The CFL moves into Week 17, which means there are just four weeks remaining in the regular season. The Calgary Stampeders are still the top team in the league as they return fresh and rested after their bye week. Even though they were off, they are now a bigger favorite to win the Grey Cup than before. The rest of the league is struggling to keep up with the Stampeders. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are at 10-4 but every other team in the league is just two games over .500 or worse. Let’s take a look at this week’s power rankings.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +110
The Stampeders (12-1-1) are now well rested for the stretch run, although they’re already in the playoffs and right now, they’re five points ahead of Winnipeg in the West division. That means the bye week is still in play for the Stampeders, so they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas just yet. They’ll be on the road on Friday night to visit Hamilton.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +325
The Blue Bombers (10-4) got down 10-0 by the end of the first quarter and ended up falling 30-13 at home to Hamilton. However, Matt Nichols was 14-of-18 for 158 yards, a touchdown and a pick and then was replaced by Dominique Davis because of a hand injury. Davis was 9-of-14 for 84 yards for the Blue Bombers, who had three turnovers and just 21:41 of possession. Now, they’re awaiting word on the status of Nichols as the Blue Bombers prepare to host British Columbia on Saturday.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +700
The Eskimos (8-6) broke a six-game losing skid with a 42-24 win at Montreal, and they’re fourth in the West, tied with Saskatchewan on 16 points. Mike Reilly was 13-of-29 for 286 yards, two scores and an interception, while Brandon Zylstra had seven catches for 201 yards and a score, and C.J. Gable added 111 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries for the Eskimos, who racked up 485 yards. The Eskimos also had three turnovers, but forced four out of the Alouettes in rainy conditions. The Eskimos are still in control of the playoff picture as they have eight more points than Hamilton, who are third in the East division. They’ll host Toronto on Saturday night.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Argonauts (7-8) are atop the East division by a point after a 27-24 loss at home to Saskatchewan, and they were doomed by a 14-1 deficit in the third quarter. Ricky Ray was 29-of-39 for 341 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, and James Wilder had 13 carries for 72 yards, along with seven catches for 89 yards for the Argonauts, who couldn’t make stops when they needed to and now, they’re in a much tougher position than they needed to be. The Argonauts have a tough trip ahead of them on Saturday as they go to Edmonton.
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Roughriders (8-6) are third in the West division after their win in Toronto, and Brandon Bridges might have staked his claim to the starting role under center. Bridges was 20-of-28 for 292 yards and two touchdowns after he replaced Kevin Glenn, who was 3-of-8 for 29 yards, and even though it is a smaller sample size, Bridge has had a much better year than Glenn. If the Roughriders want to make some noise, it might be time to go to Bridge and it’ll be interesting to see who starts when the Roughriders host Ottawa on Friday.
6. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (6-8-1) came back from 19 points down to beat British Columbia 30-25 on the road as Trevor Harris had a huge game, going 28-of-38 for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Greg Ellingson had seven catches for 149 yards and two scores, while Dionte Spencer added three catches for 116 yards and a touchdown for the RedBlacks, who are a point behind Toronto in the East division, although the Argonauts have a game in hand. Still, this was a game to keep them comfortably in second, at least for the time being, which would get them into the postseason. They’ll be in Saskatchewan on Friday.
7. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +2000
Meanwhile, the Lions (6-8) might have thrown their season away with that loss to Ottawa, because playoff teams don’t give up 19-point leads at home in the second half. Jonathon Jennings was 26-of-40 for 375 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, and Emmanuel Arceneaux had six catches for 103 yards and two scores for the Lions, who stopped playing defense, they had a pair of turnovers and committed 12 penalties. They’re four points out of fourth place and they still have a chance, but this was the worst loss in a disappointing season for the Lions, who head to Winnipeg on Saturday.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week:
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +5000
The Tiger-Cats (4-10) continued to roll in their win in Winnipeg, and Jeremiah Masoli was on fire, going 27-of-33 for 338 yards and two scores, while Alex Green added 97 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, and Brandon Banks had six receptions for 104 yards and a score for the Tiger-Cats. Hamilton had the ball for 38:19, which wore down the Blue Bombers and while they committed 10 penalties, they also forced three turnovers, which helps. The Tiger-Cats are now in third place in the East division, five points behind Ottawa and eight points behind Edmonton in the West. However, the fact that Hamilton isn’t out of it completely after a terrible start is great for them. They’re at home on Friday to kick off Week 17 as they host Calgary.
9. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +6600
The Alouettes (3-12) are almost eliminated from playoff contention after their loss at home to Edmonton as Drew Willy was 19-of-29 for 193 yards and two interceptions, while Tyrell Sutton had 14 carries for 139 yards and a score. However, the Alouettes got down and had to go to the passing game, which has been the kiss of death for them all season and they’re all but done now. They have a bye week this week to prepare for the stretch run, but the Alouettes might need a miracle to get into the playoffs at this point.
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