CFL Power Rankings: Week 18

Here's how I rank the Canadian Football League teams through Week 18:

1. Edmonton Eskimos (Unchanged)

Record: 13-4

Streak: Won 7

Next: vs. Montreal

Once again the Eskimos seemed ready to give an inferior team a big break as the Riders built up a 21-3 lead before the Green and White realized the humiliation and took off from there. It was a cruise against an awful defence. QB Mike Reilly led his attack to 510 net yards, while the defence chipped in five sacks. Still giving up too many yards on specials. Moving on. Edmonton has a single game left (with Montreal, look out for QB Kevin Glenn) and a win gives it first in the West and because of a final week bye, three weeks off before the final. The Eskimos must also stay healthy. Time off and injuries are worrisome problems another team, the Stamps, have struggled with in the recent past.

2. Calgary Stampeders (Unchanged - bye)

Record: 12-4

Streak: Won 1

Next: vs. Saskatchewan

The Stamps have to win out and see Montreal upset Edmonton to have a shot at first. The schedule offers some advantage as the White Stallions play the day before the Eskies, so they'll still be alive when they take the field. Rumours of GM/coach John Hufnagel possibly going to Saskatchewan popped up again this week (can't see it), and were a distraction. As practice began again, Jon Cornish was adjudged not ready (stiff neck) so won't play this week, but making his debut will be Jerome Messam. Calgary now has one back that can't stay consistently healthy and have added another who has trouble staying consistent. Together now … hmmm.

3. Ottawa Redblacks (Up from 4)

Record: 10-6

Streak: Won 2

Next: At Hamilton

Bless the league schedule maker's luck for unknowingly setting up a fabulous finish in the East. Ottawa and Hamilton are tied for first after the former survived a gutsy effort by the Blue Bombers. Now, it's head to head to decide home field advantage and the first round bye. Terrific. The RBs didn't play well in the 'Peg but won anyway, as a good team does. And they acted like a good team by going for it on third and goal with less than a minute left and the score tied. Henry Burris (29-43, 413 yards) took it himself — perfect symbolism as without him, this team isn't fighting for first. RB William Powell (117 yards) is doing a good job filling in for Jeremiah Johnson.

4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Down from 3)

Record: 10-6

Streak: Lost 1

Next: vs. Ottawa

The Kitties opened with an exciting pass and run TD from Jeff Mathews to Luke Tasker, then curled into a satisfied ball expecting everyone to shower them with praise and ear scratches. Yes, it's a trip to the west coast, but no reason to wave at ball carriers as they go by, or confuse coverage, or give up five sacks. This was the first time Mathews actually looked confused, and that could be a good thing if it's a useful learning experience. Top to bottom, the team was filled with mistakes. Coming off such an impressive outing the week before, one can easily chalk this loss up to a passing cloud. Now, Ottawa for two.

5. Toronto Argonauts (Unchanged)

Record: 9-7

Streak: Lost 2

Next: vs. B.C.

Ricky Ray is back. Hall of Famer. Grey Cup Champion. And Ray is just what this team needs — a boost at a time when they are playing poorly with the playoffs only two more games away. Trevor Harris has done well to lead his club to 9-7, but he's been poor the last two outings. The Argos have been slow, sluggish, and whining with each other on the sidelines. There must have been a lot of crocodile tears when the Blue Jays went down last Friday night, both in the Argos' room and at TSN headquarters. The final two home games will actually be at home now, and Toronto needs a big boost from its small but loyal fan base so everyone can pull together.

6. B.C. Lions (Up from 7)

Record: 6-10

Streak: Won 1

Next: At Toronto

B.C.'s defence bumbled the opening drive of the game by Hamilton, allowing a long TD. Then, they bounced. Forced a fumble that led to a score. Sacked the QB five times. Came up with three other turnovers. Dominated from stem to stern. Meanwhile, the offence was leaving one of the league's top defences red nosed by rolling up 362 yards net, showing nice balance with 126 on the ground and 247 in the air, the latter from the arm of rookie Jonathon Jennings. Search parties were recalled as RB Andrew Harris exploded late and rumbled for 119 total yards, leaving one to wonder how beat up he's been in recent games. And B.C. did not blow a late lead, they built on it.

7. Montreal Alouettes (Up from 8)

Record: 6-10

Streak: Won 1

Next: At Edmonton

GM/head coach Jim Popp may have saved his job in Montreal if QB Kevin Glenn continues to play like this. Offered in trade by Regina, Popp picked him up (because his other QBs had been lousy). Second time out, Glenn was terrific (27-for-35, 294 yards and three TDs), supported with 115 yards on the ground from Tyrell Sutton and Brandon Rutley. The Alouettes bombed the Argo offence, giving up zero points and racking up five sacks. Montreal has a shot if you combine a decent QB with this good group of defenders. It will be in the West, however, where to win the cross over playoff spot the Als must win out and have B.C. split.

8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Down from 6)

Record: 5-12

Streak: Lost 2

Next: Bye

After an awful 25 minutes of football from both teams, the offences woke up. The Blue found itself in the thick of it, tied 10-10 with Ottawa and a playoff spot somehow still possible. Pretty good defence, some Matt Nichols throws and a touch of providence had the Bombers tied 20-20 and looking at overtime. Until Winnipeg allowed an 11 play, 76 yard, 4:44 Redblacks drive that ended on a third and goal, one yard QB sneak by Henry Burris for a loss. Bad teams are ones that continually lose close games. Only chance left now is a win in the final week at Toronto, two losses by B.C. and at least one by Montreal.

9. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Unchanged)

Record: 2-14

Streak: Lost 3

Next: At Calgary

The only thing I can think of as shocking as DB Junior Mertile simply letting Adarius Bowman go right by him into the end zone came 38 years ago when OG Mike Wilson threw a swinging door block that allowed a sack on Chuck Ealey, ruining an Argos' comeback in a playoff game at Ottawa. It's been that kind of year. The Riders came out ready to play against Edmonton and built a lead, but just don't have the ability to stop any kind of sustained attack. Rider coaches did a good job of using both young QBs and ran folks in and out to get a look at them. One more season at Mosaic Stadium, then on to the new digs next door.