3DownNation power rankings: Riders win battle for sole control of second place

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The 3DownNation power rankings have been tallied following Week 13 of the 2021 CFL season.

Last week, our rankings featured a second place tie, with the Montreal Alouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders both making compelling cases to be called the league’s best team not locate in Winnipeg. Fittingly, the two sides faced off this week and the victorious Riders are now all alone behind the Bombers. It’s enough to bring a tear to the eye of watermelon-wearers everywhere.

Our power rankings are created by having our contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. Last week’s rankings are listed in brackets.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on Twitter for anything you feel we’ve got wrong.

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1)

When you are the most dominant team in the league, you can put your feet up on a bye without ever worrying about losing your power rankings crown. Even on a break the Bombers got a win, with the league granting a time change for their already clinched West Final appearance.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (T-2)

It wasn’t particularly pretty, but the Riders hung on for a hard fought win over the Alouettes thanks to some stifling defence and a potent pass rush. The offence is still a question mark however and could be more so after receiver Kyran Moore suffered a serious knee injury.

T-3. Toronto Argonauts (6)

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie almost gave away a victory with some embarrassing clock management in the final minute, but the Toronto Argonauts still pulled it out in overtime. Thanks to a Dion Pellerin two-point conversion, the Boatmen are playoff bound for the first time since 2017.

T-3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5)

Hamilton’s recent winning streak may have come against duds like Ottawa and now Edmonton, but they’ve done it in dominant fashion. Most importantly, quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is finally firing on all cylinders at just the right time.

5. Calgary Stampeders (4)

A matchup with the Ottawa Redblacks felt like a trap and an early deficit proved it, but the Stampeders stormed back for another decisive victory. Along the way, defensive end Shawn Lemon entered some elite company with his 77th career sack.

6. Montreal Alouettes (T-2)

A loss to the Riders makes the Alouettes this week’s biggest faller but that may not be their biggest worry. A sub-par outing from Matthew Shiltz’s led to newly acquired Trevor Harris being pushed into action in his very first game.

7. B.C. Lions (7)

Having now suffered five straight losses, the B.C. Lions’ playoff hopes are slipping away and the recipe for for a consistent offence (or kicking game) seems out of reach. At least this loss took overtime, rather than a blowout.

8. Ottawa Redblacks (8)

No Marcel Desjardins, same old Redblacks thanks to the talent he left them. Without a viable quarterback or offensive line there will be no winning in the nation’s capital, but at least they have cool Halloween costumes.

9. Edmonton Elks (9)

Welcome to Edmonton, where the most exciting part of games now is when their star running back goes WWE Smackdown on linebackers. Things just keep getting worse in the City of (former) Champions.