Another week of CFL football brings another shake-up in the SportsCage.com Power Rankings.
The Montreal Alouettes remain firmly planted at the top of the rankings, but there is plenty of movement behind them – including a dip from the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers made the biggest jumps this week after impressive victories, while the Toronto Argonauts suffered the biggest drop, falling three spots from fifth to eighth.
Here’s how the SportsCage.com CFL Power Rankings look heading into Week 12:
|
LW |
Team |
Ranking |
|
1 |
Montreal Alouettes |
1 |
|
3 |
Edmonton Elks |
2 |
|
2 |
Saskatchewan Roughriders |
3 |
|
6 |
B.C. Lions |
4 |
|
7 |
Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
5 |
|
4 |
Calgary Stampeders |
6 |
|
8 |
Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
7 |
|
5 |
Toronto Argonauts |
8 |
|
9 |
Ottawa Redblacks |
9 |
1. Montreal Alouettes (8-1)
Montreal stays at the top of the SportsCage.com Power Rankings.
The Alouettes continue to set the standard, and nobody has done enough this week to knock them from the No. 1 spot.
The real question now is whether anyone in the CFL can consistently challenge Montreal as the season moves toward the stretch run.
2. Edmonton Elks (7-3)
The Elks make the biggest move among the teams near the top of the rankings, jumping from third to second.
Edmonton bounced back from consecutive losses in emphatic fashion, dismantling the Toronto Argonauts 42-12 at Commonwealth Stadium.
The Elks forced Toronto into six second-half turnovers, turning those miscues into 27 points. That kind of defensive dominance is enough to earn a significant jump in the rankings.
Edmonton also moves ahead of Saskatchewan after the Riders' loss in Hamilton.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-3)
The Roughriders drop one spot to third after a disappointing 26-19 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Saskatchewan had a nine-point fourth-quarter lead but couldn't finish the job.
Tre Ford's arrival off the Hamilton bench changed the game as the Ticats quarterback sparked the comeback with his arm and his legs.
The Riders are still 6-3 and remain one of the CFL's top teams, but the loss in Hamilton costs them a spot in this week's rankings.
4. B.C. Lions (4-5)
Now this is a jump.
The Lions go from sixth to fourth after winning their third straight game, knocking off the Calgary Stampeders 30-26 last Thursday night.
Nathan Rourke threw two touchdown passes to Keon Hatcher Sr. and added a rushing touchdown of his own, while B.C.'s defence came up with the big play when it mattered most.
T.J. Lee's interception of Josh Love in the final seconds sealed the victory.
B.C. is now 4-5 and has won six of its last seven games at McMahon Stadium.
The Lions are suddenly looking like a team nobody wants to see in the second half of the season.
5. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-4)
Winnipeg also makes a significant move, climbing from seventh to fifth.
The Blue Bombers defeated Ottawa 33-21 at Princess Auto Stadium and continue to make their push in the West.
Ottawa stayed within striking distance for much of the second half, but Winnipeg answered when it needed to.
A 33-yard catch by Nic Demski helped set up the late touchdown drive that put the game away.
The Bombers are starting to look like a team finding its stride at the right time.
6. Calgary Stampeders (4-6)
The Stampeders fall two spots to sixth following their second consecutive loss.
Calgary led for much of last Thursday night's game against B.C. and had a chance to win it late, but couldn't finish the job.
The Stamps got nine points from Jude McAtamney in the first quarter and led 18-13 at halftime, but B.C. took control in the second half.
Calgary remains in the playoff conversation, but the margin for error is shrinking.
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-6)
Hamilton moves up one spot to seventh after a comeback victory over Saskatchewan.
The Ticats were staring at a fourth straight loss before Tre Ford came off the bench and changed the game.
Ford finished with 151 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 38 yards on the ground.
Most importantly, he provided the spark Hamilton needed to erase a nine-point, fourth-quarter deficit.
The Ticats are now 4-6 and have some momentum heading into the next stretch of the schedule.
8. Toronto Argonauts (4-5)
The biggest fall of the week belongs to Toronto.
The Argonauts tumble from fifth to eighth after being blown out 42-12 by Edmonton.
Toronto actually entered halftime within striking distance, but everything fell apart in the second half.
The Argos turned the ball over six times after halftime, directly contributing to 27 Edmonton points.
After winning two straight games, Toronto couldn't build on that momentum and now finds itself near the bottom of the rankings.
9. Ottawa Redblacks (0-9)
Ottawa remains in ninth after falling 33-21 to Winnipeg.
The Redblacks hung around for much of the game and made it a five-point contest with just over four minutes remaining.
But Winnipeg responded with a late touchdown drive to put the game out of reach.
Ottawa remains at the bottom of the SportsCage.com rankings, but the gap between the Redblacks and some of the teams above them isn't necessarily as large as the standings might suggest.
The Week 12 SportsCage.com Power Rankings
- Montreal Alouettes — No change
- Edmonton Elks — Up 1
- Saskatchewan Roughriders — Down 1
- B.C. Lions — Up 2
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Up 2
- Calgary Stampeders — Down 2
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats — Up 1
- Toronto Argonauts — Down 3
- Ottawa REDBLACKS — No change
The West continues to tighten up, and with the playoff race taking shape, every week is becoming more important.
And if Week 12 is anything like Week 11, there could be plenty more movement in next week's SportsCage.com Power Rankings.
