POWER RANKINGS WEEK 18

1.

Calgary (1)

The Stamps beat Montreal just barely on the strength of their defensive front seven and almost nothing else. QB Bo Levi Mitchell wasn’t sharp, his receivers lost 50/50 balls all day long and kicker Rene Paredes missed a gimme of a field goal at a crucial time. That kind of lackadaisical performance won’t beat any of Calgary’s remaining opponents: B.C., Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.

2.

Saskatchewan (3)

The Riders also won a game on the merits of a defence that flattened Mike Reilly and the Eskimos offence as if that unit was flimsy spring wheat in a wind storm. (Feel free to substitute your own farming analogy if unhappy with that one.) The Riders have the inside track on hosting the West semifinal inside that Mosaic madhouse, where they are a formidable foe.

3.

Hamilton (4)

The Tabbies have elected to receive the bye-week bump courtesy of the enigmatic Redblacks, who came up short at home again, losing an OT decision to the Bombers. The homeand-home series between Hamilton and Ottawa will almost certainly decide the East winner and you have to like the Ticats’ chances. You might also have to like QB Jeremiah Masoli as the strongest MOP candidate. And not just in the East.

4.

Winnipeg (5)

The Bombers’ offence is going to be fun to watch down the stretch now that QB Matt Nichols has regained his lost confidence and RB Andrew Harris is in a battle with Ottawa’s William Powell for the league rushing title. Fresh off road wins in Edmonton and Ottawa, the Bombers are eyeballing at least a crossover playoff spot, if not a place in the West semifinal.

5.

Ottawa (2)

The in-game fluctuations in performance continue to astound. QB Trevor Harris was so bad in the first half against Winnipeg and so good in the fourth quarter. That inconsistency continues to cost them and their lead atop the East is tenuous at best.

6.

B.C. (6)

There might be trouble brewing in Lotus Land after GM Ed Hervey said Jonathon Jennings doesn’t spend enough time on his craft to be an elite QB. Then again, if Travis Lulay returns soon from injury, Jennings will be back on the sidelines and it might just be a tempest in a matcha pot for the west coasters.

7.

Edmonton (7)

There is something wrong with the compete and/or talent levels on this team as they lose way too many oneon-one battles. Their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread.

8.

Montreal (8)

Those observers capable of looking past an improving Johnny Manziel should see an athletic, aggressive Rich Stubler defence that has been anchored all year by middle linebacker Henoc Muamba, now a serious candidate for most outstanding defensive player in the East.

9.

Toronto (9)

Way too little James Franklin, way too late. But the young QB will get another chance after McLeod Bethel-Thompson proved incapable, time and again, of leading the Argos anywhere.