The Calgary Stampeders nearly made it wire-to-wire as the number one team in the TSN.ca CFL Power Rankings, sliding to second spot just one time before leaving the rest of the league in their wake.
Naturally, the rankings tilt to the West, as the B.C. Lions, Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the next three in order, and seem to be the most viable challengers. Sure, Ottawa and Hamilton are in the postseason and will have a chance, but their performance during the season clearly fell a tier below.
The biggest improvement from the start of the season was teh B.C. Lions, who went from nine to two, as I completely under-estimated the progress of young quarterback Jonathon Jennings, who developed quickly into one of the league's better passers. The team that was most overrated in the preseason would be the Toronto Argonauts, who sat fourth, but crashed hard once Ricky Ray started missing games with injuries.
At the start of the year, the Stampeders and Eskimos were 1-2 in the rankings, and that remains a possible Grey Cup Final.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 11-7
-
PF
497
-
PA
454
-
DIFF
+43
-
YDS/GM
363.7
-
YDSA/GM
412.1
The Bombers won three of four down the stretch, including two against B.C., which is pertinent considering they are going to meet up in the West Semi-Final. QB Matt Nichols had a breakout season, but he's not at the same level as the other top quarterbacks in the league. He does, however, have plenty of support. RB Andrew Harris is one of the best and the receiving corps is deep and solid when healthy, with Weston Dressler, Darvin Adams, Clarence Denmark, Ryan Smith and Tori Gurley giving them ample depth.
Key Injuries: C Jeff Keeping, WR Ryan Smith, CB Chris Randle, T Patrick Neufeld, DB Macho Harris, DB C.J. Roberts, DB Brendan Morgan
Ottawa Redblacks
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 8-9-1
-
PF
486
-
PA
498
-
DIFF
-12
-
YDS/GM
421.6
-
YDSA/GM
374.5
Can the Redblacks pull it together in the postseason? They are the top team in the East, which doesn't mean a whole lot, but QB Henry Burris has been productive since resuming the starting job, Mossis Madu and Travon Van have been able to keep the running game going, and Ernest Jackson, Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli are good receiving options, though none are as dangerous as the injured Chris Williams.
Key Injuries: RB William Powell (Achilles), DE Aston Whiteside (knee), WR Chris Williams (knee), T SirVincent Rogers (ankle), DL Landon Cohen, DB John Boyett.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 7-11
-
PF
507
-
PA
502
-
DIFF
+5
-
YDS/GM
374.7
-
YDSA/GM
361.9
It's been an entirely uneven season for the TiCats, so they are a longshot to really mount a serious push for the Grey Cup, but QB Zach Collaros could give them a puncher's chance. RB C.J. Gable played well down the stretch, but the receiving corps has been decimated by injuries to Luke Tasker, Chad Owens and Andy Fantuz, leaving Terrence Tolliver and Kevin Elliott as the most proven targets for Collaros. As playoff teams go, they seem to be the unlikeliest of contenders.
Key Injuries: DB Craig Butler, DB Johnny Sears, CB Demond Washington, SB Chad Owens, WR Luke Tasker, T Jeremy Lewis, WR Brandon Banks (suspension).
Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca