CFL POWER RANKINGS WEEK 15
1. (1) CALGARY
They had to make a last minute field goal to earn their 10th straight win. All of that became moot, however, when one of their practice roster players, defensive back Mylan Hicks, was shot and killed outside a Calgary night club a few hours later. No one knows how this will affect the Stampeders going forward, but it will be something to watch.
2. (2) B.C.
The Leos lost for just the second time in their last seven games, but it didn’t hurt them in the race for second place in the West because the Bombers also lost and remain half a game behind the Lions. Terrell Sinkfield made no impact on the outcome in his Lions debut.
3. (3) WINNIPEG
The Blue and Gold were unable to seal the deal in Calgary as the Stampeders won. The Bombers are better this year, but they still haven’t beaten a team that currently has a winning record.
4. (6) OTTAWA
The first place Redblacks served notice on Friday night that they still have what it takes to contend for top spot in the East Division, although that won’t be much of an accomplishment this season. The team suffered a big blow against the Argos with the loss of left tackle SirVincent Rogers for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.
5. (4) HAMILTON
The Tabbies went into their road game with the Roughriders missing most of their starting receivers, and it showed as the offence had trouble getting anything going against a Saskatchewan defence that has allowed a league highest 31.2 points per game.
6. (8) EDMONTON
The Eskimos snapped a three-game losing streak, hopped into playoff position through the crossover rule and beat a good Lions team. Shakir Bell solidified himself as the team’s starting running back with a 100-yard performance, and the much maligned defence stood tall against one of the league’s top offences.
7. (7) SASKATCHEWAN
The Riders have their first winning streak in more than two years after their last second triumph over the TigerCats. There are definitely some signs of a positive future for Chris Jones and Co. in Regina. Receivers Caleb Holley and Naaman Roosevelt, and defensive back Justin Cox are solid pieces.
8. (5) TORONTO
Keeping Ricky Ray over Trevor Harris is going to haunt this franchise for a while. It kept the Argos out of playoff position last week when Harris led the Redblacks to a convincing triumph over the Boatmen at TD Place. Drew Willy took over for Dan LeFevour in the loss and has to be the franchise’s No. 1 quarterback from here on out with Ray being unable to remain healthy.
9. (9) MONTREAL
The Jacques Chapdelaine era as head coach begins this week, but no one knows how long it will last. Will it be the rest of the season, or will it continue into 2017? Montreal’s goal for the rest of this campaign should be not finishing in last place overall, or else it will be reminded ad nauseam all off-season that it gave up the first overall selection in next year’s draft for backup quarterback Vernon Adams.