With another week of football in the books, fans were treated to a lot of games that came down to the wire, along with a big upset of the week. Montreal came back to beat Calgary, and Edmonton kept the game close against Saskatchewan. Toronto caused a big upset with a win over Winnipeg. The week wrapped up with a classic, with a Hamilton come-from-behind victory over BC.
Here are your CFL News Hub Power Rankings after week 8.
Record: 6-1
Previous ranking: 2
It was not pretty from an offensive perspective from a Saskatchewan point of view. Good teams still find ways to win. The Saskatchewan defence was in a zone and recorded a staggering eight sacks in this game against Edmonton, led by Micah Johnson (2 sacks), Shane Ray (2 sacks), Malik Carney (2 sacks), CJ Reavis (1 sack), and AJ Allan (1 sack). More importantly, they kept Edmonton to only 4 points entering the 4th quarter.
Next game: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at Montreal
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 3
Hamilton has experienced their first five-game winning streak since 2019. After starting off the 2025 season 0-2, it has been a complete turnaround in the Steel City. The resilience of the 2025 Hamilton Tiger-Cats has been impressive, and they are playing some of the best football when it comes to clock management. If you are a fan who loves offence, then this was your game. QB Bo Levi Mitchell was the maestro in the aerial game with 389 yards passing, 3 touchdown passes, and a lone interception. WR Kenny Lawler was double-teamed a few times in this game, which then opened up the passing game to other receivers. Kiondre Smith had 14 receptions for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bo Levi Mitchel also hit Tim White, going 6 for 6 with 86 yards, along with Brendan O’Leary Orange for 63 yards and a touchdown.
Next game: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, at Edmonton
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 4
This game did not disappoint if you’re a fan of tight games that go down to the wire. What Montreal did in this game was to make a statement. More importantly, QB McLoud Bethel-Thompson silenced the critics going head – to – head with one of the best quarterbacks in Vernon Adams Jr. The key moments in this game were in the 4th quarter. Jose Maltos was a perfect 5 for 5 in the field goal department. It was his 58-yard field goal with 1:18 left in the game that would eventually result in a 23-21 win for Montreal.
Next game: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, vs. Saskatchewan
4 – Calgary Stampeders
Record: 5-2
Previous ranking: 1
It was a game that could have gone either way when Calgary hosted Montreal in week 8. When Calgary was down 14-13 at halftime, they came out strong on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter with a 65-yard drive resulting in a touchdown. However, it would also be the last points they scored for the remainder of the game. Montreal would then counter with 9 unanswered points, all led by the leg of kicker Jose Maltos.
Next game: Thursday, July 31st, 2025, at Ottawa
Record: 3-3
Previous ranking: 5
For the Blue Bombers, their game against Toronto was one they would have loved to have back. What looked like a doable game for both respected football teams shifted firmly towards Toronto in the 2nd half. The strong special teams play and defence by the Argos made Winnipeg pay. Anytime you turn over the ball 7 times in a game, there is no chance of winning. Toronto received an emotional boost with this win to defeat a team with a winning record. More importantly, QB Zach Collaros was not available for the start of the 3rd quarter, as there were reports of an undisclosed injury. We hope the best for Zach Collaros’s health. Both teams will meet up again in a return match.
Next game: Friday, August 1st, 2025, vs. Toronto
6 – BC Lions
Record: 3-5
Previous ranking: 6
The BC Lions did all they could have done against Hamilton and fell short. This was one of those see-saw battles that saw momentum shift on many occasions. Hamilton was able to come back and snag a big road win in BC. The problem for BC was the lack of offensive drives to close out the game post 4:12 in the 4th quarter. They were up 33-23 at this point after scoring a touchdown. The one dagger, and a very questionable call, came at the 00:20 mark of the 4th quarter when officials called a pass interference in favour of Hamilton. WR Kiondre Smith would then score a touchdown with 00:20 left in the game. There was no deliberate act of pass interference, but legs got tangled while looking at the ball in the air. Aside from that, BC was looking good enough to win this game.
Next game: BC will be in a bye this week. Their next game will be on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 at Hamilton.
7 – Toronto Argonauts
Record: 2-5
Previous ranking: 8
Toronto was looking like a team that would be outmatched when Winnipeg arrived at BMO Field for their Grey Cup rematch. Entering week 8 with a 1-5 record, and a defence that has been challenging in stopping the run and pass all season, all elements appeared to be on Winnipeg’s side. Toronto looked like a team that was the complete opposite of how their season has come to be thus far in 2025. The Argos were a team that executed their plays on both sides of the ball for the majority of the game and stunned Winnipeg with a commanding 31-17 win. WR Damonte Coxie played some lights-out football with 6 receptions for 145 yards and 1 touchdown. The defence did their part, holding Winnipeg to only 16 first downs and 227 passing yards from both Zach Collaros and Chris Streveler. Both teams end their head-to-head series next week when they meet again in week 9.
Next game: Friday, August 1st, 2025, at Winnipeg.
8 – Edmonton Elks
Record: 1-5
Previous ranking: 9
With Edmonton entering week 7 with a 1-4 record, changes had to be made, mainly at the signal-caller position. With the ups and downs at times, with QB Tre Ford at the helm, Cody Fajardo would start his first game for the 2025 CFL season. Edmonton did have flashes of good football when they took on Saskatchewan. The defence played well and kept them in the game. The problem was the lack of offence to cause a real threat. With only 4 total points entering the 4th quarter, Edmonton was able to score 14 more points backloaded in the 4th quarter to make the overall game more presentable. The one positive was that they did not get blown out in this game, as the defence played a tight game in key moments to not let the game get out of hand. Allowing 8 sacks did not help out either, as those were valuable yards lost that could have been more productive.
Next game: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 vs. Hamilton
9 – Ottawa Redblacks
Record: 1-6
Previous ranking: 7
Ottawa was on a bye in week 8 and will now turn their attention when they host Calgary. As the losses pile up, Ottawa has to find a solution to get into a winning formula sooner rather than later. More importantly, they have to protect QB Dru Brown. Dru Brown has absorbed too many hits this season. If there is going to be a surprise turnaround in Ottawa, Dru Brown has to be healthy to grind out the 2nd half of the season post Labour Day.
Next game: Thursday, July 31st, 2025, vs. Calgary
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