Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
The CFL.ca Quarterback Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field evaluation.
TORONTO — Matt Nichols is playing his way into the upper echelon of Canadian Football League quarterbacks.
The Bombers pivot continues to put up strong numbers while piling up the wins in doing so, moving to 4-2 on the season and 14-5 since taking over the starting role last July. And the numbers don’t do justice Nichols’ heroics in consecutive late-game victories over Montreal and Ottawa.
While Nichols has work to do before catching Bo Levi Mitchell or Mike Reilly, he’s making a strong case for a top-three spot should he continue trending upwards.
RELATED:
» Landry’s 5 takeaways from Week 7
» MMQB: Is the Bombers’ success sustainable?
» Ray considered day-to-day following injury
Ricky Ray was able to avoid serious injury and could be back in time for Week 8 (The Canadian Press)
For now, Ricky Ray maintains his No. 3 ranking after an injury scare — he’s questionable for the Argos this week. And in BC, Travis Lulay continues to shine for the Lions while they await the return of Jonathon Jennings.
Finally, Kevin Glenn and Trevor Harris are trending in the wrong direction following Week 7 losses.
Who else is on the move in the QB Index?
MIKE REILLY EDM
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK: 1
Reilly enjoyed his most complete game of the season in a win over the Ticats, scoring four touchdowns in total while racking up 317 yards. The Eskimos’ 6-0 record — despite an uncanny number of early-season injuries — is a testament to Reilly’s leadership and his 11:2 TD:INT ratio is second to none.
BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK: 2
With 101 points the last two games and the CFL’s second-leading offence, the Stampeders are a well-oiled machine under the guidance of Bo Levi Mitchell. At this rate, the Katy, Texas native will almost definitely be in the running to win a second straight Most Outstanding Player honour come November.
Bo Levi Mitchell continues to lead one of the CFL’s top offences (The Canadian Press)
RICKY RAY TOR
THIS WEEK: 3 | LAST WEEK: 3
The CFL’s leading passer appears to have avoided a major shoulder injury, although it’s up in the air whether Ray plays in Week 8. It was a rough outing vs. the Stamps, who got to Ray early and often and ended his streak of six consecutive 300-yard games. As some might have guessed, the only question surrounding Ray is his health.
MATT NICHOLS WPG
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK: 6
A week after leading a miraculous comeback against the Als, Nichols came through in the clutch again for the Bombers in Week 7, leading them to a last-drive, game-winning field goal in one of the toughest stadiums to play. ‘Clutch’ is not a tangible attribute but Nichols has clearly got it.
TRAVIS LULAY BC
THIS WEEK: 5 | LAST WEEK: 7
The knock on Travis Lulay this season was his six interceptions over the span of three games. He cleaned that up vs. the Riders, leading BC to a 30-0 lead heading into the dying minutes of the game. The absence of Jonathon Jennings has not been an issue for the Leos, who possess the CFL’s top-ranked offence with Lulay under centre.
TREVOR HARRIS OTT
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK: 4
While the REDBLACKS have the best point differential in the East, some tough luck losses have put them in an early hole. Statistically, Trevor Harris has been excellent this season but his record as a starter the last two years is unimpressive, including a run of one win in seven games in 2017.
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DARIAN DURANT MTL
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK: 8
While he moves up a spot after the bye, Darian Durant hasn’t been able to escape the bottom third of the CFL’s starting quarterbacks this season. It’s proving time for the 34-year-old with a home-and-home against the East Division-leading Argos — and his former coach in Corey Chamblin — on tap.
KEVIN GLENN SSK
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK: 5
Glenn’s appearance in the top-five is short-lived because a week after out-dueling Ricky Ray, the veteran pivot failed to generate a single point before being pulled for Brandon Bridge in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to BC. Another outing like that and Glenn’s starting job could be in jeopardy.
ZACH COLLAROS HAM
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK: 9
Despite his best game of 2017, Collaros couldn’t lead the Ticats to their first win of the season. The 28-year-old has shown glimpses of his 2015 self but still has a long way to go. A win against the Bombers back at home would be a nice start.
INJURED RESERVE
Jonathon Jennings left Saturday’s game with an apparent shoulder injury (David Chidley/CFL.ca)
JONATHON JENNINGS BC
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: IR
The quarterback controversy is back on in BC after an excellent showing by Travis Lulay. The starting job should be Jonathon Jennings’ when he returns but either way, it’s a nice problem for Wally Buono to have.
