Weekly, SportsCage.com contributors from around Western Canada collaborate to rank the Canadian Football League teams. After week 17, there is a new leader atop the rankings, with the Saskatchewan Roughriders' three-week run atop the list coming to an end.
Here is how the ranking broke down:
The B.C. Lions' third consecutive win has launched them into the top spot in the power rankings. Offensively dominant victories over Ottawa, Calgary and Toronto have proven that quarterback Nathan Rourke is back and comfortable with the new Buck Pierce offence. The emergence of DL Mathieu Betts from his quiet start has also allowed the Leos' defence to find its stride.
Up three spots from fifth to second are the Montreal Alouettes. Quarterback Davis Alexander’s return to the line-up was seamless in their 38-20 win in Calgary. Things are looking up for the 8-7 Alouettes, and they are looking to pressure Hamilton for top spot in the East.
After a three-week run atop our list and a subpar effort in Edmonton, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have slipped down to third spot this week. The 10-4 Riders are in a two-game funk and hope to break out in Ottawa against the Redblacks on Friday.
Tying B.C. for the most significant jump of the week is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. After handing Hamilton a 40-3 thumping on Saturday, the contributors' faith in the Bombers has been restored, especially with QB Zach Collaros back in the line-up.
As much as the Bombers have risen, the Tiger-Cats have fallen the same amount from number two down to number five, this week. The Tiger-Cats appeared confused in front of a sold-out Princess Auto Stadium. The 9-6 Tiger-Cats have Montreal coming up quick in their rearview mirror. Can they find a way to recover?
The Calgary Stampeders have dropped a pair of spots this week. The Stamps couldn’t solve Montreal’s offence on Friday night, but they hope to have found an answer. With Folarin Orimolade’s season over, the defence in Cowtown hasn’t been the same. That’s why the team has acquired Lorenzo Mauldin IV from Ottawa. Can he help the defence rediscover its mid-season form?
The Edmonton Elks jump up a spot from number eight to number seven this week. The EE’s 27-25 victory over Saskatchewan showed heart and a complete four-quarter effort for the first time this season in the Alberta Capital. Is it too little, too late for the playoffs? Likely, but never say never.
The Toronto Argonauts are in the eighth spot, down two places from last week. The Argos historically don’t play well in B.C., and while it wasn’t a shellacking, they couldn’t find a way to win. With Montreal looking to have found its form, can Toronto find a way to get back into the playoff conversation?
The Ottawa Redblacks are in the ninth spot. Although not mathematically confirmed, it’s next year country in the nation’s capital, as the Redblacks didn’t get any help during their bye week. Players are playing for jobs, and we will see if that urgency translates into a jump in the power rankings.
