Week 9 had some surprises as the week opened up with Winnipeg shutting out the BC Lions to win 25-0. The Edmonton Elks got their first win of the season as they won 42-31 over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The week concluded with the Calgary Stampeders storming back in the 4th quarter outscoring Toronto 21-0 in the 4th quarter to win 27-23. There are many changes to the Power Rankings as 3 out of the 4 games last week saw a team defeat an opponent ranked higher than them.
Predictions: CFL News Hub Writers’ Week 10 Picks
The Crown Holder and the Court Jester
Crown Holder 👑 – The Montreal Alouettes took back the Crown as they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33-16 in week 9 on the road. Montreal will look to defend the Crown in week 10 as they host Hamilton.
Court Jester 🃏 – The Edmonton Elks finally got rid of the title of Court Jester as they defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders 42-31. Saskatchewan will look to pass the title onto the RedBlacks as they travel to Ottawa on Thursday.
If a team defeats the Crown Holder they steal the Crown and become the new Crown Holder.
If a team loses to the Court Jester they become the new Court Jester thus freeing the previous team from being the Court Jester.
#1 Montreal Alouettes (7-1)👑
Previous Rank: 1
Week 1: Defeated Winnipeg on the road 27-12.
Week 2: Defeated Edmonton on the road 23-20.
Week 3: Defeated Ottawa at home 47-21.
Week 4: Defeated Toronto on the road 30-20.
Week 5: Defeated Calgary at home 30-26.
Week 6: Lost to Toronto at home 18-37.
Week 7: Bye week.
Week 8: Defeated Saskatchewan at home 20-16.
Week 9: Defeated Hamilton on the road 33-16.
The Montreal Alouettes have once again won despite being without their starting quarterback Cody Fajardo who left early in their week 6 loss to Toronto. Davis Alexander started at quarterback and completed 19 of his 27 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception. Caleb Evans also threw 1 pass which he connected with Charleston Rambo on for a 39-yard touchdown. Rambo finished the game with 4 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. Tyson Philpot caught 5 passes for 82 yards. On the ground, Walter Fletcher rushed 8 times for 56 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Najee Murray led the team in tackles with 10, and Tyrice Beverette recorded a sack. Both Kabion Ento and Bryce Cosby recorded an interception. It was another strong day for Montreal’s defense in limiting their opponent’s passing game as they held Bo Levi Mitchell to 240 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Montreal has only allowed 5 touchdown passes this season.
Montreal Alouettes (7-1) Week 10 Preview vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-6): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds
Week 10: Hosting Hamilton on Saturday.
#2 Ottawa RedBlacks (5-2)
Previous Rank: 5
Week 1: Bye Week
Week 2: Defeated Winnipeg at home 23-19.
Week 3: Lost to Montreal on the road 21-47.
Week 4: Defeated Hamilton at home 24-22.
Week 5: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 16-25.
Week 6: Defeated Edmonton on the road 37-34
Week 7: Defeated Edmonton at home 20-14.
Week 8: Defeated Calgary at home 33-6.
Week 9: Bye Week.
Ottawa was on the bye week in week 9 and will host Saskatchewan on Thursday. Ottawa jumps to 2nd place in the rankings due to teams ahead of them losing. BC lost a big game on the road in Winnipeg and Saskatchewan was the first team to lose to Edmonton in week 9.
Redblacks vs Roughriders Battle of 5 Win Teams by Sam Just
Week 10: Hosting Saskatchewan on Thursday.
#3 Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-3) 🃏
Previous Rank: 3
Week 1: Defeated Edmonton on the road 29-21.
Week 2: Defeated Hamilton on the road 33-30.
Week 3: Defeated Hamilton at home 36-20.
Week 4: Bye week.
Week 5: Defeated Toronto at home 30-20.
Week 6: Lost to BC on the road 20-35
Week 7: Defeated Winnipeg at home 19-9.
Week 8: Lost to Montreal on the road 16-20.
