Safimod’s 2018 Power Rankings – Week 19

Safimod’s 2018 Power Rankings – Week 19

Published: Monday, Oct 22nd 2018, 6:10pm

By: Stephen Safinuk (@Safimod)

1 – Winnipeg (9-7)

2 – Saskatchewan (11-6)

3 – BC (9-7)

4 – Calgary (12-4)

5 – Ottawa (9-7)

6 – Hamilton (8-8)

7 – Edmonton (8-9)

It only took until week 19, but for the first time since the opening week of the season, there is a new king atop the CFL Power Rankings, and it is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Following back to back losses, plus a close win versus Montreal, Calgary appears to be on a downward spiral as the playoffs approach. They drop down 3 spots this week, and no longer have that firm grasp on 1^st in the West that was all but guaranteed 4 weeks ago. While they only need 1 win (or tie) or 1 Saskatchewan loss/tie to host the West Final, they don’t have an easy schedule to make it happen. The Stampeders will have to go in to IGF and beat a team that needs a win to make the playoffs, and then head out to BC to take on the BC Lions who have only lost once at home all season. Meanwhile, the Roughriders need only beat those same Lions at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday night, and hope for a little help from a couple Western Division rivals.

Speaking of the Riders, they move up to 2^nd this week after their dominating win over Calgary on Saturday night. While the score was close, the Riders controlled the majority of that game. It is no coincidence their best offensive effort comes with Patrick Lavoie getting comfortable, and Jordan Williams-Lambert getting healthy. Zach Collaros had easily his best game in Green and White and looked to put a disastrous effort versus Winnipeg behind him.

The Bombers move up from 2^nd to first on their bye week only because I can’t, in good conscience, drop them below Saskatchewan after destroying them 31-0 only a week ago. Short week or not, the Bombers showed last week why they are one of the hottest teams in the CFL right now. It may have come too little too late, as they still could potentially miss the playoffs if they lose their final 2 games of the season.

Ottawa’s roller coaster ride on the Safimod Power Rankings continues this week as they move back up 2 spots to 4^th in the CFL after a 35-31 win over the Ti-Cats. 1 win in their final two games will clinch the East Final at TD Place Stadium on November 18^th. A special congrats to Lewis Ward on breaking Adam Vinatieri’s pro football record for consecutive field goals. Did you know he worked as a security guard at TD Place Stadium last year? Crazy, right?

Hamilton takes their own tumble down the rankings, falling from 3^rd to 6^th. While they have already clinched a home playoff date, their chances of a Grey Cup berth took a tumble when Brandon Banks broke his clavicle. They will be in tough against whichever Western Division team crosses over on Remembrance Day.

Edmonton falls from 6^th to 7^th, and is in very serious danger of missing the playoffs during their Grey Cup hosting year again, as they did in 2010. Jason Maas’ questionable decision to kick a field goal on 1^st and 10 (does he never learn) may be the play that decides their season. They will need Calgary to beat Winnipeg this week if they want to have a chance to buy back their locker room during Grey Cup Week.