The Edmonton Eskimos were one of the biggest surprises through the early part of the CFL season but that great story has faded. The Eskimos, who were undefeated through their first seven games, have now lost three straight as things continue to get uglier for them by the week. This time, they were smoked by the Calgary Stampeders on Labour Day by a final score of 39-18. The Eskies have now been outscored 126-75 in their last three games. If you’re a betting man and you’ve been tracking the odds, you’d see that they were the favorite to win the Grey Cup for a very brief period of time but now they are down to +350 and continue to fade.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +225
The Stampeders (8-1-1) jumped out to a 26-6 halftime lead and never looked back in a 39-18 romp over Edmonton at home on Labor Day, and the defense was the story with four forced turnovers and three sacks. Bo Levi Mitchell was 19-of-27 for 277 yards and a pick, while Jerome Messam ran 13 times for 61 yards and two scores. However, the defense has been playing very well in recent wins and the Stampeders look unbeatable as they head to Edmonton for the rematch on Saturday night.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +350
The Eskimos (7-3-0) have now lost three in a row and are in danger of slipping down the rankings in the West, and they shot themselves in the foot with all those turnovers. Mike Reilly was 34-of-53 for 320 yards and two touchdowns, but he also had two interceptions on the day. Their defense couldn’t stop anyone and the special teams allowed a punt-return touchdown as well. The Eskimos really have to dig deep on Saturday when they host the Stampeders.
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +600
The Blue Bombers (7-3-0) got down early and couldn’t recover in a 38-24 loss in Saskatchewan, as they were down 24-3 by the end of the first quarter. Matt Nichols was 35-of-47 for 364 yards and two touchdowns, but he was picked off twice, while Andrew Harris ran nine times for 29 yards, but caught 10 passes for 72 yards and a score. Three turnovers didn’t help the Blue Bombers’ cause at all, but they’re still in second place in the West and within shouting distance of the Stampeders. They’ll hos the Roughriders in a rematch on Saturday afternoon.
4. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +650
The Lions (5-5-0) actually had the bye last week, so they should be rested as they welcome Montreal to the West coast. British Columbia would be leading the East with their record, so they can take some solace in that, but right now, they’re out of a spot in the playoff race and they can’t afford to drop many more points. This is a game that they should win and they’ll be out to put the pressure on the Roughriders as the Lions play on Friday night.
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 8
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Roughriders (5-4-0) stormed out of the gate against the Blue Bombers and kept going at them to move up in this week’s power rankings. Kevin Glenn was 26-of-36 for 386 yards and three touchdowns, while Bakari Gran caught seven passes for 139 yards, and he was one of three Saskatchewan receivers to break the 100-yard mark. The Roughriders are rolling after a tough start, but they have to keep the momentum going as they head to Winnipeg on Saturday for the rematch, and the Blue Bombers will be ready for them.
6. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Argonauts (4-7-0) became the first team to lose to Hamilton this season, falling 24-22 on the road in a rain-soaked game. Ricky Ray was 34-of-47 for 325 yards, two touchdowns and a pick for the Argonauts, while S.J. Green had nine catches for 103 yards. It was a tough day for the Argonauts, who are still only a point out of first place in the East, which says a lot about the division. However, they do get a bye this week to figure things out and get over the embarrassment of losing to Hamilton, even though it was a rivalry game and on the road.
7. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Alouettes (3-7-0) looked listless in a 32-4 loss at home to Ottawa as Darian Durant was 12-of-21 for 140 yards and a pick before being replaced in the third quarter. Drew Willy came on to go 8-of-11 for 98 yards, but you have to wonder if those numbers came after the RedBlacks knew they had the game in hand, so it’ll be interesting to see who starts the next game. The offense was bad and the defense tired as they were on the field for over 36 minutes, so it was all-around a bad game for the Alouettes, who are still in the hunt for first place in the East, just three points behind Ottawa. Montreal heads to British Columbia on Thursday night.
8. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (4-6-1) should be higher than Montreal after their mauling of the Alouettes, and they now lead the East. Trevor Harris was 32-of-41 for 343 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, and Greg Ellingson caught four passes for 89 yards and a score for the RedBlacks, who overcame three turnovers. Luckily, their defense forced a couple turnovers and Montreal couldn’t quit penalties, committing 11 for 138 yards. The RedBlacks will be at home on Saturday to host Hamilton.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +2500
The Tiger-Cats (1-8-0) finally won their first game of the season as they held off Toronto at home, and it was the first game after they fired Kent Austin and replaced him with June Jones. Jeremiah Masoli got the nod at quarterback and went 19-of-33 for 219 yards, a touchdown and a pick for the Tiger-Cats, who looked inspired on both sides of the ball for the first time in weeks and if nothing else, they showed some pride. It’s highly unlikely, but they’re only seven games out of first place in the East and if they run the table, they might have a shot at the playoffs, which again, tells you all you need to know about the East. They’ll travel to Ottawa on Saturday.
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