Week 9: Lost to Edmonton at home 31-42.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders allowed a season-high 42 points from their opponent in the 31-42 loss to Edmonton at home. The game started off with a score for the Riders as Mario Alford returned the opening kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown. Shea Patterson became the 35th quarterback to throw for over 300 yards in a game as he completed 22 of his 38 passes for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception and added 30 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. KeeSean Johnson led the team in receiving as he caught 6 passes for 72 yards. Ajou Ajou caught 3 passes for 60 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Frankie Hickson rushed 12 times for 89 yards, 7.4 yards per carry.
On defense, Rolan Milligan Jr., Jameer Thurman, and Adam Auclair were tied for a team lead in tackles with 6. Milligan Jr. also had an interception and Adam Auclair had a sack.
Saskatchewan will face another 5-win team this coming week when they visit the Ottawa RedBlacks.
Week 10: Visiting Ottawa on Thursday.
#4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-6)
Previous Rank: 7
Week 1: Lost to Montreal at home 12-27.
Week 2: Lost to Ottawa on the road 19-23.
Week 3: Lost to BC at home 24-26.
Week 4: Lost to Calgary on the road in overtime 19-22.
Week 5: Defeated Ottawa at home 25-16.
Week 6: Defeated Calgary at home 41-37.
Week 7: Lost to Saskatchewan on the road 9-19.
Week 8: Lost on the road to Toronto 14-16 in overtime.
Week 9: Defeated BC at home 25-0.
Winnipeg made a statement with their 25-0 win at home over BC last week. It seems the Bombers are finally awakening from their slumber that saw Zach Collaros and the offense was slow to get going after Collaros did not play a snap in the preseason. Collaros completed 27 of his 33 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown. Ontario Wilson led the team in receiving again with 7 catches for 112 yards. Wilson currently is 5th in receiving in the league and 1st among rookies with 575 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lucky Whitehead caught all 6 of his targets for 56 yards and a touchdown. Winnipeg leaned into their bread and butter in week 9 and that is giving the rock to their RB often as Brady Oliveira rushed 17 times for 100 yards, 5.9 yards per carry.
Adam Bighill led the team in tackles with 7 and also had a sack. 3 defensive linemen also had a sack which came from TyJuan Garbutt, Willie Jefferson, and Devin Adams. Tyrell Ford had the interception for Winnipeg.
Winnipeg goes into their bye week with new hope after winning an impactful divisional matchup.
Week 10: Bye Week.
#5 B.C. Lions (5-3)
Previous Rank: 2
Week 1: Lost to Toronto on the road 27-35.
Week 2: Defeated Calgary at home 26-17.
Week 3: Defeated Winnipeg on the road 26-24.
Week 4: Defeated Edmonton at home 24-21.
Week 5: Defeated Hamilton on the road 44-28.
Week 6: Defeated Saskatchewan at home 35-20.
Week 7: Lost to Calgary on the road 24-25.
Week 8: Bye week.
Week 9: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 0-25.
The BC Lions got punched in the mouth last week as they were kept scoreless in their 0-25 loss in Winnipeg. Vernon Adams Jr. was on pace to have the third most passing yards in a CFL season coming into this game. However, he had his worst game of the season as he completed just 8 of his 17 passes for 74 yards with 1 interception. To make things worse he was injured in the game and had to be taken away via the cart after the game. Head Coach Rick Campbell told the media later that after evaluation Adams Jr. is believed to be out week to week and not long term. On the ground, William Stanback rushed 10 times for 42 yards. On defense, Ben Hladik led the team in tackles with 8 and also had a sack. LB Bo Lokombo had 7 tackles, and Adrian Greene had 6.
If Vernon Adams Jr. ends up missing extended time then BC could be in trouble. Much of their success derived from his ability to mitigate pressure and make big plays.
BC Lions (5-3) Week 10 Preview vs Edmonton Elks (1-7): Prediction, Depth Chart, Injuries, Odds
Week 10: Visiting Edmonton on Sunday.
#6 Calgary Stampeders (4-4)
Previous Rank: 6
Week 1: Defeated Hamilton at home 32-24.
Week 2: Lost to BC on the road 17-26.
Week 3: Bye Week.
Week 4: Defeated Winnipeg at home in overtime 22-19.
Week 5: Lost to Montreal on the road 26-30.
