CFL Week 7 power rankings
1. Calgary Stampeders (6-1-0; LW:3; Defeated Edmonton 56-15 in Week 7)
The Stampeders come in at number one for the first time in these power rankings. This is thanks their “massacre” of the Eskimos this past week. While the offence obviously had its moments, it was once again the ever-impressive defence of Calgary that shined. They limited Arkee Whitlock to only 35 rushing yards, Edmonton’s quarterbacks to under 200 yards passing and generated four sacks, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Calgary will look to build on this performance after its bye week.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-2-0; LW: 2; Defeated British Columbia 37-13 in Week 7)
Much like with the Stampeders, the Riders defence is impressive. They forced five sacks and two interceptions against the Lions, putting constant pressure on Jarious Jackson. They only real area of concern for Saskatchewan going forward will be to find consistency on offence. They clearly have the talent, but sometimes they don’t dominant defences like they could. Darian Durant is throwing more interceptions as well then he did to start off the season. With three sacks this week, Jerrell Freeman may be the pass rusher the Riders are looking for.
3. Montreal Alouettes (5-2-0; LW: 1; Lost to Toronto 37-22 in Week 7)
Montreal takes a big slide after their shocking loss to Toronto. After playing inconsistent football for the last couple of weeks, things finally collapsed for the Alouettes. A decent game from Anthony Calvillo was not enough to offset a return touchdown by Ryan Christian and two receiving touchdowns by Chad Owens, a player who was with Montreal earlier this season. After Avon Cobourne had over 100 rushing and receiving yards in the previous meeting between each team, he was held to under 30 rushing and receiving yard in this game. The question is: How will Montreal respond to this loss?
4. Toronto Argonauts (5-2-0; LW: 4; Defeated Montreal 37-22 in Week 7)
The Argonauts jumped into a tie with the Alouettes for first after their shocking victory over Montreal. A big day from Christian, Owens and Cleo Lemon vaulted the Argonauts to victory. Who would have thought the Argonauts, who have missed the playoffs for two years in a row, would be tied with Montreal at this point? A lot of credit has to go to Jim Barker. Still, Toronto can’t be ranked ahead of Montreal just yet. The Alouettes did beat them badly in the first meeting.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-4-0; LW: 5; Defeated Winnipeg 39-28 in Week 7)
After two close victories against the Bombers in the last two weeks, Hamilton is in a good position. They are now in sole possession of third in the East Division, within striking range of Montreal and Toronto, and have won the season series against Winnipeg. The Tiger-Cats are finally playing like we all thought they would. Kevin Glenn is dissecting opposing defences, Arland Bruce III has emerged as one of the league’s best receivers and the defence is doing its part. The Tiger-Cats will need to win against Toronto if they really want to turn their season around.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-5-0; LW: 6; Lost to Hamilton 39-28)
Lately, it has been close but no cigar for the Bombers. After three close losses, the team now finds themselves in a big hole. With the crossover possibility very realistic right now, there is no reason to give up hope. However, Winnipeg needs to win games now. To do this, it might mean starting Steven Jyles, who has really stepped up under centre. A game against Montreal this week could really make or break Winnipeg’s chances in the East.
7. Edmonton Eskimos (1-6-0; LW: 7; Lost to Calgary 56-15)
I wouldn’t rank them below the Lions right now, but it is tempting after such a brutal loss. Despite the scoreline, Edmonton really did have chances in this game. But, turnovers and penalties snuffed out whatever opportunities they might have had early on. If Ricky Ray doesn’t come back, the Eskimos will have to hope Jason Maas or Jared Zabransky can get the job done. The Eskimos really don’t have a bad roster, but if they don’t start winning soon, it won’t matter.
8. British Columbia Lions (1-6-0; LW: 8; Lost to Saskatchewan 37-13)
BC is still a mess. They have three quarterbacks, none of which have got the job done, their running game only enjoys brief flickers, star players like Paris Jackson are struggling and the run defence is terrible. Wally Buono has been known to work some magic in his time, but he would have to be a pretty good magician to work his way out of this disaster.
