Heading into Week 4 of the CFL season, we have seen a lot of interesting action in the first few weeks. The Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos remain as the only two undefeated teams, although the Stamps did tie. The Stamps offense has been the best in the business as they’re the only team to surpass 100 points scored (103). As a matter of fact, only one other team has more than 78. As far as defense goes, the Eskimos lead the way in that regard as their defensive units have allowed a measly 46 points. That’s a big reason why these two teams are No. 1 and No. 2 in the power rankings.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +250
The Stampeders (2-0-1) outscored Winnipeg 20-0 in the second half of a 29-10 win on the road. Bo Levi Mitchell went 22-of-34 with 332 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw two picks. However, Calgary’s defense also had a couple interceptions to cancel out their quarterback’s mistakes, although they’re still tied for eighth in points allowed overall. The Stampeders, who lead the league in points scored, will play their next game on Friday night as they head to Montreal.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +400
The Eskimos (2-0-0), like their bitter rivals from Calgary, are also undefeated going into Week 4. However, Edmonton is coming off a bye week, so they didn’t have a chance to put their record on the line. They’ll get back on the field at home on Friday night in the late game as they welcome Ottawa to town.
3. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +500
The Lions (2-1-0) got a big game from their quarterback in a 23-16 win in Montreal. Jonathon Jennings was 28-of-39 through the air with 288 yards and a touchdown, but more importantly, no picks. He also ran five times for 27 yards for the Lions, who had no turnovers and forced an interception. Coming out of the backfield, Jeremiah Johnson had 12 rushes for 34 yards and a score for British Columbia, who travel to Hamilton on Saturday night. The Lions have to stop giving up sacks to move up the ranks as they’ve allowed 10, which is the most in the CFL.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +700
The Blue Bombers (1-1-0) couldn’t get out of their own way in their loss to the Stampeders at home, and quarterback Matt Nichols was the main culprit. Nichols was 27-of-40 for 267 yards and a score, but he was picked off twice, one of which went back the other way for a touchdown by Calgary’s Maleki Harris. Nichols was also sacked three times in the game, so the offensive line has to be better this week. The Blue Bombers will stay at home as they prepare to host Toronto on Thursday night to kick off the week’s action in the CFL.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Tiger-Cats (0-2-0) remain without a win as they fell 37-20 in Saskatchewan, failing to score in the fourth quarter. Zach Collaros was 19-of-34 for 189 yards and a touchdown, but the Hamilton offense could never really get going as they gained just 216 yards in total. On the ground, the Tiger-Cats couldn’t do anything with 27 yards on 10 attempts. The offense had the ball for just 23:39, so of course, the defense wore down eventually. The Tiger-Cats and their dead-last offense have to get out to a fast start on Saturday night when they host the Lions.
6. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: —
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The RedBlacks (0-2-1) jumped out to an 11-0 lead after the first quarter at home against Toronto, but ended up falling 26-25 to the Argonauts. Ottawa was also up 12-1 at the half, but they couldn’t close the deal and get their first win of the season. Trevor Harris was 30-of-43 for 370 yards and a pair of touchdowns along with one interception for the RedBlacks, who also got 51 yards on the ground from Mossis Madu. In the end, the offense lost its spark and Harris was sacked five times, which had something to do with it. Ottawa’s six turnovers leads the CFL, and that is something they need to fix before they travel to Edmonton for Friday night’s late game.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: —
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
It took the Argonauts (2-1-0) a while to get going, but their offense finally clicked in the second half against the RedBlacks, scoring 25 points. Ricky Ray went 27-of-41 for 366 yards and a pair of touchdowns with no picks for the Argonauts. Ray’s main target was S.J. Green, who went wild with 10 catches for 210 yards and a score. Also, the defense definitely picked it up, especially in a scoreless third quarter for the RedBlacks that allowed the Argonauts to get back into the game. Toronto now has 14 sacks on the season to lead the CFL; the closest team is Calgary with seven. The Argonauts, who are atop the East Division by two points over Montreal, will kick off Week 4 for the CFL in Winnipeg on Thursday night.
8. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: —
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Alouettes (1-2-0) fell just short in their home loss to the Lions as the offense had their chances, but they just couldn’t capitalize on many of them. Darian Durant was 24-of-36 for 245 yards and a pick, but no touchdowns, although he ran four times for 27 yards. Tyrell Sutton ran nine times for 54 yards and a score for the Alouettes, whose defense did their best to keep them in the game, but only Hamilton has scored fewer points than Montreal this season. The Alouettes’ offense needs to find another gear in Friday’s early game against the powerful Stampeders.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: —
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1100
The Roughriders (1-2-0) exploded in their win over the Tiger-Cats as Kevin Glenn was 32-of-43 for 380 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, along with a pair of rushing scores. Cameron Marshall ran for 71 yard for the Roughriders, who dominated the Tiger-Cats on both sides of the ball for their first win of the season. They still have to be more consistent, ranking third in points scored, but eighth in points allowed. The Roughriders get this week’s bye.
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