CFL 2022
Week 13 is history, and @TheBrysh had another 3/4 week, bringing the season total to 34/51 or 67% on straight-up wins. Now it is time to recalculate the CFL Power Rankings heading into week 14. The battle for the 2nd and 3rd spot is becoming more contested as the season progresses. Real dominance has not been established in the East Division, will it ever be? And then there is the plight of the hapless Edmonton Elks, will they be relegated to the 9th spot all season? Let’s find out!
Winnipeg Blue Bombers @ Saskatchewan Roughriders
Some major changes in the top three going into week 14, and I know I am going to draw heat from West Division fans. Winnipeg sits happily atop the CFL pile, as it has since week 1, and with another win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders their position is safe. The Roughriders definitely kept this game close, losing by only 2 points. I’d like to slide the Riders up a notch, but I’m comfortable with their 5th place spot for another week. Unforeseen silver lining this week? The Roughriders finally cut Garrett Marino, lets see if someone else picks him up.
The Top Four
With the Blue Bombers safely in 1st place, the 2nd to 4th spots are highly contested. The BC Lions were on a bye week, and so their destiny lay in the hands of the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts. The Stampeders hosted the Edmonton Elks at McMahon this week in what the oddsmakers called a 12.5 point advantage, @TheBrysh calculated 17 points spread. Calgary did eventually defeat the hapless Elks, but were disappointing in allowing 18 points against. I have to drop the Stamps to 3rd in the PR’s.
The Toronto Argonauts traveled to Hamilton to take on the Tiger-Cats. On paper this appeared to be a close matchup, Hamilton was favoured by the bookies to win by 1 point. @TheBrysh predicted a Toronto win, and the Argos came through magnificently with a 28-8 dominance over the Ti-Cats. The resulting Argos upset win, compiled with an inactive BC Lions team, results in Toronto taking 2nd spot, relegating the Lions to 4th.
Ottawa Redblacks @ Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes hosted the Ottawa Redblacks this past week, the Al’s were 5.0 favourites. This game had potential to shake up the Power Rankings 6th to 8th spots. Ottawa surprised the oddsmakers, as well as @TheBrysh, with a thrilling 38-24 upset over the Alouettes. This performance gives the Redblacks a deserved boost to 7th in the PR’s, while Montreal retains their 6th place spot.
The Continuing Battle for 8th
The Edmonton Elks have been at the bottom of the Power Rankings “totem pole” since the CFL pre-season. An interesting set of circumstances in week 13 will cause movement for the first time this season. While Edmonton made a valiant effort to stay in a tough game with the Stampeders, Hamilton blew their game against the Alouettes, by 20 points, where they were favoured to win. I see no other option but to bring the Edmonton Elks out of the basement, and drop the Tiger-Cats into the cellar. The battle for 8th will no doubt continue through week 14 with Hamilton on a bye week, and Edmonton at Calgary in a rematch with the Stamps.
Written by: Jack Cameron @jackcameron1970
