Week 2 of the CFL 2023 Regular Season is in the books. The league’s top two teams in the West remain unbeaten. But Week 2 saw the defending CFL Champion Toronto Argonauts kick off their new campaign in style at home against Hamilton.
Let’s look at how the CFL’s teams stack up from top to bottom heading into Week 3.
CFL 2023: Week 3 Power Rankings
#1: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Last game: 45-27 road win over Saskatchewan
Next game: Home vs. B.C. Lions, Thu. June 22
The best team in the CFL’s modern era continues to shine the brightest. The Blue Bombers were challenged in Week 2 by a game Trevor Harris-led Roughriders team. However, ultimately, when push came to shove. Once again, Mike O’Shea’s Winnipeg team soared past Saskatchewan to another spectacular victory.
Week 2’s Winnipeg win was a total team effort with clutch plays by several players down the stretch. But Janarion Grant’s otherworldly 90-yard punt return td shifted momentum and stole the whole show.
If possible, the Bombers, as illustrated here in the last two power ranking articles, before and now during the season, look better than ever. Winnipeg looks like a hungry and highly motivated team to regain its throne atop the CFL.
In Week 3, they face off with a genuine contender for their perch atop the league in the B.C. Lions. The Blue Bombers and Leos will meet twice more during the regular season after Thursday night. But it’s likely they will square off again in the postseason. Thursday night’s game serves as the first salvo in the 2023 series.
#2: Toronto Argonauts (1-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Last game: 32-14 home victory over Hamilton
Next game: On The Road vs. Edmonton, Sun. June 25
The defending Grey Cup and 18-time CFL champion Toronto Argonauts opened their season by sending a statement against Hamilton on Sunday night, sailing to an easy 32-14 win at BMO Field.
The Chad Kelly era has begun in a strong way. And you get the feeling that an ultra-talented Toronto team was merely scratching the surface of its potential as they clawed past the Ti-Cats with relative ease.
It’s only one game; after all, there are 17 more of them left. But you get the sense that the Argos’ position as a championship contender is rock solid. The team that took down Winnipeg last November to deny a three-peat doesn’t appear to be a fluke or a one-time thing. The Boatmen look like they are built to last.
Corey Mace’s new toys on defence, DE Folarin Orimolade, and Adarius Pickett, paid high dividends for Double Blue in their debuts.
Next week’s Argos game does represent a trap. Toronto will be riding off a high, heading West to face a desperate Elks team looking to win in Edmonton finally. The champs need to guard against a letdown.
Here comes the L.L. Cool J references. Edmonton certainly wasn’t a muscle-bound outfit in Week 2. Nevertheless, as expected, the Lions crushed them like jelly beans and put their faces in the sand.
Things didn’t go as smoothly for Vernon Adams and B.C.’s offence in Week 2 as they did in the opener. But perhaps, that’s the impressive aspect of the Leos’ 22-0 victory over Edmonton. B.C.’s ability to lean on their underrated defence and special teams. Two areas of the team that are of high quality but often overshadowed by the team’s high-powered passing attack.
"Congratulations to the offence & special teams. Defence – play better next time!"
It's a light mood in the #BCLions dressing room following a home opener WIN & the team's first shutout since 1977.
After a rough opening week loss to B.C, Calgary got exactly what it needed. A get-right opponent in the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Who, quite frankly, with their current QB situation, is listless.
The Young Stampeders need to build up early-season momentum any way they can. There’s a clear pecking order at the top of the West, but a victory over the Riders next week could get Calgary back into the conversation.
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) June 17, 2023
Typically a three-score loss at home never qualifies as a moral victory. But in this rare case, the Riders’ 45-27 defeat at the hands of Winnipeg does. Saskatchewan hung with the Western Champs for three quarters before Janorian Grant defied logic and led a Bombers avalanche.
One of the unsung stars of the CFL in Week 2 is, without a doubt, Trevor Harris. The often underappreciated veteran pivot was not expected to play this weekend but suited up for the Riders and delivered a heck of a performance.
With some help from Samuel Emilus, who broke out with three touchdowns. Harris passed for 405 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. It was an impressive effort.
The Riders have a huge game coming up at Calgary in week 3. Saskatchewan can make a statement in that contest. But as long as they have Trevor Harris, they will be in contention all season.
#6: Montreal Alouettes (1-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Previous game: Week 1, 19-12 home victory over Ottawa
Next game: On The Road vs. Hamilton, Friday. June 23
You can’t lose if you don’t play. And in this situation, based on what is happening in the East around them. Week 2 made Montreal’s side of the fence look like a winning one compared to that of a banged-up 0-2 Hamilton team and a winless Redblacks squad.
In Week 3, The Als have a chance to lay the Hammer…. in the Hammer against the Ti-Cats. Knock them down to 0-3, and create some early distance in the division. Montreal has a lot to prove coming off a win against not so impressive Ottawa bunch. But that might be in a right place at the right time situation this coming week.
#7: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Last game: 32-14 road loss to the Argonauts
Next game: Home vs. the Montreal, Sun. June 25
There’s no doubt that Hamilton drew the short end of the stick to open their season. Road games against Winnipeg and Toronto. But considering how poorly things went for them, especially against the Argos. Doubt has definitely arrived at the Ti-Cats’ doorstep.
Sunday Night’s 32-14 loss to Toronto was bitter. However, what’s worse is that injuries continue to pile up on the Ti-Cats offensive line. Bo Levi Mitchell has struggled to operate in a collapsing pocket, and it’s challenging to see a quick fix in sight. Perhaps heading home in Week 3 will help Hamilton course-correct their season.
#8: Edmonton Elks (0-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Last game: 22-0 road loss to the B.C. Lions
Next game: Home vs. the Toronto Argonauts, Sun. June 25
After a demoralizing 17-13 loss at home in Week 1. The Edmonton Elks followed that up with a dud in Week 2 against B.C.
Chris Jones’s squad were heavy underdogs going into this past weekend. And understandably so, going into the Lions’ den. However, the fashion in how Edmonton lost was disheartening.
The Elks defence, to their credit for the second week in a row, played well enough to give the team a chance. But Edmonton’s offensive attack with quarterback Taylor Cornelius (13/23 91 yards, 1 interception) was a disaster.
Considering all the high-profile talent Edmonton has compiled at receiver. The Elks should be much better offensively than they’ve shown in the early part of the season. The change at QB for Edmonton could come as early as next Sunday night at home. A place where the Elks haven’t experienced a victory in four years.
Next game: Week 4 Home vs. the Edmonton Elks, Friday. June 30
Teams in the CFL would prefer to not have an early season bye week. However, in the case of Ottawa, it couldn’t come at a better time for them. The Redblacks need to regroup in Week 3 and hope that when they return to action, Jeremiah Masoli is leading the way for them at QB.
Bob Dyce’s special teams (what else) gave Ottawa a puncher’s chance against Calgary in Week 2. They forced a turnover and returned a punt for a touchdown. As a result, the Redblacks hung tough against the Stamps. But the poor play of Nick Arbuckle and a game but raw Tyrie Adams is not going to get the job done.
There’s still a long season ahead and plenty of time for teams like Ottawa to change their course. But for now, the script has stayed the same for bottom-tier franchises like Edmonton and Ottawa.
