Contenders vs Pretenders – Week 3

Contenders vs Pretenders – Week 3

Published: Monday, Jun 19th 2023, 1:06pm

By Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD) 

 

We are now a couple of weeks into the season and we’re starting to get a feel on what kind of teams everyone has. Here is Week 3 of Contenders vs Pretenders (listed in alphabetical order)

 

BC Lions – Contenders (Last Week – Contenders)

Shutting someone out in the CFL is quite the accomplishment, even if it is against an awful Edmonton offense. The Lions look like the true threat to the Bombers, but they’ll need to get their receivers healthy if they want to do some real damage in the CFL this year.

 

Calgary Stampeders – Pretenders (Last Week – Pretenders)

Despite beating the Ottawa Redblacks (come on, it was in Ottawa, that’s a guaranteed win anyway), Jake Maier STILL didn’t show me anything for me to change my mind on him. As long as he’s at the helm, they’re an average at best team that shouldn’t scare anyone.

 

Edmonton Elks – Pretenders (Last Week – Pretenders)

It’s pretty hard to not get a single point in the CFL. I mean, they give you one when you fail on a field goal or a punt, but that’s exactly what Edmonton did against the Lions. Taylor Cornelius has been absolutely terrible in two games and it’s time to get Kai Locksley or Tre Ford some reps as a starter. I feel for their defense, because they’ve actually been pretty solid so far this season.

 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Contenders (Last Week – Contenders)

Alex, how do you have an 0-2 team as a Contender? Well, they are a team that has started on the road to play both Grey Cup teams from last season, the second of which (the Grey Cup Champions), had a bye week in week 1. I still think they turn it around (they’ve had slow starts the last few seasons), but if they lose their home opener against the Als on Friday, it’s panic time in Tiger Town.

 

Montreal Alouettes – Pretenders (Last Week – Pretenders)

A bye week keeps the Als where they were last week. Not much else to say here. A win in Hamilton could start changing my mind about them, though.

 

Ottawa Redblacks – Pretenders (Last Week – Pretenders)

Maybe the return of Jeremiah Masoli soon changes things in Ottawa? I sure hope so because as much as I like Nick Arbuckle the person, he’s been awful as the starting QB this season. Masoli can’t be ready soon enough.

 

Saskatchewan Roughriders – Contenders (Last Week – Contenders)

This is the most positive I’ve seen Rider fans after an 18 point loss that I’ve ever seen (and I’ve seen this team lose by 18+ quite a few times). Trevor Harris found chemistry and big plays with Tevin Jones, Samuel Emilus and Shawn Bane Jr. so I have little concern about that now. O-Line is still a concern and the lack of a consistent running game so far is going to raise questions sooner rather than later unless they improve.

 

Toronto Argonauts – Contenders (Last Week – Pretenders)

Ok, Chad Kelly, I may have been wrong about you. He had a hat trick of TDs in the first half against the Ticats and generally looked pretty good and in control of that game. He’s got a lot of skill around him and if he doesn’t turn the ball over, the Argos are going to run the East Division.

 

Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Contenders (Last Week – Contenders)

The Riders have a very solid defense and the Bombers exploited it and had their way with them to the tune of 45 points. If there is any concern with the Bombers, it has to be their own D that has question marks. They’ve given up a lot of points so far.