It was another great week of football as we inch closer to the postseason.
Hamilton got back in the win column, beating Ottawa 34-16. A struggling Saskatchewan team were outplayed by Calgary, losing 37-31. BC won only on field goals against Toronto, 24-17. The week would end with Montreal trouncing Winnipeg 37-10.
Hello CFL Fans! Here are your CFL News Hub Power Rankings after Week 18.
Record: 12-3
Previous ranking: 1
Congratulations to Tyson Philpot!
Tyson Philpot broke the single-season record for most yards by a Canadian with 1,735, and the most receptions at 119 (formerly 113). What made it more special was the presence of former Alouette greats Ben Cahoon and Jamel Richardson to witness the occasion.
Montreal has been rolling all season long with minimal bumps along the road.
The Alouettes defence dominated the Winnipeg running game, holding them to a team total of 46 yards.
What was impressive was that after the 14-10 Montreal lead at the end of the 1st quarter, Montreal kept Winnipeg off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.
Next game: Monday, October 12th, 2026, vs. Saskatchewan.
2 – BC Lions
Record: 9-6
Previous ranking: 3
The Lions are roaring! Again.
After a 1-5 start, the Lions are the hottest team in the CFL, surging to an 8-1 record since their Week 14 loss.
BC entered Toronto and encountered a difficult defence to break down.
Vincent Blanchard set a CFL record with 9 field goals in Week 17 for the Edmonton Elks. That trend continued with BC kicker Sean Whyte. His 8 field goals were the only offensive production by the BC Lions in a 24- 17 win.
The BC defence did a good job monitoring Nick Arbuckle and giving up only two touchdowns.
The red-hot Lions are making a big statement at the right time. They are one of the most feared teams as the playoff rounds are soon to begin.
Next game: Friday, October 9th, 2026, vs. Ottawa.
3 – Edmonton Elks
Record: 11-4
Previous ranking: 2
Week 18 was a day of rest for Edmonton, and it could not have come at a better time. With three weeks remaining on the season schedule, followed by the playoff rounds.
If Edmonton beats Hamilton in Week 19, followed by a BC loss, Edmonton will win the West Division.
Next game: Friday, October 9th, 2026, in Hamilton.
Record: 9-7
Previous ranking: 4
With a fixture vs. the Lions, it had all the makings of an offensive showdown. It was the opposite.
Both the Lions and Argos defences made big plays to halt one another's offence.
The key moment for the Argos came at the 00:30 mark of the 4th quarter. Marked at the BC 1-yard line, the Argos were stuffed twice on a potential touchdown.
BC would take over on downs to seal the victory.
Credit the Toronto defence for fending off Nathan Rourke. Rourke went 15 for 32 for 254 yards and no touchdown passes.
Next game: Toronto will be the lone team on a bye during Week 19. This also coincides with the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend. Their next game is during Week 20 on Friday, October 16th, 2026, in Ottawa.
Record: 8-8
Previous ranking: 7
The Stampeders are saddling up at the moment with their high-octane offence in their last three games played.
Keeping their playoff picture relevant, the Stampeders took nothing for granted playing the spoiler role vs. Saskatchewan.
Up 20-13 entering the 4th quarter, the Stampeders put the exclamation point on it with back-to-back touchdowns, extending their lead to 34-13 with 05:20 left in the game.
Next game: Saturday, October 10th, 2026, in Winnipeg.
Record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 5
The Saskatchewan tailspin is really at a peak right now.
To make matters worse, they now have a back-to-back series vs. Montreal, only to end their season against Edmonton. Provided that Montreal rests players for the majority of the game in one of those two games, followed by Edmonton in the season finale, things look bleak for Saskatchewan.
Next game: Monday, October 12th, 2026, in Montreal.
Record: 7-8
Previous ranking: 6
Winnipeg is hanging on by a thread at the moment, potentially running the risk of missing the 2026 CFL playoffs.
Since Week 8, the Blue Bombers have gone 3-6. To say the panic button has been hit in “Friendly Manitoba” is an understatement.
To make the playoffs a reality, the Blue Bombers need to run the table to play it safe. And it won't be easy with their remaining games against Calgary, Edmonton, and BC.
Next game: Saturday, October 10th, 2026, vs. Calgary.
Record: 5-11
Previous ranking: 8
It was a meaningless game for the Black and Gold. With that said, credit Hamilton for fighting for a win, regardless of who they played.
The Hamilton defence took nothing for granted, shutting down Ottawa’s offence to no points allowed in the 2nd half.
Harrison Frost had a great game, throwing for 342 passing yards, 2 touchdown passes and a lone interception.
The always reliable Kenny Lawler torched the Ottawa secondary for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Next game: Friday, October 9th, 2026, vs. Edmonton.
9 - Ottawa Redblacks
Record: 0-15
Previous ranking: 9
After three close games that were there for the taking for Ottawa, Week 18 was a return to reality.
The 0-15 record is a new record for the most losses to start a season. Ottawa unfortunately is part of CFL history this season for all the wrong reasons.
Ottawa surpasses the 0-14 record held by the 1994 Shreveport Pirates.
Next game: Friday, October 9th, 2026, in BC.