Blue Bombers keep pace in Nissan Titan Power Rankings

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — It’s been all Calgary in the CFL’s 2016 season and this week wasn’t any different.

The Stampeders took down the Montreal Alouettes 22-8 in a defensive battle to grab their 13th straight win and keep the top spot of the Nissan Titan Power Rankings.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and all seven other teams, remain in the same position in the Power Rankings after their Week 17 performances.

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This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1

While Stamps’ Head Coach Dave Dickenson said that the team’s running backs and offensive linemen weren’t “on the same page” – quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell was uncharacteristically sacked four times during the contest and Jerome Messam only rushed for 49 yards – the club still managed to win the defensive battle against the Alouettes. Calgary still remains unbeaten since Week 1 as they look ahead to taking on the Argonauts this week.

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This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2

The Bombers took down the BC Lions for the second time in as many weeks in Week 17, taking advantage of two BC turnovers late in the contest for the 35-32 victory. Clarence Denmark found the end zone first, picking off Jonathon Jennings to tie the game. Then, Justin Medlock kicked the game winning field goal, that was set up by a kickoff return fumbled by Chris Rainey, with 35 seconds left on the clock. With the win, Winnipeg took over sole possession of second place in the West as they head into their Week 18 bye.

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This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3

Late game mistakes burned the Lions this week in their second loss in a row to the Blue Bombers. Jennings’ interception and Rainey’s fumbled kickoff return directly led to two Winnipeg scores – a touchdown and a game winning field goal. BC now faces the Eskimos, who are just two points behind them in the West, as they fight to keep third place.

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This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4

The Eskimos return from their Week 17 bye refreshed and with confidence after winning three-straight contests. They’ll need all the confidence they can get when they visit BC this week, as they are just a win away from tying the Lions for third place in the West.

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This Week: 5 | Last Week: 5

Head Coach Rick Campbell’s decision to go with Henry Burris under centre when the REDBLACKS battled the Tiger-Cats for first place in the East certainly paid off. Burris rushed two majors himself in his team’s 30-29 victory, while also connecting on 27-of-39 passes for 393 yards and a touchdown pass. The win gave Ottawa a three-point cushion over the Ticats for first place in the East as the two teams meet again this week in the nation’s capital.

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This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6

Even though the Riders won’t be making an appearance in the playoffs this year, they’re still making an impact in their final few games of the regular season. Last week it was Joe McKnight who led Saskatchewan to their fourth straight victory. McKnight, in his first CFL start, rushed 150 yards on 17 carries while receiver Ricky Collins caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

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This Week: 7 | Last Week: 7

Despite a third quarter rally from the Tiger-Cats – consisting of touchdowns from John Chiles and CJ Gable respectively – it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback and defeat their East Division foes. Jeremiah Masoli looked solid in place of the injured Zach Collaros, connecting on 25-of-32 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns. Masoli and the Ticats will be looking for revenge this week as they head to Ottawa to battle with the REDBLACKS in the second half of a home-and-home.

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This Week: 8 | Last Week: 8

Changes are coming for the Montreal Alouettes, as the team announced they’ve released receivers Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford on Monday, after the team’s loss to Calgary last week. The Als have lost six of their last seven contests and have dropped to 4-11, boasting the league’s worst record. Heading to Saskatchewan this week to take on the Riders, the Alouettes will hope to turn things around.

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This Week: 9 | Last Week: 9

It looks like Ricky Ray will be back in the huddle this week when the Argos visit Calgary. Drew Willy, who has gone 0-3 and has only passed for 528 yards since taking over for Ray, may have a shoulder injury according to Head Coach Scott Milanovich. The Argos take on the Stampeders on Friday as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win (and a Hamilton loss).

WEEK-BY-WEEK RANKINGS

Week	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Archive
PS										READ
W1										READ
W2										READ
W3										READ
W4										READ
W5										READ
W6										READ
W7										READ
W8										READ
W9										READ
W10										READ
W11										READ
W12										READ
W13										READ
W14										READ
W15										READ
W16										READ
W17

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