August 5, 2014

CFL.ca Power Rankings: Status quo at the top

Stampeders.com

CFL.ca Staff

 
Calgary Stampeders
Week 5 Ranking: 1
Despite being handed their first loss of the 2014 season by the Lions, the Stampeders remain in the top spot of the CFL.ca Power Rankings. It appears that Bo Levi Mitchell is human after all, as the young gunslinger threw his first interception of the year in the defeat. The good news is that the Stamps’ running game appears to be in good hands for the time being, as Martell Mallett racked up 175 total yards on 20 touches in what was his first game since 2009.

 
Edmonton Eskimos
Week 5 Ranking: 2

Thanks to their first bye week of the 2014 campaign, Mike Reilly and the Eskimos had plenty of time to reflect following their first loss of the season in Week 5. Now, refreshed and healed of their wounds, the Green and Gold will aim to get back in the win column against the Alouettes on Friday Night Football.

 
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Week 5 Ranking: 3

How about those Winnipeg Blue Bombers? Drew Willy pulled yet another rabbit out of his hat, leading the never-say-die Bombers by the Tiger-Cats in a thriller on Thursday night. The first place Bombers, yes first place, now face arguably their stiffest test of the season: A Thursday night clash with the Roughriders at Investors Group Field, which has all the makings of being a candidate for game of the year.

 
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Week 5 Ranking:
4
The Roughriders introduced themselves to the REDBLACKS in extremely hostile fashion, rushing out to a 24-0 first-quarter lead that was supported by some play-making on the defensive side of the ball, some solid execution on the offensive side, and even some special teams magic courtesy of Tristan Jackson. Since dropping a 26-13 decision to the Lions in Week 3 and recovering during their bye week in Week 4, the Riders have outscored their opponents 75-23. A date with the Bombers in Winnipeg awaits.

 
BC Lions
Week 5 Ranking: 5

Here’s a question: Given that he has over 100 all-purpose yards in four of BC’s six games this season, leads the CFL in rushing, and currently sits second in receiving yards, is Andrew Harris the early-season favourite for Most Outstanding Player? Simply put, until Travis Lulay returns, it looks like the Lions will go as far as the Winnipeg native is willing to take them.

 
Toronto Argonauts
Week 5 Ranking: 6
The Double Blue registered their first road win of the season, outscoring the hometown Alouettes 21-0 in the second half in the process. Ricky Ray still looks like he misses his safety blankets in Chad Owens, Andre Durie and Jason Barnes, but he can take solace in the fact that Steve Slaton had the best performance by an Argo running back this year, registering 100 all-purpose yards on 18 touches.

 
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Week 5 Ranking: 8

“I’d rather lose 47 to nothing than to lose like that,” said Kent Austin shortly after his Tiger-Cats were stunned by a last-minute touchdown drive by the visiting Bombers. Despite the gut-wrenching loss, the Ticats appear to be turning the corner, and could very well start making some noise in an East Division that has been relatively quiet to-date.

 
Montreal Alouettes
Week 5 Ranking: 7
The Als clock in at the eight spot after dropping their third-straight game. What should the Als do with their offence? Is Troy Smith simply not the answer? Is it time to give someone else a shot? The hiring of Jeff Garcia is an interesting one for a myriad of reasons. He should provide Smith with yet another perspective of the many nuances of the Canadian QB game.

  
Ottawa REDBLACKS
Week 4 Ranking: 9
The crafty REDBLACKS stunned the Riders with their onside punt touchdown recovery, and the raucous TD Place crowd loved every second of it. Ottawa will be in tough yet again this week, as they’ll kick off a spell of three-straight games against the West.