3DownNation power rankings: Ticats come crashing down to earth

Photo courtesy: Ticats.ca / CFL / Peter Power

The 3DownNation power rankings have been tallied following Week 15 of the 2021 CFL season.

The Argos clinched a first-round bye week, the Elks continued their losing streak, the Lions will miss the postseason for a second-straight year, Duke Williams and Reggie Begelton were dominant, and it appears that the Blue Bombers don’t have a backup quarterback. What a week!

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)

Our voters were not discouraged by Winnipeg’s 28-14 loss to Montreal, which seems fair given that the club rested over a half-dozen starters. It’s a good thing Zach Collaros is remained healthy all season because backup Sean McGuire was dismal in a four-interception performance against the Alouettes.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (2)

Duke Williams had his breakout game in Green and White, making eight receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. The victory may have come over the lowly Elks, but it’s hard to overlook the Riders when they clinched second place and a home playoff game in the competitive West Division.

3. Calgary Stampeders (4)

Reggie Begelton breathed life into Calgary’s offence following a stint in the NFL, catching seven passes for 119 yards and one touchdown. He took a scary hit near the end of the game but head coach Dave Dickenson thinks he’s OK. The Stamps have underachieved all year but Begelton could be the key to unlocking some postseason success.

4. Toronto Argonauts (5)

The Boatmen have secured first place in the East Division with a 9-4 record after dusting their rivals to the southwest. McLeod Bethel-Thompson was unspectacular but consistent under centre, while the defence generated two interceptions and two sacks. The road to the Grey Cup now officially travels through The Six.

5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2)

The Ticats coughed up an opportunity to host the East Final, getting smacked 31-12 by the Argos at BMO Field. Jeremiah Masoli missed a number of early long bombs and the offence never settled in with the veteran throwing a pick-six to Chris Edwards on the team’s final offensive play of the game.

6. Montreal Alouettes (6)

Trevor Harris looked awfully comfortable under centre for the Als, throwing three touchdown passes and zero interceptions in a win over Winnipeg’s B-squad. Eugene Lewis continues to prove why he is the league’s most underrated receiver, while the defence feasted on a young Sean McGuire.

7. B.C. Lions (7)

The Leos will officially miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season after a disappointing loss to the Stamps. On a seven-game losing streak and just 1-5 at home, it’s fair to start asking whether or not B.C. needs to undergo massive changes this off-season to jumpstart the Amar Doman era.

8. Edmonton Elks (9)

The Elks have lost eight straight games, though quarterback Taylor Cornelius continues to show signs of improvement. He has now thrown for six touchdowns and one interception over his last four starts, though it’s possible we’ll see Dakota Prukop or Nick Arbuckle under centre over Edmonton’s two remaining contests.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (8)

#IsItDecemberYet?