The Calgayr Stampeders remain entrenched at the top of the CFL power rankings but now their odds to win the Grey Cup are at EVEN money. That’s an astounding price considering the playoffs haven’t even started. That goes to show just how dominant they have been this season and how much they’re expected to win it. It shouldn’t come as a complete shock as the expectation is that if the Stampeders can make it out of the West Division playoffs, they should have no problem with the team from the East in the Grey Cup. After all, there isn’t a team from the East that has a record above .500. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this week’s CFL power rankings:
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: Even
The Stampeders (13-1-1) jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the first quarter and held on for a 28-25 win in Hamilton. Bo Levi Mitchell was 19-of-34 for 279 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while Marquay McDaniel had six catches for 87 yards for the Stampeders, who overcame a pair of turnovers and nine penalties for 79 yards; fortunately, the Tiger-Cats made even more mistakes. The Stampeders have a five-point lead atop the West as they return home to host Saskatchewan on Friday.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +333
The Blue Bombers (11-4) clinched their playoff spot with a 26-20 win at home over British Columbia, and they’re five points back of Calgary. Matt Nichols went 23-of-30 for 172 yards, and Kevin Fogg returned a punt 88 yards for a score for the Blue Bombers, who had just 232 yards of offense, but their defense had a pair of interceptions. The Blue Bombers are now trying to solidify a home game in the playoffs as they prepare to visit Toronto on Saturday.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +700
The Eskimos (9-6) edged Toronto 30-27 at home as Mike Reilly was 23-of-40 for 309 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while running three times for 34 yards and a score. C.J. Gable had 15 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown for the Eskimos, who had eight penalties for 98 yards, but they still managed to clinch their playoff spot. The Eskimos are four points behind Winnipeg as they visit British Columbia on Saturday.
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Roughriders (8-7) fell 33-32 at home to Ottawa as their defense couldn’t make any stops. Kevin Glenn went 29-of-39 for 387 yards, two touchdowns and two picks, and Duron Carter had 11 receptions for 231 yards for the Roughriders, who had the ball for 38:19, which means their defense gave up 33 points in just over 21 minutes. The Roughriders have a tough task ahead of them on Friday as they travel to face Calgary.
5. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Argonauts (7-9) took a late lead in Edmonton, but ended up losing to the Eskimos on the road. Ricky Ray was 32-of-42 for 362 yards, a touchdown and a pick, while S.J. Green had 13 catches for 159 yards and a score for the Argonauts, who had nine penalties for 100 yards and they committed a pair of turnovers to doom themselves. Still, the Argonauts are second in the East, just a single point behind Ottawa (who are on a bye this week) as they are home to host Winnipeg on Saturday.
6. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (7-8-1) are now in first in the East and they clinched their spot in the postseason after their big win in Saskatchewan, and Trevor Harris was 17-of-33 for 262 yards, a pair of scores and an interception. The RedBlacks were very efficient for only having the ball for 21:41 of the game, even though they did have a pair of turnover and 10 penalties for 84 yards. The RedBlacks are off this week, so they’re going to rest up for a push to keep the top spot in the East, which means a bye in the first round and then a home game.
7. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +2200
The Lions (6-9) are last in the West after their loss in Winnipeg, and they’re four points behind Saskatchewan, which means they still have a chance to get into the crossover spot. Jonathon Jennings was 24-of-39 for 267 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, and Jeremiah Johnson had 11 carries for 67 yards for the Lions, who lost the turnover battle thanks to Jennings’ picks, and they had 11 penalties for 97 yards. The Lions have now lost four in a row and are on the verge of collapsing, but they can turn things around on Saturday as they get ready to host Edmonton in what is now a huge game.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week:
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +5000
The Tiger-Cats (4-11) got off to a slow start and that was their downfall in their home loss to Calgary, but they did look determined to erase the memories of an early-season 60-1 loss in Calgary. Jeremiah Masoli was 24-of-41 for 326 yards and an interception, and he had eight carries for 29 yards and a score. Brandon Banks had six catches for 115 yards for the Tiger-Cats, who had seven penalties for 141 yards and three turnovers and against a team as good as the Stampeders, you can’t afford to make that many mistakes and come away with a win.
9. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +6600
The Alouettes (3-12) are in last place in the East after their bye week, and they have lost eight games in a row now. They have six points, which is two less than Hamilton, but the Tiger-Cats are chasing Saskatchewan, who are fourth in the West and are in the crossover spot, with 16 points. With three game left, the Alouettes are out of the playoff picture and it was a tough season overall for Montreal, who fired head coach Jacques Chapdelaine when the team was 3-8. At this point, the Alouettes are playing for next season’s jobs and pride as they are at home on Sunday to host Hamilton, whom Montreal can take a lesson from as their season was sunk, but they have put up a fight. That is what the Alouettes need to do as a team.
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