There is a new No. 1 this week for the CFL power rankings, but it is clear to see that the West division is running away from the East. They have three teams that are at least two games above .500 while the East Division doesn’t even have a single team with a winning record.
To clarify one thing with the power rankings, which possibly hasn’t been clear to this point in the season, we list the teams in order of their odds to win it tall. We’ve had some comments where people don’t agree with the ratings of the teams but we are simply going by what the odds makers believe are the teams in their order from best to worst.
1. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +275
The Eskimos (6-0-0) remain undefeated after their second win over Hamilton in three weeks, this time by a score of 33-28 at home. Mike Reilly was 29-of-38 for 317 yards and two touchdowns along with a pair of rushing scores, while LaDarius Perkins ran 19 times for 105 yards for the Eskimos. Edmonton held the ball for 36:10, but they also had a sloppy 14 penalties for 159 yards. The Eskimos head on the road on Thursday to visit Ottawa.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +275
The Stampeders (5-1-1) are a point behind the Eskimos after a 41-24 win in Toronto, in which they were up 27-10 by halftime. Bo Levi Mitchell was 19-of-24 for 249 yards and three touchdowns, two of which went to Marquay McDaniel. Jerome Messam had 10 carries for 76 yards and a score for the Stampeders, who also forced a pair of turnovers. Calgary now has a week off as they get their bye in Week 8.
3. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +600
The Lions (5-2-0) are two points behind Edmonton in the West after doubling Saskatchewan 30-15 at home. Travis Lulay was 19-of-28 for 33 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran six times for 32 yards. Jeremiah Johnson had 10 rushes for 74 yards to pace a ground game that racked up 202 yards and allowed the Lions to have the ball for 38:04. Defensively, the Lions also forced three turnovers. The Lions have to keep their heads up though, as they head to Saskatchewan for the second half of this home-and-home on Sunday night.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Blue Bombers (4-2-0) are four points back in the West after edging Ottawa 33-30 on the road, as Justin Medlock kicked his sixth field goal of the game on the final play. Matt Nichols went 25-of-38 for 319 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Bombers, who needed another late comeback as they were down by a touchdown with about five minutes left, and the defense got a couple big stops, along with two forced turnovers. The Blue Bombers will try to keep pace in the wild West on Saturday night as they head to Hamilton.
5. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Argonauts (3-4-0) are still atop the East despite their loss to Calgary at home as they simply couldn’t keep up with the red-hot Stamps. Ricky Ray was 15-of-26 for 139 yards, a touchdown and an interception and he also left with an injury. The defense had some positives as they had six sacks on the game and forced three fumbles, but they could only recover one and you have to wonder what would have happened had they recovered all three. The Argonauts have a huge game coming up in Week 8 as they head to Montreal on Friday night with the Alouettes hot on their heels in the East.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Alouettes (2-4-0) played their last game in Week 6, where they fell 41-40 in Winnipeg thanks to some late-game heroics by the Blue Bombers. However, they have an edge coming into this big game with the Argonauts as the Alouettes are not only coming off a bye week, but they’re also playing at home where they are 2-1-0. Montreal is winless on the road, so they’ll be looking to get the job done at home on Friday night.
7. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (1-5-1) are still only three points back in the East despite their home loss to the Blue Bombers, but this was definitely a missed opportunity. Trevor Harris was 27-of-39 for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while William Powell had eight carries for 85 yards and a score for the RedBlacks, who ran for 130 yards. However, the lost the turnover battle as the RedBlacks had two turnovers to none for the Blue Bombers, and they couldn’t convert any chances late in the game when the Blue Bombers were putting the pressure on. It won’t get any easier for the RedBlacks this week as they host unbeaten Edmonton on Thursday night to kick off Week 8 in the CFL.
8. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1400
The Roughriders (2-4-0) are still in the West division basement as they struggled against British Columbia. It was a rough game for Kevin Glenn, who was 19-of-27 for 186 yards and two interceptions, while Brandon Bridge came on in relief and was 6-of-6 for 114 yards and two touchdown. That is definitely a situation worth watching heading into this week’s return game with the Lions. The defense couldn’t get off the field as the Lions ran around and through the Roughriders all game long, and they can’t afford to let that happen when the two meet again in Saskatchewan on Sunday night.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 8
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1400
The Tiger-Cats (0-6-0) are still the only team in the CFL without a win after falling in Edmonton, but after a 60-1 loss to Calgary the previous week, at least they showed some pride. Zach Collaros was 24-of-35 for 282 yards, three touchdowns and a pick for the Tiger-Cats, whose offense showed some bite despite only having the ball for 23:10. All around, it might have been the best game of the season for the Tiger-Cats, who have given the Eskimos all they can handle and then some in both losses this season. That is something to build on as the Tiger-Cats host Winnipeg on Saturday night.
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