CFL WEEK 21: POWER RANKINGS

Welcome back CFL Fans! Week 20 of the 2022 season is history, and it’s time to recalculate the CFL Power Rankings for Week 21, the last week of the regular season. @TheBrysh Power Rankings (PR’s) are calculated using a proprietary algorithm. @TheBrysh Power Rankings are also used to calculate weekly predictions; Week 20 predictions for @TheBrysh were 4/4, for a season tally of 53/77 or 69% on straight up wins. As the weeks progress, the numbers get dialed in and the predictions become even more dependable.

WEEK 20 RECAP

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OTTAWA REDBLACKS @ HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

This was the most pivotal game of Week 20, determining the CFL Playoff bracket. A victory for the Tiger-Cats would clinch them a playoff spot, while a loss would leave the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a theoretically shot at a cross-over berth. With their playoffs hopes dashed, the Ottawa Redblacks would be playing for pride this week. Pride wouldn’t be enough, as Hamilton Kicker Seth Small sealed a 30-27 victory for the ‘Cats. The close loss helps Ottawa to 7th in the PR’s, while the Tiger-Cats remain at 5th.

HAMILTON, ON – OCTOBER 7: Dane Evans #9 of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats rolls out to pass against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Tim Hortons Field on October 7, 2022 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images)

BC LIONS @ EDMONTON ELKS

Another highly significant game would see the BC Lions travel to Edmonton to take on the hapless Elks. Edmonton was already eliminated from playoff hopes, @TheBrysh believes they were unofficially eliminated in Week 1! BC would be playing for a home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Edmonton had lost their last 16 games at Commonwealth Stadium, and this week would be no different. The BC Lions decimated the Elks 31-14 to seal a 2nd place finish in the West Division and a home playoff game against the Stampeders. The Lions move up to 3rd in the PR’s, the Edmonton Elks remain at the bottom of the pile as they have for the majority of the season.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – OCTOBER 16: James Butler #24 of the BC Lions runs with the football during CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders at BC Place on October 16, 2021 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

TORONTO ARGONAUTS @ MONTREAL ALOUETTES

The Toronto Argonauts were looking for a win in Week 20 to seal 1st place in the East Division. The Montreal Alouettes hosted the Argo’s at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, hoping to break .500 on the season. Both teams gave it their all, in a shoot out that saw each quarterback with a big night. Montreal’s QB Trevor Harris threw for 413 yards and 2 TD’s, Toronto’s QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson got 240 yards in the air with a 2:1 TD to INT ratio. This game would be decided by an Argo’s last-second, single point Rouge 24-23. Toronto clinched 1st place in the East Division and 4th in the PR’s, while Montreal remains at 6th.

HAMILTON, ON – SEPTEMBER 5: McLeod Bethel-Thompson #4 of the Toronto Argonauts goes to throw a pass against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Tim Hortons Field on September 5, 2022 in Hamilton, Canada. (Photo by John E. Sokolowski/Getty Images)

CALGARY STAMPEDERS @ SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders went into this game with a slim hope of taking a crossover playoff berth. For the Stampeders, their playoff destiny had been decided by the Lions, and now they were in a position to play spoiler to the Riders. Calgary came in with a no nonsense approach and established control with a dominating ground game. The Stamps would rush for over 200 yards and a 6 yard average, RB’s Dedrick Mills with 103, and Ka’Deem Carey with 75 of those yards. Calgary made it look easy with a 32-21 win, eliminating the Roughriders from the playoffs. Rightfully so, the Stamps still hold the number 1 spot in the PR’s and the Riders slide to the 8th spot.

Written by: Jack Cameron @TheBrysh

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