Week 14 is officially in the books, which means it’s time to reassess how the league’s nine teams stack up as we enter the final third of the season.
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)
The Alouettes sustained the second blemish on their resume this week but remain on top of the rankings by virtue of their previous performances. Noel Thorpe’s defence mustered four takeaways but couldn’t slow down the Lions’ running game, while some wild gambles by Jason Maas weren’t enough to stage another comeback. With Austin Mack potentially out long-term after a practice injury, Montreal will have to handle some more adversity in pursuit of the repeat.
2) B.C. Lions (4)
The Lions back cooking with gas, upsetting the top-ranked Alouettes in commanding fashion. A couple of deflected interceptions distracted from a second straight 300-yard outing from Nathan Rourke, two short-yardage sneaks resulted in long scores, and William Stanback ran through the heart of his former team for his best game in B.C. The more promising change has come on defence, where Mathieu Betts has sparked improved pressure from a previously unimpressive defensive line.
3) Ottawa Redblacks (3)
The formerly basement-dwelling Redblacks are now five points up on second place in the East Division and don’t look to be stopping anytime soon. Dru Brown has proven to be the real deal in his first year as a starter, going for over 300 yards once again, but the improved defence is the main story. Four interceptions put the Argos on ice early and Damon Webb returned two of them for touchdowns — becoming just the eighth person in CFL history to do that twice in one game.
4) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2)
Is it fair that the Bombers fell two spots in our rankings despite securing a Banjo Bowl victory, extending their winning streak and sitting atop the West Division? Probably not, but this version of Winnipeg still hasn’t shown the offensive consistency of its predecessors. Zach Collaros still has just two 300-yard passing games this season — a number matched or exceeded by Nathan Rourke and Chad Kelly in just the last four weeks. The Bombers will likely be without their short-yardage QB going forward, as Chris Streveler went down with a knee injury after a controversial hit.
5) Edmonton Elks (6)
For the first time in 20 years, the Edmonton Elks have emerged victorious in both of their rivalry meetings with the Stampeders. In two games, Jason Shivers defence has forced a whopping 12 turnovers and nine interceptions, including four from Devodric Bynum alone. After their 0-7 start to the year, the Green and Gold are now boldy a point away from a playoff spot and will be making a quarterback change after their bye week, going back to electric dual-threat Canadian Tre Ford.
6) Toronto Argonauts (5)
Chad Kelly threw for 463 yards and three touchdowns in his third game back but it was his four interceptions, including two early pick-sixes, that the Argos couldn’t overcome against Ottawa. The Boatmen are now 1-2 since the return of the reigning M.O.P. and don’t appear to be making many friends around the league either. A return to their previously league-leading running game might be in order, as Ka’Deem Carey made 46 yards out of just five carries in this game.
7) Saskatchewan Roughriders (7)
The Riders remain at seven on this week’s rankings — which is fitting considering that’s how many games they’ve gone without a win. Despite surging back after a slow start, Corey Mace’s team couldn’t avoid a rivalry sweep in the Banjo Bowl and is holding down a playoff spot by just one point. With injuries piling up on the offensive line and Trevor Harris again guilty of multiple turnovers, someone needs to step up and provide a spark.
8) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8)
The Tiger-Cats stand pat this week by nature of their bye but there is finally reason for some optimism in Steeltown. Last week’s upset of the Argos on Labour Day means as much to the fan base as a playoff victory and Bo Levi Mitchell has played at an extremely high level since getting benched, still leading the league in both yards and touchdowns while cutting down on his turnovers.
9) Calgary Stampeders (9)
After benching Jake Maier following a four-interception performance in the Labour Day Classic, first-time starter Logan Bonner one-upped his mentor and tossed five picks in the rematch. Add in a porous run defence that allowed 213 yards on the ground and it was a recipe for getting swept in a rivalry series. For the first time ever, it feels like firing Dave Dickenson might be on the table — if Elks’ owner Larry Thompson doesn’t run him over with a firetruck first.
