSS TO TORONTO NEXT GAME: AT CALGARY, SEPTEMBER 19
Worth noting: The Ottawa REDBLACKS came oh-so-close to getting their first win of the season against the Toronto Argonauts, but came up short. Ryan Dinwiddie decided to switch his quarterback from Jake Maier to McLeod Bethel-Thompson during the game, but who will he choose to roll with in Calgary as they still search for win No. 1?
