The CFL season is two weeks in and to little surprise, the upper echelon remains unchanged. The online sportsbook’s outrights still have the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the likeliest Grey Cup champions and why not? The two-time defending champs are one of five unbeaten teams as we update the league’s standings with our Week 3 Power Rankings.
CFL Rankings Entering Week 3
We didn’t expect much to change with only two weeks of Canadian football action. These rankings are based off of two categories: 1) the team’s current performance; and 2) the team’s outlook — what is their ceiling or floor.
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0)
The Blue Bombers faced the new-look Ottawa Redblacks and, like a grizzled boxing champion, withstood their best efforts to come away with two victories. Winnipeg has given up the second-most yards in the CFL but has still found ways to win. That’s what matters.
Next Game: vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0)
Roughriders fans are likely upset their team is not No. 1 after thoroughly thrashing Hamilton and Edmonton. With all due respect to these teams, the Redblacks are better and we rank a gutsy win against adversity over a squash match per the Canadian football odds.
Next Game: at Montreal Alouettes (0-2)
3. Calgary Stampeders (2-0)
Are we getting too excited with Calgary? Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell appears to be back to his old self as he led the team to a riveting comeback against Hamilton. Calgary is still not in top shape but, like the Bombers, this team knows how to win games.
Next Game: vs Edmonton Elks (0-2)
4. BC Lions (1-0)
Despite coming off a bye, the Lions are still the second-highest scoring in the league. Sure, Edmonton may be historically bad, but 59 points against anyone in the CFL is still impressive. We’d like to believe Canadian QB Nathan Rourke is the real deal.
Next Game: vs Toronto Argonauts (1-0)
5. Toronto Argonauts (1-0)
The Argonauts just got by Montreal to open their season with a W. Toronto was visibly rusty but their defensive front seven won this game. It limited Montreal to just 73 rushing yards while making life hell for both Vernon Adams and Trevor Harris with three sacks.
Next Game: at BC Lions (1-0)
6. Ottawa Redblacks (0-2)
Ottawa can hold its head high knowing that it gave the CFL’s best team everything it could handle, even if lost both games. Jeremiah Masoli does look like a quarterback messiah and the defense is holding its own. A bet online on Ottawa to win the Grey Cup now does not look that ridiculous.
Next Game: vs BC Lions (Week 4)
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2)
The Tiger-Cats are winless and have another date with the Blue Bombers, a team they haven’t beaten since before Zach Collaros took the reins at QB. Their own QB, Dane Evans, is also banged up and the “Tabbies” are in danger of going 0-3 for the first time since 2017.
Next Game: at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0)
8. Montreal Alouettes (0-2)
The Alouettes lost both games by a total of four points. In a parallel universe, Montreal is 2-0 and a top-four team in these power rankings. But, in our reality, Montreal is winless and has a brewing quarterback controversy between Adams and Harris.
Next Game: vs Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0)
9. Edmonton Elks (0-2)
There was some offseason excitement with the jaded fanbase, but that may be all but exhausted now with Edmonton getting outscored by 54 points in two games. The season is still young, however, and an upset of its arch-nemesis may just offer a glimmer of hope for this franchise.
Next Game: at Calgary Stampeders (2-0)
