Week 10 of the 2024 CFL regular season is officially in the books, which means it’s time to reassess how the league’s nine teams stack up.
3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having twelve contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. The previous week’s rankings are in brackets. As always, please be sure to check back every Monday morning for our updated power rankings following each week of action in the CFL.
Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on Twitter — yes, we still call it “Twitter” — for anything you think we got wrong.
1) Montreal Alouettes (1)
There’s no use debating who the toast of the CFL is at the midway point of the year, as the Montreal Alouettes are enjoying their best start to a campaign in two decades. Backup QB Davis Alexander continued to flash moments of brilliance in his second start, rookie receiver Charleston Rambo put up 124 yards and two scores, and linebacker Darnell Sankey silenced the Ticats with two early takeaways. The only blot on this week’s performance was that star Canadian pass catcher Tyson Philpot left the game with an injury and will need an MRI to determine his timeline for return.
2) Saskatchewan Roughriders (4)
With a mass of important bodies out of the lineup, Saskatchewan’s tie with Ottawa should qualify as a moral victory — even if fans feel like they were robbed of a real win by the command centre. Corey Mace’s defence continues to give the team a chance, even on a night during which Shea Patterson threw three interceptions, while Mario Alford remains dangerous in the return game. With Trevor Harris’ return seemingly imminent, an offensive leap could make the Riders really dangerous.
3) Ottawa Redblacks (2)
The Redblacks didn’t do anything to diminish their status as a contender in a tie with Saskatchewan but may have had the most chaotic week of any team in the league. Starting quarterback Dru Brown went down with an injured leg in the first half and Dustin Crum held down the fort into double overtime, which was capped by a heated altercation between head coach Bob Dyce and an unknown individual on the sideline. The instigator has since been vilified and Dyce switched focus back to his QB room, naming veteran Jeremiah Masoli the starter for next week.
4) Toronto Argonauts (7)
The Argonauts rocketed up our board as they continue to win without great quarterbacking, as Nick Arbuckle threw for just 181 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his first start of the year. Scores in the two other phases of the game, including a pick-six from DaShaun Amos and a punt return major from Janarion Grant, more than compensated for a meagre offensive output. The Boatmen now enter the bye week awaiting word on the status of Chad Kelly, whose psych assessment is being reviewed by the league before a verdict is reached on potential reinstatement.
5) B.C. Lions (3)
The Leos suffered a third straight loss on Sunday as Jake Dolegala struggled in place of an injured Vernon Adams Jr., completing 14-of-23 passes for 146 yards before being replaced late by rookie Chase Brice. Head coach Rick Campbell made a questionable decision to gamble on third-and-five early in the second quarter, while B.C.’s injury-riddled defence allowed an even 200 yards along the ground. Once viewed as the easy front-runner atop the West Division, the Lions are suddenly under pressure to end a significant losing skid.
6) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5)
The Blue Bombers enjoyed a quiet bye week but look poised for a turnaround after their shutout win over B.C. two weeks ago. A previously non-existent pass rush is starting fire on all cylinders with TyJuan Garbutt, Lucky Whitehead was a nice addition to the offence, and Kenny Lawler could be nearing his return from a fractured arm. The season series between Winnipeg and the Lions will be up for grabs in Vancouver this week.
7) Edmonton Elks (9)
The Elks crawled out of the basement of our rankings after winning their second straight game despite losing Tre Ford to an apparent rib injury during the second quarter against B.C. Nyles Morgan flew around the field for Edmonton’s defence, which allowed only 16 points and 271 yards of net offence in the win, while Javon Leake and Justin Rankin combined for 174 rushing yards and one touchdown. Though the Elks are 2-7 at the midway point of the season, they’re only six points out of first place in the West Division.
8) Calgary Stampeders (6)
Dave Dickenson’s team can’t seem to decide who they want to be from week to week, as critical busts and errors kept them winless on the road this season. Quarterback Jake Maier threw for 373 yards and a touchdown, but was also guilty of a fumble and a late pick-six that put the game out of reach. Those were two of the four turnovers that sunk the better offence on the day, while blown special teams assignments against the most dangerous returner in the league sealed their fate.
9) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8)
The Ticats’ start to Saturday night’s game deserved a laugh track, as their first three drives resulted in a fumble, an interception, and a safety. Bo Levi Mitchell was benched after fewer than five minutes despite leading the CFL in passing and will not start next week, as Taylor Powell earned the job with 319 yards and two touchdowns in relief. That still wasn’t enough for the team to get close to victory and Scott Milanovich may need to look to Mitchell’s daughters for advice on how to run an effective operation.
