Safimod’s 2019 Power Rankings – Week 17 Edition

Safimod’s 2019 Power Rankings – Week 17 Edition

Published: Tuesday, Oct 8th 2019, 1:10pm

By: Stephen Safinuk (@Safimod)

1 – Hamilton Tiger-cats (12-3) (LW: 2)

2 – Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-4) (LW: 3)

3 – Montreal Alouettes (8-6) (LW: 4)

4 – Calgary Stampeders (9-5) (LW: 1)

5 – BC Lions (5-10) (LW: 5)

6 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-6) (LW: 6)

7 – Edmonton Eskimos (6-9) (LW: 7)

8 – Toronto Argonauts (2-12) (LW: 8)

9 – Ottawa REDBLACKS (3-11) (LW: 9)

What a difference a few weeks make in the CFL. 4 weeks ago, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers trounced the Saskatchewan Roughriders at home, setting themselves up for a good shot at a home playoff game. 3 consecutive losses later, and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will need some help to finish top 2 in the West Division. Not sure what the Bombers trust sees in Chris Streveler, but I sure hope they continue to see whatever it is, because the longer he is behind center, the better the Riders chances are of finding themselves in the West Final.

The Tiger-Cats walked all over the floundering Edmonton Eskimos on Friday night in Hamilton, with a convincing 42-12 win over the Evil Empire. They have all but clinched the #1 seed in the East with 3 games left in the regular season. 1 more win, or Montreal loss will see the path to the Grey Cup game in Calgary travel through Steeltown.

Speaking of Edmonton, they are in serious trouble of finding themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time if they don’t right their ship soon. Their loss, combined with yet another BC Lions win, means they have to wait yet another week to clinch the 6^th and final playoff spot. Each team has 3 games left, and Edmonton needs 1 win or BC Loss to clinch a playoff spot, but nothing they have shown my lately suggests they are going to get their win. Edmonton has BC, Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan to close out the season. BC has Edmonton, Saskatchewan, and Calgary.  I hope BC wins on Saturday night, just to see things get real exciting over the final 2 games. Who would have thought the 1-10 BC Lions would be the team to make the race for that final spot interesting.

Congratulations to the Montreal Alouettes, for clinching their first playoff berth since 2014. The conspiracy of a Rider/Als 10-year reunion can continue. The Alouettes did both teams a favour, by beating the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon, pushing the Riders into 1^st in the West.

The Argos suffered yet another humiliating defeat, this time at the hands of those BC Lions, and with it, came the end of Jim Popp’s tenure in Toronto. Not surprising, given how horribly this season has gone. Bringing in Pinball Clemons to replace Popp as General Manager is an interesting choice. Hopefully it pans out for them.

And finally – good news, REDBLACKS fans. You didn’t lose this weekend. Huzzah!