Week 16 CFL Power Rankings:

CFL Football Riders Top Stories

While things are starting to somewhat fall into place in the Canadian Football League’s West Division, the East appears to be up in the air more than at any other point this season after 16 weeks. Here’s my rankings of the teams entering week 17.

1 Calgary Stampeders: (12-3 LW: 40-24 win vs. BC) – Last Week Ranking #1 (2nd Week In A Row)

The Stamps continue to roll and with a dominating win over BC on Friday night it’s hard to argue against them. The only thing that might stop the Stamps is the Stamps themselves. A small explosion between Drew Tate and Jon Cornish on the field Friday may be a sign of some bubbling emotions under the surface. The Stamps need to keep those in check if they want to stay atop the ranking and win the ultimate prize.

2 Saskatchewan Roughriders: (10-5 LW: 14-9 win vs. EDM) – Last Week Rank #3

Well this is my most reluctant ranking of the week. The Rider offence is starting to become very problematic. Scoring 14 points won’t win you many games but it somehow did against Edmonton. The ball controlling, big play threatening Rider offence seems to have gone the way of the Dodo Bird. This week’s ranking is less about what the Riders have done and more about those who have faultered below them.

3 Toronto Argonauts: (9-6 LW: 24-11 loss at HAM) – Last Week Rank #2

It says here that the Toronto Argonauts should be getting better as they get healthier. That seems to be anything but the case with two head-scratching losses to Hamilton. With a chance to wrap up the East the Argos have begun to sink. A trip to Winnipeg in Week 17 may be just what the doctor ordered to get them back on track.

4 Hamilton Tiger Cats (8-7 LW: 24-18 win vs. TOR) – Last Week Rank #5

Full marks to Hamilton for their late season surge. The Tabbies are starting to peak at just the right time. C.J. Gable is coming into his own as a solid feature back, while Henry Burris is starting to clean up his interceptions. The sky appears to be the limit for the boys from Steel Town.

5 B.C. Lions: (9-6 LW: 40-24 loss at CGY) – Last Week Ranking #4

As could be expected the Lions are in the midst of a slide triggered in part by the loss of Quarterback Travis Lulay. But the mounting losses seem to be more on the defence as opposed to the offence. The Lions ‘D’ have surrendered more than 70 points the last two weeks and will need to shore that up if they want to move back up the rankings with or without Travis Lulay.

6 Montreal Alouettes: (6-9 LW: 34-27 loss vs. WPG) – Last Week #6 (9th Consecutive Week)

Once again the Als are the best of the rest. Last weeks’ lost could have ensured them a play-off spot instead a meltdown against Winnipeg has a number of observers wondering just who the Als are. Will Anthony Calvillo make that much of a difference if he comes back? Jim Popp and the rest of the organization is hoping so.

7 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-12 LW: 34-27 win at MTL) – Last Week #8

After 10 weeks in the basement the Blue Bombers have found a way to elevate their ranking. Things are not always as they seem however. The Bombers playing in the weaker (East) division will get to play easier opponents down the stretch than say Edmonton. So while it may be smoke and mirrors to some extent the Bombers found a way to get back in the win column and mathematically still have a shot at the post season.

8 Edmonton Eskimos: (3-12 LW: 14-9 loss at SK) – Last Week #7

I still believe that on paper the Edmonton Eskimos are not the bottom team in the division. It is hard to argue with the results and even though the Eskimos could clearly point to at least three games that they should have won including last week in Regina, the reality is that they didn’t find a way to win but rather a way to lose. The question now is will that losing extend to the loss of jobs for Kavis Reed, Ed Hervey, etc.

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