Weekly, SportsCage.com contributors from around Western Canada collaborate to rank the Canadian Football League teams. After week 15, the Saskatchewan Roughriders hold onto the top spot despite a loss to Montreal, while the Alouettes are the biggest movers thanks to the upset win.
The injury bug bit the Saskatchewan Roughriders in their Week 15, 41-38 loss to Montreal. Three of four starting Riders’ defensive backs missed the game due to injury: Marcus Sayles, Tevaughn Campbell and Nelson Lokombo. The Als took advantage, throwing for 379 yards. The Riders clinched a playoff spot and held onto the number one ranking, but with a bye in Week 16, we will see if they hold on for another week.
On a bye week, the Calgary Stampeders maintained their spot at number two in the power rankings. The Stamps return to action this week when they take on the Lions.
Hamilton also holds tight this week after their 32-21 win over Winnipeg. The Tiger-Cats host Edmonton in Week 16, and they can take another step towards locking up a playoff spot.
The second biggest move of the week goes to the B.C. Lions are up three spots to number four. The Lions won the back half of their home-and-home with Ottawa 38-27 in week 15. The Lions' offence seems on point, but the defence may have turned a corner. B.C. heads to Calgary for Friday night football to test that theory.
The Montreal Alouettes are pulling themselves out of the basement and into the number five spot. After the offence seemed to have its wings clipped in five successive losses, Montreal moved the ball at will in Saskatchewan on Saturday. Was the win a blip or can it become a trend? Jason Maas’ bunch will play a pivotal game in Toronto on Friday night.
Speaking of the Argos, an emotional last-play field goal win lifted them to a 31-30 victory over Edmonton. That didn’t impress contributors enough to move them up the ranking from the number six spot.
Have the mighty fallen at number seven? The Winnipeg Blue Bombers dropped from third to seventh after a 32-21 loss in Hamilton. We’ve heard this before: the Blue Bombers are old and past their prime. However, the team has found a way to get it together late in the season to make it to the Grey Cup the last five seasons. Will the same happen this year? A trip to Ottawa may make the Bombers feel better.
In the eighth spot, we find the Edmonton Elks, who were a defensive stop away from winning for the fifth time in six games last week. The Elks play in the Hammer this week and are looking to rebound and keep in the conversation for a playoff spot.
Finally, Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown cannot return to the line-up quickly enough for the Redblacks. Their playoff hopes faded with a loss in B.C. on Friday night, all but eliminating them from the postseason. However, redemption is in sight when they host Winnipeg on Saturday, with a chance to keep their post-season shot alive, but more importantly, an opportunity to move out of the SportsCage.com power rankings basement.
