As we start week six of the CFL season, the Edmonton Eskimos find themselves atop the standings. They have been one of the pleasant surprises of this young season. They are currently the last undefeated team at 4-0 and they’ve been getting the job done on the strength of their defense. They have allowed just 95 points so far, which is the best in the CFL. No other team has allowed less than 107.
Even though the Eskies are a perfect 4-0, they still aren’t viewed as the team to beat by the odds makers. That goes to the Calgary Stampeders, who are 3-1-1 so far and have scored the most points in the league at 153.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +240
The Stampeders (3-1-1) got back on track with a 27-10 win at home over Saskatchewan, and they’re now third in the West. The Stampeders jumped out to a 17-0 lead by halftime and never looked back as Bo Levi Mitchell was 16-of-28 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. On the ground, Jerome Messam ran 28 times for 135 yards and a score for Calgary, who also got three sacks from Charleston Hughes and two more from James Vaughters. The Stampeders will stay at home this week to host Hamilton on Saturday night.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +425
The Eskimos (4-0-0) remain unbeaten after edging Hamilton 31-28 on the road as Mike Reilly was 27-of-37 for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Zylstra caught eight passes for 113 yards, while the defense forced three turnovers. The West-leading Eskimos never panicked and outscored the Tiger-Cats 18-3 in the fourth quarter to remain perfect, and next, they’ll welcome British Columbia to town on Friday night in a meeting of the top two in the West.
3. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +475
The Lions (4-1-0) were down 15 points in the fourth quarter against Winnipeg, but outscored the Blue Bombers 18-0 in the final stanza to win 45-42. Travis Lulay had a mixed game as he went 28-of-43 for 404 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while he ran for another score. However, he was also picked off twice. Bryan Burnham had six catches for 149 yards for the Lions, who forced three turnovers in a wild game. British Columbia is level on points with Edmonton, but sit in second place due to a tiebreaker (winning percentage as Edmonton has played just four games). This week’s trip to Edmonton is massive.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +700
The Blue Bombers (2-2-0) squandered a brilliant chance to move up in the West by capitulating in British Columbia, and are now fourth in the West. Matt Nichols was 28-of-36 for 254 yards, three touchdowns and a pick, and he also ran for a touchdown. Darvin Adams had five catches for 87 yards and a pair of scores for the Blue Bombers, but the defense simply couldn’t hold on for the win and the offense and special teams also made some mistakes. The Blue Bombers return home to kick off Week 6 on Thursday against Montreal.
5. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Alouettes (2-3-0) tried to battle back from an 11-point halftime deficit, but fell just short in a 24-19 loss in Ottawa. Darien Durant was 35-of-45 for 452 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions on the day. The Alouettes also had a pair of fumbles and turned the ball over once on downs; turning the ball over five times in a game won’t help your situation. The Alouettes now sit in second place in the East as they prepare for their trip to Winnipeg on Thursday night.
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Tiger-Cats (0-4-0) are still searching for their first win of the regular season as they lost to the Eskimos. Like Winnipeg, they’ll also be scratching their heads after giving up their 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. Zach Collaros went 22-of-36 for 249 yards and a touchdown, while he was picked off twice, while Ross Scheurman had 10 rushes for 68 yards. But three turnovers (one fumble) really hurt Hamilton’s cause, while the defense couldn’t stop Edmonton in the fourth quarter and the offense couldn’t run out the clock. The Tiger-Cats now find themselves behind the eight-ball as they head to Calgary on Saturday night, and they need to get out of the basement in the East.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The Argonauts (3-2-0) stayed on top of the East with a 27-24 win at home over Ottawa, and Toronto showed a lot of heart to hold on in what was an exciting game. Ricky Ray was 40-of-55 for 367 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Anthony Coombs caught eight passes for 73 yards and a score for the Argonauts, who held the ball for 35:13. The Argonauts also won the turnover battle as they turned it over just once on downs, while forcing three out of the RedBlacks. Toronto will aim to stay in first place in the East as they head to Saskatchewan on Saturday night.
8. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 8
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +900
The RedBlacks (1-4-1) had every chance to beat the Argonauts, but the turnovers really did them in. Trevor Harris went 16-of-26 for 184 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, and William Powell ran the ball 13 times for 69 yards for the RedBlacks, who have now given up a CFL-high 169 points. If they could sort out their defense, they would be in good shape as they’re tied with British Columbia for the league lead in points with 164.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The Roughriders (1-3-0) are at the bottom of the West as they were punched in the mouth early in Calgary and eventually fell 27-10. Kevin Glenn was 20-of-29 for 203 yards for the Roughriders, who got a little momentum in the second half, but it was far too late by that point and every time it seemed like they were on, the Stampeders would get one of their five sacks. The Roughriders will return home on Saturday night to host Toronto.
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