Welcome back CFL Fans! Week 14 is concluded and what a week it was. We had a couple of unpredicted blow-outs, a big upset in the East Division, and of course The Banjo Bowl that follows each Labour Day Classic! Will week 14’s results create some changes in the top 3 spots of the PR’s? What about the East Division with all 4 teams trying to climb another rung in the Power Rankings? Let’s recap the games and see where that leaves our PR’s heading into week 15!
BC LIONS @ MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The 7-3 BC Lions traveled to Montreal this last week to take on the 4-7 Alouettes. The Lions were favoured by the oddsmakers by a 3.5 spread, despite the absence of Canadian QB Nathan Rourke due to injury. The Lions are not the same high octane offensive unit that they were with Rourke at the reigns. Backup QB’s Antonio Pipkin and Vernon Adams Jr, could not start anything up and managed less than a combined 200 yards passing, with no TD’s. The Alouettes defense made the difference, DB’s Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Adarius Pickett and Nafees Lyon combined for 2 forced fumbles and an interception. The Alouettes upset the Lions 31-10, Montreal has to move up and BC drops out of 4th.
Toronto Argonauts @ Ottawa Redblacks
The 6-5 Argonauts still have breathing room atop the East Division, as they took on the 4th place Ottawa Redblacks. Ottawa had looked impressive the last two weeks, outscoring their opponents 63-42 and riding a 2 game winning streak. The Argonauts came to play, and the tandem of QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, and WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr put on a display. Gittens finished with 161 yards receiving and a TD, Bethel-Thompson had a total of 365 yards passing. The Redblacks were game right up to the last minute of play, when they lost on a 3rd down gamble. Although they won the game, the Argonauts were not worthy of 2nd place in the PR’s, I dropped them to 3rd.
Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The pressure on the 6-6 Roughriders must have been unreal, as they traveled to Winnipeg for a rematch of last week’s game against the 1st place Bombers. Their previous meeting was a narrow 20-18 victory for Winnipeg, leaving many fans to believe that the Riders could knock them off their “high horse”. Saskatchewan had relieved themselves of the excess baggage of Garrett Marino and hoped for continued resurgence from QB Cody Fajardo. Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros had something to say about that, as he passed for 273 yards, 4 TD’s and an 84% completion rate. The Riders were manhandled 54-20, and have to be moved down to 6th in PR’s.
Calgary Stampeders @ Edmonton Elks
Just when Edmonton Elks fans thought things were turning around, they ran into a freight-train offense from the Calgary Stampeders. Edmonton had enjoyed a competitive game against the Stamps the previous week, losing by 8 points, and hoped for redemption at home in week 14. Unfortunately, the “Commonwealth Curse” would continue, Edmonton has not won at home since October 2019. Edmonton’s first offensive series spelled the game out, as Elks QB Taylor Cornelius threw a pick-six interception to Stamp’s DB Trumaine Washington. Calgary would demoralize the hapless Elks 56-28 and solidify themselves at 2nd in the Power Ranking’s, while Edmonton will relegate back to the basement of the PR’s.
Disagree? Comment and post your picks! Join the CFL Fans Group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12670386/
Written by: Jack Cameron @TheBrysh
As soon as Toronto wins a game outside of the pathetic eastern division you can move them up in the power rankings until then…. 5th is the highest you can put them…. Maybe 4th.
It’s a formula based system that has been used for years. We are very confident in it. But thank you for reading the article!