Safimod’s 2018 Power Rankings – Week 18

Safimod’s 2018 Power Rankings – Week 18

Published: Monday, Oct 15th 2018, 1:10pm

by: Stephen Safinuk (@Safimod)

1 – Calgary (12-3)

2 – Winnipeg (9-7)

3 – Hamilton (8-7)

4 – Saskatchewan (10-6)

5 – BC (8-7)

6 – Edmonton (8-8)

7 – Ottawa (8-7)

8 – Toronto (3-12)

9 – Montreal (3-12)

If you are a fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, that weekend could not have gone much worse. If you are a fan of any of the other Western teams, it certainly looked pretty good. The top 2 teams in the division (Calgary and Saskatchewan) both lost, while the 3 teams chasing Saskatchewan all won. While this technically means that the Riders still have an outside shot at 1^st place, their shot at home playoff game odds took a hit in the process. They still need a win and a BC loss to clinch the always elusive home playoff game.

Speaking of the Riders – they went into Winnipeg with a firm grip on 2^nd in the West and proceeded to embarrass themselves on their way to a 31-0 loss to Winnipeg. Full props to Winnipeg for coming in with a great game plan, though they certainly had a ton of help from the Rider’s receivers dropping everything they could get their hands on. A loss would have eliminated the Bombers from home playoff contention, but they still need some help to finish 2^nd.

Travis Lulay and the BC Lions kept their hold on 4^th in the West with a solid 26-21 win over the league leading Calgary Stampeders. This win, combined with Edmonton’s dominating win over the Ottawa REDBLACKS, tightened up the standings in the West. Saskatchewan can finish anywhere from 1^st to 4^th. Winnipeg, BC and Edmonton could all finish anywhere from 2^nd to 5^th. Calgary doesn’t yet know if they will be hosting a home playoff game on the 11^th of November or the 18^th (though their odds are still VERY good for the 18^th).

On the flip side, Hamilton and Toronto will battle it out the next 2 weeks to decide who hosts the eAst Semi against the Western crossover team, and who finishes 1^st and awaits the winner.

Toronto and Montreal both will play out the final 3 weeks of the season with only pride on the line, having been officially eliminated last week (although they were effectively eliminated weeks ago).