Hello CFL fans. The closer we get to the end of the 2025 regular season schedule, every game feels like a playoff-type football game. Moreso for the teams fighting for a playoff spot. What fans witnessed in week 17 was Montreal able to regain its stride over Calgary. BC continued their win streak over Toronto. With the bear being poked this season, Winnipeg showed a dominant display over Hamilton. In the final game of the schedule, Edmonton took down the CFL’s best, Saskatchewan. Every team also wore their Indigenous-themed helmets designed by local Indigenous artists throughout Canada in remembrance of Truth and Reconciliation Day to be held on Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. In pre-game warmups, the Orange-themed Indigenous jerseys were worn.
Here are your CFL News Hub Power Rankings – the Aftermath of Week 17.
1 – Saskatchewan Roughriders
Record: 10-4
Previous ranking: 1
Saskatchewan was looking to create more separation in the West Division from Calgary, Winnipeg, and BC, respectively. However, they had a date on the road in Edmonton, who were a team fighting for a playoff spot. It had all the makings of a close game on record. The Riders got into trouble early, with 2 interceptions by the Edmonton defence. However, they were able to limit the turnovers with no touchdowns allowed by a stingy Saskatchewan defence. It really was a back-and-forth game with big plays at the right time for both Edmonton and Saskatchewan. Edmonton was able to take big shots in the 4th quarter from a lot of busted coverage by the Saskatchewan secondary. With that said, there was still time left on the clock in the 4th quarter for Saskatchewan to counter. They did just that with a TD with no time left on the clock. A 2-point conversion failed, giving Edmonton a 27-25 victory.
Next game: Friday, October 3rd, 2025, in Ottawa.
2 – Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 6
Winnipeg is a team that has been receiving a lot of negative attention for how its season has unfolded. There have been a lot of hot and cold moments for the Blue Bombers. It was a case of what version of Winnipeg would show up. Not only did they get a much-needed win over Hamilton, but they also displayed their vintage textbook version of what fans are used to seeing. It was the best game for Zach Collaros this season, with 20 of 25 passes completed for 357 yards and 1 touchdown pass. Nic Demski was a perfect 7 for 7 in receiving attempts for 114 yards. The engine behind the running game, Brady Oliveira, pounded the Hamilton defence for 98 yards, with a 6.5 average yards per carry. The Blue Bombers’ defence left no rock unturned, and Hamilton had no answer for scoring points. The Bombers would walk away with a 40-3 victory and stay in the playoff picture.
Next game: Winnipeg will be on a bye in week 18. Their next scheduled game will be on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, in Edmonton.
3 – Montreal Alouettes
Record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 5
It was a long-awaited return for QB Davis Alexander, who made his return vs. Calgary. This match-up had a lot riding on the line. Montreal came out swinging early, as it appeared that the Alouettes were taking nothing for granted to make up for some games lost. Montreal still had the possibility of being on the outside looking in, as they had to control their own destiny for the remainder of the schedule. The Montreal defence was stellar, allowing no more than 7 points in the 1st and 2nd quarters of the game. In the 2nd half, it was only 3 points allowed in both the 3rd and 4th quarters. Tyrice Beverette had a big game with 9 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception. Davis Alexander was also impressive in his return, contributing with 350 passing yards and 1 touchdown pass. Montreal inched closer to an official playoff spot. Davis Alexander has also extended his undefeated streak to 9-0 since playing his first CFL start.
Next game: Montreal will be on a bye in week 18. Their next scheduled game will be on Monday, October 13th, 2025, vs. Ottawa.
4 – Calgary Stampeders
Record: 8-6
Previous ranking: 4
The positive for Calgary is that they also control their own destiny. However, this could all come crashing down in a hurry as they cannot afford to take any games off for granted. With Edmonton, BC, and Winnipeg finding a spark, Calgary has to play a complete game of football sooner rather than later. To say that the showing from Calgary when they faced Montreal was sub-par is an understatement. It looked more like a counterintuitive game of football. It’s not going to get any easier, as they now have a date with BC.
Next game: Saturday, October 4th, 2025, in BC.
5 – Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 2
On record, this fixture between Hamilton and Winnipeg had many fans excited. Hamilton did not show up. And it was a big surprise. Bo Levi Mitchell was pressured a lot, and it showed in his statistics, with 21 of 32 passes completed for 212 yards. It was one of the rarest games in which Bo was shut out with no touchdown passes. Greg Bell was one of the bright spots, running for 88 yards with an 8.0 yards per carry. At the end of the day, Hamilton did not see the endzone. With Montreal only one game behind, Hamilton will have to shake this one off and move forward.
Next game: Saturday, October 4th, 2025, in Toronto.
6 – BC Lions
Record: 8-7
Previous ranking: 3
With a lot of teams needing wins down the stretch, BC was in the same category. It was not the typical offensive explosion that we have seen in the last five weeks by the Lions, as they face a hungry Toronto team that was also fighting for a playoff spot. It did not look good early in the game as Nathan Rourke tossed 2 interceptions. On a positive note, Toronto was unable to transform those interceptions into touchdowns. It was a credit to the BC defence, as they saved the day overall by halting Toronto on multiple drives to eliminate possible touchdowns. The score might not dictate it with a 27-22 victory over Toronto. The BC defence saved the offence with too many miscues.
Next game: Saturday, October 4th, 2025, vs. Calgary.
7 – Edmonton Elks
Record: 6-9
Previous ranking: 8
The Elks entered week 17 with heavy hearts, as Larry Thompson, the owner, recently passed away. It was a game that seemed to inspire the Elks as they locked horns with Saskatchewan in front of their home crowd. Edmonton looked hungry. It was a different, aggressive, and exciting brand of football that Edmonton fans were waiting for. Cody Fajardo played like he had ice in his veins. He was the Edmonton version of Joe Montana for that day. Cody found his inner “Joe Cool” under pressure and excelled with passing marks. The vision in the 2nd half and taking shots, exposing busted coverage by the Roughriders’ secondary was magical. Cody carried his team on his back and would not be denied. It was an emotional day in Edmonton, and the Elks won a big one.
Next game: Edmonton will be on a bye in week 18. Their next scheduled game will be on Saturday, October 11th, 2025, vs. Winnipeg.
8 – Toronto Argonauts
Record: 5-10
Previous ranking: 7
A reason why some Argo fans thought they could beat BC was that Nick Arbuckle was cleared to play. He was going to give the Double Blue the best chance to beat BC. It’s no knock on Jarret Doege. Nick Arbuckle simply gives you more experience. The problem that the Argos faced in this game was being unable to capitalize on the BC mistakes, along with not establishing a balanced offence. The running game was abandoned and was never brought back to throw off the BC defence. The Toronto offence was never in a position to find its groove. The Toronto defence took on too much, giving BC more opportunities to capitalize on previous miscues by their offence. In the end, Toronto put themselves in a spot where they are closer to 2 feet out the door for a potential playoff spot.
Next game: Saturday, October 4th, 2025, vs. Hamilton.
9 – Ottawa Redblacks
Record: 4-10
Previous ranking: 9
Ottawa was on a bye in week 17. They will now host Saskatchewan in week 18. For Ottawa, there is a slim chance of a playoff spot. However, to run the table for their last 5 games, they will need a lot of help going their way. Ottawa has the longest odds to obtain a playoff spot in 2025.
Next game: Friday, October 3rd, 2025, vs. Saskatchewan.
