CFL Power Rankings: Don't count out the Lions
J.J. & J.J. show drives B.C. up to No. 2
Here's how I rank the Canadian Football League teams through Week 18:
1. Calgary Stampeders (unchanged)
Record: 15-1-1
Streak: Unbeaten in 16
Remaining: at Montreal, bye
The Calgary Redblacks (seriously ... those awful uniforms ...) cruised past the Argos this week and moved one win away from a league record for most points in one season. More importantly, despite playing all the regulars, they stayed pretty healthy. The offence started slowly again, before picking up the bit and galloping away in the second half. Jerome Messam, who has pretty much wrapped up his first rushing title, carried 10 times for 111 yards. QB Bo Mitchell tossed for 258 and two TDs. Key here was Rene Paredes (3 for 3 on field goals, and four long kickoffs) looking healthy again. So ... one game left, and then two weeks off before the West final. Look for most of the regulars to play in Montreal again to keep them sharp. Bo for a half, perhaps.
2. B.C. Lions (up from 5)
Record: 10-6
Streak: Won 1
Remaining: at Saskatchewan, vs. Saskatchewan
The Leo offence did such a good job of puck possession they basically ran Edmonton out of time. B.C. still has a shot at hosting the West semi, and that will help put some bodies in the stadium for next year as well. The J.J. & J.J. show saw QB Jonathon Jennings toss for 273 yards, two scores and no picks, while Jeremiah Johnson carried 17 times for 108. That ate up mounds of time. On the down side, three sacks were painful, as were the six fourth-quarter offensive penalties. Watching this game reminded one that, led by Manny Arceneaux (8 catches, one a 70-yard TD), the Lions have a receiving corps that can bite your head off anytime, any field position. You can never count the orange out as a result.
3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (unchanged - bye)
Record: 10-6
Streak: Won 2
Remaining: vs. Ottawa, at Ottawa
RB Andrew Harris did the weather on a local TV station this past week, giving us a perfect segue for late-season football in lousy conditions. This is when a good running attack is essential and lo ... the Bombers have one in Harris. It's also when a reliable kicker becomes key and lo ... the Bombers have one in Justin Medlock. To make it meaningful, however, Winnipeg has to earn the chance by beating Ottawa at least once in the back-to-back that finishes the schedule. Big Blue is in an interesting spot here because the year has been such a happy surprise it might lead some to think just being in the post-season is enough. Winning the semi and setting up a chance at the final against a heavily favoured Calgary would be enough.
4. Edmonton Eskimos (down from 2)
Record: 8-8
Streak: Lost 1
Remaining: at Hamilton, vs. Toronto
You have to score points to win, and you can't score points if you don't have the ball. That was the story as Mike Reilly's offence threw up a first half featuring five punts and a field goal. Trailing by 13 in a huge game at B.C., the Eskies had three touchdowns and a punt in the second half and lost the game because the defence couldn't get the ball back. Reilly only had possession for 23:16. Specials did an excellent job keeping Chris Rainey under control (53 yards on six punt returns) and piled up 167 yards of their own. Edmonton will almost certainly be crossing over to the East, barring a surprise. Note: Why did the Eskies think it was cute to charge onto the field while B.C. was doing their player introductions, sparking a pre-game brawl?
5.Ottawa Redblacks (down from 4)
Record: 7-8-1
Streak: Lost 1
Remaining: at Winnipeg, vs. Winnipeg
Shocking as it seems, the club that finishes first in the East could actually have a less-than-.500 record. And that Ottawa tie with Calgary back in the hot summer could turn out to be the difference one way or the other. Despite an outstanding individual effort by LB Andre Pruneau (10 tackles, interception, knock down in overtime), the RBs defence collapsed in the second half against the Ticats and turned a 15-point gap into a loss. As it rained cats and bureaucrats, the advantage should have been to the defenders but Hamilton and the RBs combined for 873 net yards, 514 by the home side's attack. QB Henry Burris was hot all night, Ernest Jackson caught 10 for 102 yards (stud) and Mossis Madu rumbled for another 85. Three fumbles and two picks hurt, however.
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (up from 7)
Record: 7-9
Streak: Won 1
Remaining: vs. Edmonton, vs. Montreal
This column continues to draw raised eyebrows for suggesting the Cats are not the team you want to play in the playoffs, despite their inconsistencies and injuries. QB Zach Collaros missed his second straight with a concussion (he's expected back this week), putting Jeremiah Masoli in for his eighth start (4-4). He threw for 359 yards and led the Kitties to score two fourth-quarter majors to tie, and two field goals in OT for the win. They have to keep piling up points because the defence is so beaten up — there are six defensive backs on injured reserve, and secondary coach Hawkeye Pierce* has to patch up the ones he has to find enough bodies. With Brandon Banks out two games for blowing his drug test, Kendial Lawrence (ex-Eskimos and Riders) had over 100 yards.
*Ask your parents, kids.
7. Saskatchewan Roughriders (down from 6)
Record: 5-11
Streak: Lost 1
Remaining: vs. B.C., at B.C.
C'mon, Rider fans, you didn't think they'd go the rest of the year without losing, did you? Rob Bagg made some comments this week about the league going to one nine-team loop with six teams making the playoffs, and the Alouettes correctly took that as an insult to the East. (Sidebar, your honour: Funny how quiet the West was about this last year when the East beat them 22-18). Nothing worked offensively in the rain, especially in the first half when six punts and a field goal were all Darian Durant's unit could produce. Second half was three punts, two fumbles and a touchdown. Would have been easier if the QB hadn't been sacked five times. Joe McKnight is a find at running back — 143 total yards and an uncalled hit to the head on the last play of the contest.
8. Montreal Alouettes (Unchanged)
Record: 5-11
Streak: Won 1
Remaining: vs. Calgary, at Hamilton
Hard to get a read on your rookie quarterback when he spends the entire first half on his derriere. Vernon Adams Jr. was dumped six times in the opening 30 minutes, proving at least he's tough enough to keep getting back up. The heavy rain and cold seemed to just flow off the former Oregon University star's back (because he was a Duck, you see ... I'm here all week) and the youngster was able to produce a couple of good drives. His seven-play, 95-yarder for a touchdown was solid, but we'll have to see more of him to know if there's anything there. Montreal still has that good defence, led this time by Kyries Hebert's nine tackles, and John Bowman's two sacks and a forced fumble. Coach Jacques Chapdelaine is 2-2 in his audition for the head job.
9. Toronto Argonauts (Unchanged)
Record: 5-12
Streak: Lost 6
Next: Bye, at Edmonton
Here's a note: When Ricky Ray hit Brandon Whitaker for a two-yard score 5:17 into the opening quarter at Calgary, it was the first lead for the Boatmen in five games. Ray returned for the second time from a season of injury and was his normal calm self, somehow finding 348 net yards against a tough defence. The offensive line loves to play in front of its aging pivot. As you look for positives heading to training camp, there seems to be two receivers in Kenny Shaw and Diontae Spencer. Whitaker is second in league rushing (892). The defence has given up 527 points with a game to go; regressing from last year's unit that was already worst in the East. Need new players there. And at receiver. And on special teams. OK, they need a lot of players.