The top half of the CFL power rankings stay the same as the teams from the west are still at the top. What’s interesting is that the Edmonton Eskimos – the last undefeated team in the CFL – is not in the top spot. That honor goes to the Calgary Stampeders, even though they have a loss and a draw on the year. It’s hard to argue with the Stamps, though, especially after watching what they did last week. They pummeled the Hamilton Tiger-Cats by a whopping score of 60-1 – an absolutely demolition. Their offense has been incredible once again, which is why the odds makers view them as the team to beat.
1. Calgary Stampeders
Last Week: 1
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +250
The Stampeders (4-1-1) sit in second in the West division after a 60-1 mauling of Hamilton at home and yes, you read that right, 60-1. Calgary scored touchdowns on offense, defense and on special teams. Bo Levi Mitchell and Andrew Buckley combined to go 21-of-27 for 303 yards and two touchdowns, while Jerome Messam ran 11 times for 91 yards and three scores for the Stampeders, who were up 39-1 by halftime. The Stampeders now have to get their head back on straight as they open up Week 7 in Toronto on Thursday.
2. Edmonton Eskimos
Last Week: 2
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +300
The unbeaten Eskimos (5-0-0) remain in first place in the West after a 37-26 win at home over British Columbia. Mike Reilly was 24-of-33 for 412 yards, two touchdowns and two picks, but he also ran it in for two scores as well. Vidal Hazelton led three receivers with 100 yards or more, posting 159 yards on eight catches for a score for the Eskimos, who put up 465 yards of offense. What’s next for the Eskimos? They get the Tiger-Cats at home on Friday night in the later game, and it’ll be interesting to see how that turns out.
3. British Columbia Lions
Last Week: 3
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +400
The Lions (4-2-0) are still in third in the West after their loss in Edmonton, and they were down just 23-20 going into the fourth until the Eskimos pulled away. Travis Lulay was 22-of-26 for 259 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of picks, while he also ran nine times for 45 yards and a score for the Lions, who just couldn’t keep up with Edmonton’s offense on the road. The Lions have another test on Saturday as they welcome Saskatchewan to town.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last Week: 4
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Blue Bombers (3-2-0) are in fourth in the West as they had to overcome a 12-point deficit in the last two minutes to win 41-40 at home against Montreal. Matt Nichols was 34-of-43 for 358 yards and two touchdowns, while Andrew Harris had 12 carries for 41 yards and two scores, including one on the last play of the game. Harris also had nine catches for 93 yards for the Blue Bombers, who managed to cover up a pretty sloppy game with this late comeback, but for now a win is a win. They’ll be on the road this week when they head to Ottawa for Friday’s early game.
5. Toronto Argonauts
Last Week: 7
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +800
The Argonauts (3-3-0) are still in first place in the East as they lost to Saskatchewan in a game they should have won. Ricky Ray was 28-of-38 for 386 yards and three touchdowns, while Anthony Coomvs had 97 yards on nine catches. But when you’re outscored by 15 points in the final quarter, you’re usually going to end up in the loss column and that’s exactly what happened to the Argonauts, who have the East’s only road win at 1-2-0. They kick off Week 7 in the CFL regular season on Thursday at home against Calgary.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Last Week: 5
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1000
The Alouettes (2-4-0) in the East, but they have to be upset with themselves after letting a win against the Blue Bombers slip away. Darian Durant broke out to go 27-of-35 for 348 yards, two touchdowns and a pick, while B.J. Cunningham had six catches for 109 yards and a score. Brandon Rutley had 11 carries for 76 yards for the Alouettes, who couldn’t seal the deal and let Winnipeg’s offense run wild in the final two minutes of the game and they couldn’t recover a late onside kick, either. The Alouettes do have an extra week to get over that loss, however, as they have a bye in Week 7.
7. Ottawa RedBlacks
Last Week: 8
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1200
The RedBlacks (1-4-1) are back to work after they had their bye week, and their last game was a 24-19 win at home over the Alouettes. They would like to be able to play all of their games at home in Ottawa, where they are 1-1-1. They’re 0-3-0 on the road, which is the same road record as both Montreal and Hamilton in the East division. This week, the RedBlacks will host Winnipeg in Friday’s early game.
8. Saskatchewan Rougridgers
Last Week: 9
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1400
The Roughriders (2-3-0) are in the West basement after a 38-27 victory at home over Toronto, in which they outscored the Argonauts 18-3 in the fourth quarter. Kevin Glenn was 24-of-37 for 340 yards and four touchdowns, including two to Duron Carter, who had nine catches for 131 yards as well. Cameron Marshall ran 18 times for 110 yards for the Roughriders, who are 0-2-0 on the road. They’ll look to change that when they head to British Columbia on Saturday night.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last Week: 6
Grey Cup Championship Odds: +1400
The story of the week was the Tiger-Cats (0-5-0), who basically laid down against the Stampeders and had a chance to show some pride in the second half. They failed to do that and now jobs have to be on the line. Zach Collaros and Jeremiah Masoli combined to go 21-of-36 for 179 yards and two interceptions, while C.J. Gable was a semi-bright spot with 69 yards on 10 carries for the Tiger-Cats. Still, this was as embarrassing a performance as you’ll see from a professional sports team and the Tiger-Cats don’t even have to win their next game, they just have to show some pride. They’ll be in Edmonton on Friday night.
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