CFL QB Index: Newcomer among top 3

The Rockstar QB Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field evaluation.

TORONTO — With Vernon Adams Jr. at the helm, there’s no limit to what the Montreal Alouettes can accomplish.

That much became clear when Adams was sidelined by injury two weeks ago, and emphasized again in Week 10 after leading the Als to an unforgettable come-from-behind win over the Calgary Stampeders.

In his return to the lineup, Adams overcome two interceptions to lead the Alouettes to their first win at McMahon Stadium since the 2009 Grey Cup, moving to 4-2 as a starter in 2019.

Not only has Adams been one of the more effective starters this season, he’s also become appointment viewing week in and week out.

Elsewhere, Nick Arbuckle is back in the top three after a stellar performance despite losing to Montreal. The sophomore has extended his time as the starter with Bo Levi Mitchell out, and continues to turn heads as one of the league’s top young prospects.

In Winnipeg, the Bombers are preparing to start Chris Streveler after Matt Nichols suffered an upper body injury in a win over BC. Nichols was having a superb 2019 campaign, though Streveler has drawn plenty of intrigue through his first two seasons in the league.

Finally, while Trevor Harris cemented his top status with a dominant performance in Toronto, the REDBLACKS may have a quarterback controversy on their hands with Jonathon Jennings threatening the top job.

CFL.ca ranks the pivots going into Week 11:

TREVOR HARRIS
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK: 1

After just two touchdown passes in a span of four games, Trevor Harris delivered a gem in Toronto in Week 10, combining for five majors while throwing for 420 yards and no interceptions. When he’s on his game, the CFL’s leading passer is as good as anyone.

MATT NICHOLS WPG
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK: 2

Matt Nichols aired it out in a victory over BC, averaging 14.9 yards per attempt before leaving the game in the second half with an upper body injury. With Nichols leading the CFL in quarterback efficiency (107.2), an injury that will sideline him at least 4-6 weeks could be difficult for the Bombers to overcome.

NICK ARBUCKLE CGY
THIS WEEK: 3 | LAST WEEK: 4

After Bo Levi Mitchell extended his stay on the injured list, backup quarterback Nick Arbuckle had the best start of his young career in Week 10, throwing for 370 yards and four touchdown passes in a losing effort. The sophomore slinger has a bright future in the three-down game.

MIKE REILLY BC
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK: 3

A frustrating season turned even worse for Mike Reilly, who was chased all night by the Bombers’ defence in a 32-16 loss. Reilly now has more interceptions (9) than touchdowns (8) while his team’s playoff hopes are quickly dwindling in a season to forget.

VERNON ADAMS JR MTL
THIS WEEK: 5 | LAST WEEK: IR

Vernon Adams Jr. is making quite a name for himself in the CFL. The Alouettes’ pivot helped his team erase a last-minute two-score deficit, then scored twice in overtime to beat the Stamps at McMahon. The 26-year-old has become one of the league’s must-watch stars.

CODY FAJARDO SSK
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK: 5

Cody Fajardo has done no wrong for the Riders in 2019, compiling a 106.7 quarterback rating while averaging a league-best 9.4 yards per attempt. How will opponents adjust to the first-time starter in the second half of the season? The West is a different kind of tough.

DANE EVANS HAM
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK: 6

Dane Evans is finding his way, helping the Ticats improve to 7-2 despite missing Jeremiah Masoli. The 25-year-old has had ups and downs, like any young quarterback, but there’s no reason to suggest he can’t lead his team to a Grey Cup berth come November.

MCLEOD BETHEL-THOMPSON TOR
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK: 8

It was a losing cause, but the always-efficient McLeod Bethel-Thompson put together another strong outing for the Argos in Week 10, completing 73 per cent of his passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions vs. Edmonton. Still, his grip on the No. 1 job remains tenuous at best.

CHRIS STREVELER WPG
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK: NOT RANKED

Reviews have been mixed on Chris Streveler through his first season and a half of professional football, but the 24-year-old will be counted on with Matt Nichols on the shelf after suffering an upper body injury. A tough road test with the Eskimos would certainly provide an early measuring stick.

DOMINIQUE DAVIS OTT
THIS WEEK: 10 | LAST WEEK: 7

After failing to find the end zone and completing just half of his 40 passing attempts vs. Hamilton, Dominique Davis may no longer be the uncontested starter in Ottawa. It’s been a tough season for Davis, with twice as many interceptions (11) as touchdowns (5) and a 71.9 QB rating.

JONATHON JENNINGS OTT
THIS WEEK: 11 | LAST WEEK: NOT RANKED

With Dominique Davis struggling, the door is wide open for Jonathon Jennings to take over the starting job in the nation’s capital. Once one of the CFL’s fastest rising stars, Jennings’ 2016 campaign in which he broke 5,000 passing yards is becoming a distant memory.

INJURED: ZACH COLLAROS TOR, JAMES FRANKLIN TOR, BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY, JEREMIAH MASOLI HAM

OFF THE LIST: ANTONIO PIPKIN MTL, MATT SHILTZ MTL

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