This will be the last edition of our weekly CFL power rankings as the playoff matchups are set. As we enter the final week of the regular season, three teams are already planning for next year. The six that are in are figuring out where they’re going to play in the postseason, although the overall favorites already know. Calgary continues to roll as they are the top dog. They are a humongous favorite at EVEN money. However, they are coming off a very surprising performance that might cause some concern. The Stamps not only lost but were crushed last week by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. We’ll have to see if the Stamps can turn things around or whether someone else can get in the running for the Grey Cup.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: Even
The Stampeders (13-2-1) looked lackluster in a 30-7 loss to Saskatchewan at home, but they have the top spot clinched in the West, which means a bye straight to the division finals. Bo Levi Mitchell struggled as he was 14-of-27 for 136 yards and two interceptions for the Stampeders, who had just 185 yards of offense, three turnovers and 12 penalties for 112 yards. It wasn’t a good performance for the Stampeders, who will head to Edmonton for a showdown with the Eskimos on Saturday.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +250
The Blue Bombers (11-5) came up just short in a 29-28 loss in Toronto, leaving them in second place in the West. Matt Nichols was 25-of-33 for 268 yards and a touchdown, while Weston Dressler had eight catches for 129 yards and a score for the Blue Bombers, who gave up 572 yards to the Argonauts and that won’t get you far. The Blue Bombers return home on Saturday to host British Columbia.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +700
The Eskimos (10-6) outscored British Columbia 23-7 in the fourth quarter and overtime of a 35-29 win on the road as Mike Reilly was 31-of-41 for 397 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Adarius Bowman had nine receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown for the Eskimos, who left it until late, but they’re still in the hunt for second place in the West, and that would give them a home game in the division semifinals, which is all they can ask for at this point. They’ll host the Stampeders in a Saturday night showdown for Alberta bragging rights.
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Roughriders (9-7) are in the postseason after they shocked the Stampeders on the road, and it wasn’t really the offense that did it as Brandon Bridge was 10-of-19 for 133 yards and a pair of interceptions. Receiver Duron Carter had to play cornerback for the Roughriders and scored a pick-six, while Christion Jones scored on a 61-yard punt return in a team performance for Saskatchewan. The Roughriders are two points behind the Eskimos in the West as they get ready to host Montreal on Friday night.
5. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Argonauts (8-9) lead the East by a point after they edged Winnipeg at home, and it was a big game for the offense as Ricky Ray was 32-of-43 for 423 yards, a touchdown and a pick. James Wilder had 112 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 18 carries, along with seven catches for 85 yards. DeVier Posey added 128 yards on five catches for the Argonauts, who overcame a pair of turnovers and nine penalties for 81 yards with an offense that wouldn’t quit, and now they’re in pole position for a bye to the division finals as they head into a bye week.
6. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (7-9-1) are coming off their bye week as they are second in the East, and they have Hamilton at home on Friday night. However, they might rue the schedule as this is their final regular-season game; they have Week 20 off as well. That means if they lose this week against the Tiger-Cats, Toronto’s regular-season finale against British Columbia is basically a bye week for the Argonauts.
7. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 7
The Lions (6-10) gave up a big lead in their overtime loss to Edmonton, and their fifth loss in a row knocked them out of the playoff picture. Jonathon Jennings was 25-of-31 for 212 yards and a touchdown, while Bryan Burnham had five catches for 62 yards and a score for the Lions, whose defense couldn’t get a stop in the fourth quarter or overtime and now, they have a lot of questions to ask heading into the final two weeks of the season and the offseason. A lot of people on and off the field are playing for their jobs for next season, and it’ll be interesting to see how they come out on Saturday on the road against Winnipeg.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 8
The Tiger-Cats (5-11) romped to a 43-16 win in Montreal and even though they missed the playoffs anyway. They can take to heart how well they play in the second half of the season. Jeremiah Masoli was 19-of-28 for 320 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brandon Banks had six receptions for 129 yards and a score (Banks also returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown) for the Tiger-Cats. Hamilton started the season 0-8 and had a slew of problems on and off the field. It got to the point that the CFL head office had to step in and block the hiring of Art Briles. Hamilton picked it up in the second half of the season and replacing Zach Collaros with Masoli was a big part of that. The Tiger-Cats will be in Ottawa on Friday night.
9. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 9
The Alouettes (3-13) came out of their bye week with no life in their loss to the Tigers at home. Like the Lions, they have a lot of people on and off the field that have jobs on the line. Darian Durant was 8-of-14 for 92 yards, a touchdown and a pick before being replaced by Matt Shiltz. Shiltz was 15-of-22 for 167 yards and an interception, and he also ran four times for 30 yards. The Alouettes had 14 penalties for 151 yards and they have to show some pride on Friday in Saskatchewan.
Click here to bet on the CFL football futures for the 2017 season right now. DSI will have futures as well as all of the weekly lines, totals and props once the season gets underway!
