3DownNation CFL power rankings: Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ identity crisis takes toll

Photo: Samantha Keen/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Week 8 of the CFL season is officially in the books, and the entertainment level has not decreased through the first third of the year.

Epic shootouts, thrilling finishes, and hard-fought battles have been the norm thus far. Mounting quarterback injuries haven’t put too much of a damper on the regular offensive explosions yet, though another star passer going down should leave everyone holding their breath.

3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having our contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. Each team’s most recent ranking is listed in brackets.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on social media for anything you think we got wrong.

1) Montreal Alouettes (1)

The Alouettes entered this week as the heaviest favourite of the entire season to date, and they managed to secure a backdoor cover of the massive spread, though things weren’t as easy as the 13-point margin of victory made it seem. Davis Alexander had his worst outing of the season as the team failed to capitalize on a myriad of opportunities, throwing for just 187 yards and ending his record-breaking interception-less streak. Running back Travis Theis was the best player throughout, going for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Robert Kennedy III played the role of Ticat killer yet again with his second deciding takeaway against the team this season.

2) Edmonton Elks (3)

It’s time to put some respect on the Green and Gold. Despite a comedy of errors in the fourth quarter, the Elks bounced back and knocked off the defending Grey Cup champions thanks to a 57-yard walk-off field goal from Vincent Blanchard. Cody Fajardo got reacquainted with the north goalpost at Mosaic Stadium, but that could not sully a career-best performance as he finished with 510 yards and four touchdowns through the air — 173 yards and two touchdowns of which went to Austin Mack. Seizing sole control of first place in the West Division had head coach Mark Kilam feeling some kind of way, as he dedicated the victory to the CFL schedule makers in an act of defiance.

3) Saskatchewan Roughriders (2)

After a week fraught with emotions, the Roughriders suffered their second defeat of the season in highly entertaining fashion. All of the team’s big three receivers found the end zone in an aerial showcase, led by an 185-yard outing from Kian Schaffer-Baker. However, Saskatchewan couldn’t capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, as Samuel Emilus had a touchdown taken away for offensive pass interference and Trevor Harris missed an open receiver in the end zone. Add in another missed field goal from Alex Hale, and first place in the West was lost — at least for now.

4) Calgary Stampeders (5)

The Stampeders shattered their two-game losing skid in style, hanging 52 points on Winnipeg in a decisive victory. Vernon Adams Jr. continued his elite play and now holds the CFL record for the most consecutive touchdown passes to start a season without an interception with 20, but the team also got massive contributions from unexpected places. Canadian defensive back Ben Labrosse snagged the first three interceptions of his career in quick succession, and Tyreik McAllister became the first player in CFL history to score a rushing touchdown, receiving touchdown, and a return touchdown in the same game — doing so all in the first half.

5) Toronto Argonauts (7)

An easy get-right game for the Argonauts took a nasty turn on Saturday, when star quarterback Chad Kelly took a late shot to the head while sliding in the second quarter and was forced to exit with a neck injury. Nick Arbuckle steered the team the rest of the way and exacted a little revenge with a violent stiff-arm on perpetrator Darnell Sankey, while the defence kept B.C. out of the end zone entirely. Kelly and receiver Makai Polk, who went down in the fourth quarter after scoring two touchdowns, will have a bye week to get healthy before the Boatmen finally get to dock back in Toronto.

6) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4)

After getting extraordinarily lucky in his return to Ottawa, the interception bug bit Dru Brown big time against Calgary. The backup QB was picked off four times, as the Bombers were blasted at home. The defence and special teams units both fell victim to massive busts, leading to a 22-point blowout. Brady Oliveira was a bright spot, carrying 14 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns, but wasn’t utilized at all in the fourth quarter, leading him to question the team’s offensive identity.

7) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6)

Last week, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats proved they are alive. The jury is still out on whether they are kicking — except for Wynton McManis, who definitely was this week. A massive punt return touchdown from Isaiah Wooden, and some excellent defensive play from the likes of Stavros Katsantonis, Destin Talbert, and Devodric Bynum gave the Tabbies an unexpected edge against the CFL’s top-ranked team, but self-inflicted errors made it all for naught. Tre Ford struggled to replicate his prior success, and a bad fumble followed by an inexcusable interception spelled the end for his team late in the fourth quarter.

8) B.C. Lions (8)

Lions owner Amar Doman may want to buy BC Place Stadium, but his team seemed to have no interest in winning in it in their long-awaited return to Vancouver. Chase Brice’s first career start was hard to watch, as he completed just 56 percent of his passes and threw for 163 yards before getting benched. The offence honoured the departing FIFA World Cup by kicking all of their points and landing nil in the touchdown column. Rookie Kaidon Salter did come off the bench to provide a spark at the end, which may stir up a quarterback controversy in the absence of Nathan Rourke.

9) Ottawa Redblacks (9)

The Redblacks took advantage of a convenient loophole this week, as you can’t lose a game if you don’t play one — though apparently you can get fined. The CFL’s final winless team is still searching for answers and will return from the bye week with jobs on the line. They have made a couple of additions to that end, trading for six-foot-eight tight end Jevoni Robinson and bringing back franchise legend Lewis Ward.