Biggest Rise: Calgary +2
Biggest Drop: Montreal -2
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About the Author
An aspiring journalist who has a freelance contract with the Regina Leader-Post and is a veteran online CFL columnist. Hamelin currently attends the University of Regina and is enrolled in the pre-journalism program. After this year, he will apply for the school of journalism. Hamelin has had work published in his highschool paper, university paper, Regina's paper and a number of online sites. For a look at all of his work, visit http://jonathansjournalismportfolio.webs.com/View Author Profile
i'm going to put thigpen in every article until you mention him.lol
i still think that if youy are going week by week power rankings you have to rank hamilton like #2 or 3 for winning 2 in a row.
i'm nopt saying they are the best in the league, btu, power rankings and standings are two different things.
Power rankings aren't a week to week thing. It takes into consideration a bunch of factors to look at where a team stand with both wins, difficulty of schedule, and how convincing the wins are. So I think Hamilton deserves fourth at best. They beat Winnipeg twice. Whoopie… They are good, and if they can beat Toronto this week, you can look at them as contenders and move them into fourth. But Montreal and Saskatchewan are the only teams in the top four to lose, and they lost to top 4 teams. Montreal is the only team in danger of dropping out, and that's only if they lose to Winnipeg as well. THEN yo can consider Hamilton for that #4 spot.
Oh, and YES! THANK YOU Jonathan! It was worth the wait! It was killing me!
too many factors go into power rankings that it's hardto argue however if a team wins 3 in a row holds the thrid best record and the two teams with better records each have a losing streak then i feel that that team should be #1.
Brandon: Is Hamilton good? Yes, but they have only won two games in a row, against Winnipeg. These weren't exactly dominating wins. The Tiger-Cats couldn't be ranked ahead of Toronto because the two teams haven't met and the Argonauts have performed much better in general. You couldn't rank Hamilton ahead of Montreal because they beat Hamilton soundly and are arguablly a better team right now. Saskatchewan and Calgary both beat Hamilton so you couldn't put Hamilton past them really, especailly since Saskatchewan and Calgary are on a roll.
If Hamilton beats Toronto, they will definetly make a jump next week…
Calgary has won four in a row, and just beat Edmonton by 41 points, more points than Hamilton scored last week… But you're right Hamilton SHOULD be first with their two wins in a row.
I'm just going to stop reading your posts Brandon if you keep pushing for Hamilton at number one.
i'm not pushing, i was just saying if A team wins three in a row it could be toronto or winnipeg i think they shou;ld be #1 if the teams above have a losing streak or less wins in a row.
sorry if I come of as trying to make a case for hamilton because i'm not i'm trying to make a case for all the teams except it's kind of hard since b.c. and edmonton are horrible, winnipeg is starting to suck.
so, the only teams you can make cases for are sort of the middle of the road teams in hamilton and toronto.
sask.,montreal, clag. are the top teams
edmonton,winnipeg, b.c. bottom teams it doesn't leave you with much choice, am i right?
p.s. scott this is the first week i've pushed for hamilton, i do remember you pushing for calgary to be number 1 last week.
plus, i got a little bit excited because hamilton is starting to play like they should. which is good.
i forgot about calgary winning 4 in a row, shouldn't there be a win/lose streak at the side?
I understand Brandon. Jonathan and I have an ongoing thing going for Calgary and Saskatchewan. He's gradually given Calgary more and more credit throughout the season. I have no problem with you pushing Hamilton. It's clearly your team. Just like it shows that Calgary is my team, and it REALLY shows that Saskatchewan is Jonathan's team. (Just taking a poke Jon) The reality is though that even though Hamilton is starting to win and get back to the place we thought they might be, they have had an up and down season, and I'll be the first to admit that a win is a win, but the power rankings isn't a week to week thing. It's based over the entire season and based on the direction a team is moving. Hamilton is getting better, but not good enough yet to say they are higher than #5.
never really tried to argue that.
oh yeah, almost forgot, thigpen!!!!!!!!
seriously, the man deserves recognition.
He really does deserve recognition. He did get a lot when he scored right off the bat with the first few games. I don't think people have noticed as much because Hamilton hasn't had a banner season. But yo are right, that is a big deal and it should be recognized.
i know regardless of who your team is, you have to respect the man, who i'm not sure but under certain classification is a legend.
i don't want to call him a legend, but, i think you know what i mean.