SportsCage.com Week 16 CFL Power Rankings: There’s a new number one; the Riders continue to slide

The Edmonton Elks are the new No. 1 team in the SportsCage.com CFL Power Rankings.

And this time, there really isn't much to argue about. The Elks didn't just beat the Calgary Stampeders in Saturday's Battle of Alberta rematch. They dismantled them.

Edmonton scored 34 points in the second half, turned Calgary's mistakes into 20 points and walked away with a 53-16 victory. That kind of performance gets you noticed. It also gets you the top spot.

After sitting second last week, Edmonton takes over No. 1 for the first time this season. The Elks have now swept the home-and-home series with Calgary, clinched a playoff spot, and look like a team that could make a serious run when the games really matter.

Meanwhile, Montreal is no longer king of the hill. The Alouettes fall to second after getting blown out 48-29 by the B.C. Lions on Saturday night. It's the first time Montreal has been knocked out of the top spot since Week 7.

That's a long run at No. 1, but the Alouettes looked nothing like the team that had been dominating the rankings. They gave up 48 points and couldn't keep pace with Nathan Rourke and the Lions offence.

B.C. is back on the rise.

The Lions move up to third, flipping spots with Saskatchewan after winning six of their last seven games. The Riders, meanwhile, take a step backward.

1. Edmonton Elks (10-3) — LW: 2

The Elks are the team to beat.

Edmonton has officially taken over the top spot, and after what happened in Calgary. It's hard to argue.

The Elks crushed the Stampeders 53-16, scoring 34 points in the second half and turning Calgary's mistakes into a full-blown disaster.

Cody Fajardo threw three touchdown passes. The defence forced three turnovers. Special teams even got in on the action with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

That's not just a win. That's a statement. The Elks are now at the top of the SportsCage.com rankings.

2. Montreal Alouettes (10-3) — LW: 1

Welcome back to earth.

Montreal has been the class of the CFL for much of the season, but Saturday night was a reminder that nobody gets a free pass.

The Alouettes got blown out 48-29 by B.C. That's not the kind of performance you expect from the No. 1 team in the league.

Davis Alexander threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns, but the Montreal defence couldn't slow down Nathan Rourke and the Lions.

The Alouettes are still 10-3 and remain a very good football team. But this week, they're No. 2.

3. B.C. Lions (7-6) — LW: 4

The Lions are back in the conversation.

B.C. has now won six of its last seven games, and Saturday night's 48-29 win over Montreal was the kind of victory that makes people sit up and pay attention.

Nathan Rourke was outstanding. Zander Horvath scored three touchdowns. The Lions outscored the Als 10-0 in the first quarter and 17-6 in the second half.

That's a pretty good way to announce that you're not going away quietly. B.C. flips spots with Saskatchewan and moves into third.

4. Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) — LW: 3

The Labour Day rematch was a reality check.

After beating Winnipeg in overtime the previous week, the Riders went into the Banjo Bowl looking to make a statement. Instead, they got shut down.

The Bombers beat Saskatchewan 19-6, holding the Riders to just 116 net yards in the first half and forcing Trevor Harris into a pair of interceptions. Harris finished with 231 yards and no touchdown passes.

That's not the kind of offensive performance that gets you into the top three. Saskatchewan is still 8-5 and very much in the playoff picture, but the Riders take a step back this week.

5. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-6) — LW: 5

The Bombers are heating up.

Winnipeg has now won five of its last six Banjo Bowls, and Saturday's 19-6 victory over Saskatchewan was another reminder that this team can still play defence.

Redha Kramdi made an immediate impact in his return, forcing a fumble and picking off Trevor Harris. Brady Oliveira ran for 100 yards. Zach Collaros threw a touchdown pass before leaving the game with an injury.

The Bombers improved to 7-6, and suddenly the West playoff race looks a whole lot more interesting.

6. Toronto Argonauts (7-6) — LW: 6

Not pretty. Still a win.

Toronto needed a walk-off field goal from Lirim Hajrullahu to beat Ottawa 26-23. But the Argos will take it.

Chad Kelly threw for 443 yards and two touchdowns, despite tossing two interceptions before halftime.

David Ungerer III had 175 yards receiving, and Toronto did enough late to get the job done.

The Argos stay sixth.

7. Calgary Stampeders (5-8) — LW: 7

A 53-16 loss is hard to explain away.

Calgary was competitive early against Edmonton. Then the wheels came off.

The Stamps gave up 34 points in the second half and watched a close game turn into a blowout.

Vernon Adams Jr. and the Calgary offence couldn't keep pace, while Edmonton's big plays repeatedly burned the defence.

Calgary stays seventh by default. There is no question the Stampeders are trending in the wrong direction.

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-9) — LW: 8

Still stuck in eighth.

Hamilton remains in the same spot this week after a bye week.

The Ticats haven't done enough to convince voters they're ready to move up the rankings.

At this stage of the season, consistency matters, and Hamilton hasn't provided much reason to change its position.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (0-12) — LW: 9

Still looking for that first win.

Ottawa fought hard against Toronto but couldn't finish the job.

The Redblacks lost 26-23 on a last-play field goal, leaving them still searching for their first victory of the season.

They remain the unanimous No. 9 choice among the SportsCage.com contributors.

SportsCage.com Week 16 CFL Power Rankings

The top spot belongs to Edmonton.

Montreal is no longer No. 1 for the first time since Week 7.

B.C. is making a move, Saskatchewan is taking a step back, and Winnipeg is lurking.

The West is getting interesting, and the Elks have just put the rest of the CFL on notice.