Hello, football fans. Week 5 of the 2025 CFL schedule came to an end yesterday. What we saw was another week of entertaining football that still carried the themes of every week. We saw a walk-off field goal from B.C. with 0.2 seconds left in the game to a hungry Hamilton team that wanted to make a statement in Toronto against their arch-rivals. We also witnessed Edmonton finally getting into the win column. It was a combination of great defence, outstanding special teams play, and creative offensive schemes that were on display in week 5.
Here are your CFL News Hub Power Rankings after week 5.
Previous ranking: 2
Record: 4-0
The boys in Green and White were not active in week 5, as they were on a bye week. Factoring in some upsets that had transpired in week 5, Saskatchewan now sits in the number 1 spot in these rankings.
Next game: Friday, July 11th vs. Calgary
Previous ranking: 4
Record: 3-1
On record, a lot of football fans were expecting a close game when Calgary took on Winnipeg in week 5. Let's say Calgary made an impressive statement in the West Division with an amazing 37-16 win over Winnipeg. A 30-yard interception return for a touchdown at the 1:19 mark left in the 1st quarter by Damon Webb, followed by another pick-6 to the house for 70 yards by Derrick Moncrief in the 4th quarter at the 13.05 mark, Calgary was firing on all cylinders. It was also the inaugural Stampede Bowl, which this year coincided with the annual Calgary Stampede.
Next game: Friday, July 11th in Saskatchewan
Previous ranking: 1
Record: 3-1
Winnipeg was able to do a lot of good things offensively when they entered Cow Town. Unfortunately, they left too many points off the board in week 5 vs. Calgary. Calgary was able to exploit the miscues made by Winnipeg and took full advantage of their opportunities, resulting in a 37-16 upset win over Winnipeg. Every team in this league will hit a bump on the road. In the case of Winnipeg, they have to put this game behind them and move forward to their next game to regroup.
Next game: Winnipeg is on a bye for week 6. Their next game will be Friday, July 18th, vs. Calgary.
Previous ranking: 5
Record: 2-2
Hamilton has looked impressive with their current 2-game winning streak. A 35-17 win over Montreal in week 4 was followed up with a statement game in the battle of the Queen Elizabeth Way. Hamilton did not just beat their hated rivals, Toronto; they rubbed salt in the wound. Bo Levi Michell was unstoppable with a 5-touchdown performance that decimated the Toronto secondary. When it came to the aerial game, the Toronto secondary had no answer to Kenny Lawler, who had a total of 207 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. They would leave BMO Field with a video game victory score of 51-38 over Toronto.
Next game: Saturday, July 12th vs. Ottawa
Previous ranking: 3
Record: 3-2
Montreal was looking to put the loss to Hamilton last week behind them and regroup for week 5 when they faced off with the Lions. Unfortunately for Montreal, the B.C. defence played a textbook road game in not giving up the big plays that would put their team in a hole in a hostile environment. Sometimes, you are not going to have an offensive explosion in a football game. As this was the case in week 5 for Montreal, it was one of those blue-collar grind-out football games. Montreal would fall to B.C. 21-20. The Montreal defence has still been impressive this season. Unfortunately, in the last two games, the offence sputtered at key moments of the game.
Next game: Montreal is on a bye for week 6. Their next game will be on Thursday, July 17th, vs. Toronto.
6, BC Lions
Previous ranking: 7
Record: 2-3
For B.C., it was a tall task ahead of them when they were on the road in Montreal to take on one of the league's finest. It was not pretty, but what B.C. did was impressive, to say the least, with not letting the game get out of hand. We have to credit the B.C. defence that stalled Montreal's drives on many occasions. Although it appeared to be a simple game at times, they used the clock to their advantage in the 4th quarter, which led to a Sean Whyte walk-off field goal to seal a 21-20 victory.
Next game: Sunday, July 13th in Edmonton
Previous ranking: 9
Record: 1-3
Edmonton was the last team in the CFL without recording a victory for the 2025 CFL season. With an impressive but short-lived run in week 4 with a 36-23 defeat to Winnipeg, Edmonton was looking for answers to play a full 60-minute game. Edmonton came out flying with a 22-3 lead over Ottawa late in the 2nd quarter. However, as we all know in the CFL, no lead is safe. Justin Rankin led the way on the offence with 12 carries for 105 yards and 1 touchdown. He would also be instrumental in the passing attack with 4 receptions for 69 yards, and 1 touchdown. Javon Leake broke out as well with 1 reception for 46 yards, 5 punt returns for 163 yards and 1 touchdown. It is a huge weight lifted off of Edmonton's shoulders to break the goose egg in 2025.
Next game: Sunday, July 13th vs. B.C.
Previous ranking: 8
Record: 1-4
Ottawa entered week 5 on the road in Edmonton. There were plenty of good things Ottawa did in Edmonton. However, what hurt them dramatically was playing catch-up for the whole game. The offence was there, coming back to put points on the scoreboard. It was the Ottawa defence that allowed too many points that was their kryptonite. It was a very entertaining game for Ottawa with 405 total yards, but Edmonton halted Ottawa late in the game to secure a 39-33 victory.
Next game: Saturday, July 12th in Hamilton
Previous ranking: 6
Record: 1-4
How do we even start with Toronto? What was supposed to be the most hyped game on their calendar thus far, with Hamilton, was anything but a rivalry from Toronto in week 5. Toronto was outmatched in this game. They could not contain anything on the punt and kickoff when Hamilton received the ball, and more importantly, they were exposed at will with the deep ball, where Bo Levi Mitchell had a field day with the Toronto secondary. Although the offence has gotten better overall, even with the absence of Chad Kelly, the trend this season so far for Toronto is the lack of special teams coverage and the defence allowing too many big plays that are too costly for the Argos.
Next game: Toronto is on a bye for week 6. Their next game will be on Thursday, July 17th, in Montreal.
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