Week 11 in the CFL brought us some exciting moments with two 18 point blow-outs, and two underdogs who nearly pulled off the upset. The BC Lions were expected to beat the ‘Riders at Mosaic Stadium, but a 28-10 victory was beyond predictions. Likewise, Ottawa fell apart offensively and allowed the visiting Edmonton Elks to walk away with the decision 30-12. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were able to keep the Montreal Alouettes within one point. The Toronto Argonauts held the largely favoured Calgary Stampeders to a 22-19 final score. Predictions by @TheBrysh in week 11 were 3/4 for straight up wins, bringing the season total to 29/43, or a respectable 67.4%. Let’s see how the week’s game results affected the Power Rankings going into week 12. I sense some relevant changes will occur in the ranking orders at the top and bottom of the PR scale.
A CHANGE IN THE TOP THREE?
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders and BC Lions have been 1, 2 and 3 since the beginning of the season. With the ‘Bombers enjoying a needed bye-week, the only thing that could possibly bring them down would be the performances of the Stamps and the Lions.
The BC Lions would be visiting a capable opponent in the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in front of a tough Mosaic Stadium crowd. ‘Riders QB Cody Fajardo had a tough start, passing for only 41 yards and two interceptions. Fajardo was replaced by backup Mason Fine who looked promising with a 62% completion rate, 210 yards and a TD/INT ratio of 1:1, but it was not enough. The Lions, Canadian QB Nathan Rourke put on a passing display with 375 yards in the air, and a 71% completion rate. In the 2nd quarter, the ‘Riders triple-teamed WR Bryan Burnham, leaving WR Lucky Whitehead open for a 90 yard TD pass. In the 3rd quarter, Bourke contributed a 36 yard run that set up an 11 yard TD pass to Burnham. Rourke left the game with a foot injury in the 4th quarter, but the Lions sailed to a 28-10 win and moved up to 2nd place in the Power Rankings.
The 4-4 Toronto Argonauts hosted the Calgary Stampeders, hoping for a win to keep them on top of the East Division Standings. This game turned out to be a grinding, defense dominated event with neither team passing for a single touchdown. Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchel struggled in the first half giving up two interceptions, he was replaced by Jake Maier who looked steady with a 78% completion rate but could not find the end zone. Toronto QB Mcleod Bethel-Thompson also looked capable with 276 yards in the air, but he too failed to connect for a TD. With the game tied 19-19 in the 4th quarter, a Rene Paredes 35 yard FG would give the Stamps a 22-19 lead. The Argos attempted a last ditch comeback which ended in a near interception followed shortly after by a sack and fumble caused by DL Shawn Lemon, ending the game with a Calgary recovery. The win was not enough for Calgary to hold 2nd in the PR’s and they dropped to 3rd, the close finish was enough for Toronto to climb to 4th in the PR’s.
MONTREAL AND HAMILTON
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats visited the Percival Molson Memorial Stadium to take on the heavily favoured Montreal Alouettes. Both teams had a 3-6 record and were eyeing up the 2nd place spot in the East Division. This turned out to be an exciting back-and-forth battle to the finish, that did not disappoint. Both teams passing game was exceptional with each QB putting up over 300 yards in the air, and the crowd was treated to 5 passing TDs. The standout offensive player was Tiger-Cats WR Tim White with 11 receptions for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns. With no time left, Montreal kicker David Cote nails a 48 yarder to give the Alouettes the win and 2nd place in the Division. Montreal loses some traction, dropping to 5th on the PR’s, while Hamilton overcomes the point spread and climbs to 6th.
THE BATTLE FOR 8TH PLACE
The 2-7 Edmonton Elks traveled to Ottawa to take on the 1-7 Redblacks to determine which team is deserving of eighth place, and which is left in the cellar. @TheBrysh had Ottawa favoured by 8 points in this game, but it was not to be. The first half was lackluster, other than a 21 yard TD run by Redblacks QB Caleb Evans. The Ottawa Redblacks went to the locker room with a 12-9 lead. The 2nd half was all Edmonton, as QB Taylor Cornelius finished the game with 208 yards passing and 2 TDs with no interceptions. Cornelius hooked up with WR’s Kenny Lawler and Derel Walker for scores, another TD was added by Edmonton RB Ante Milanovic-Litre. The Elks took the blow-out victory from the Redblacks 30-12, climbing to 8th place for the first time this season and sending the Redblacks to 9th.
Written by: Jack Cameron @TheBrysh