Week 6: Lost to Winnipeg on the road 37-41
Week 7: Defeated BC at home 25-24.
Week 8: Lost to Ottawa on the road 6-33.
Week 9: Defeated Toronto at home 27-23.
The Calgary Stampeders had a bad 3 quarters of football until they stormed back to make a comeback win over Toronto at home 27-23 after entering the 4th quarter trailing 6-23. Jake Maier completed 26 of his 37 passes for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. Reggie Begelton led the team in receiving as he caught 8 passes for 97 yards. Marken Michel caught 4 passes for 59 yards and a touchdown and Cam Echols caught 2 passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Peyton Logan rushed 9 times for 36 yards, 4 yards per carry.
On defense, Kenyon Reed led the team in tackles with 6. Calgary generated 6 sacks in their win all from defensive linemen as Mike Rose had 2 while Julian Howsare, Clarence Hicks, James Vaughters, and Justin Sambu all had a sack as well. Demerio Houston recorded an interception.
Week 10: Visiting Toronto on Friday.
#7 Toronto Argonauts (4-4)
Previous Rank: 4
Week 1: Defeated BC at home 35-27.
Week 2: Bye week.
Week 3: Defeated Edmonton at home 39-36.
Week 4: Lost to Montreal at home 20-30.
Week 5: Lost to Saskatchewan 23-30.
Week 6: Defeated Montreal on the road 37-18.
Week 7: Lost to Hamilton on the road 27-24.
Week 8: Defeated Winnipeg at home 16-14 in overtime.
Week 9: Lost to Calgary on the road 23-27.
The Toronto Argonauts were in control of the game heading into the 4th quarter leading 23-6. Toronto was outscored in the 4th quarter 21-0 and lost the game 23-27 on the road against Calgary. Cameron Dukes completed 18 of his 26 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown with 1 interception and added 95 yards on the ground on 12 rushes. Damonte Coxie led the team in receiving as he caught 4 passes for 61 yards. Ka’Deem Carey rushed 8 times for 31 yards, 3.9 yards per carry.
On defense linebacker Jonathan Jones led the team in tackles with 11. Royce Metchie who was 2nd in tackles on the team with 9 had an interception and also forced a fumble that was recovered by Benjie Franklin.
Toronto will get a chance to exact their revenge against the Stampeders as they will host them on Friday. Quarterback Chad Kelly is nearing the end of his suspension which was a “minimum of 9 games” and the CFL has yet to give clarity to the Argos if he will be able to return after 9 games or if it will be longer.
Week 10: Hosting Calgary on Friday.
#8 Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-6)
Previous Rank: 8
Week 1: Lost to Calgary on the road 24-32.
Week 2: Lost to Saskatchewan at home 30-33.
Week 3: Lost to Saskatchewan on the road 20-36.
Week 4: Lost to Ottawa on the road 22-24.
Week 5: Lost to B.C. at home 44-28.
Week 6: Bye week.
Week 7: Defeated Toronto at home 27-24.
Week 8: Defeated Edmonton on the road 44-28.
Week 9: Lost to Montreal at home 16-33.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were the latest victim of the Montreal Alouettes as they lost at home 16-33. Bo Levi Mitchell completed 29 of his 42 passes for 240 yards with 1 touchdown pass to Tim White and 2 interceptions. Shemar Bridges led the team in receiving as he caught 9 passes for 76 yards. Bridges is currently 2nd in receiving among rookie receivers with 526 yards and 3 touchdowns. James Butler rushed 12 times for 69 yards (5.8 yards per carry). With how much success Montreal has had defending against the pass it seems foolish that Hamilton would have 48 pass attempts in the game (6 thrown by Taylor Powell), while only having 14 rushing attempts.
Linebacker Kyle Wilson led the team in tackles with 5 and also had a sack. Defensive tackles Casey Sayles and Dewayne Hendrix also had a sack. Kenneth George Jr. had an interception.
Hamilton will face Montreal again this Saturday and will do well to have a more balanced ratio of run plays mixed into their offense.
Week 10: Visiting Montreal on Saturday.
#9 Edmonton Elks (1-7)
Previous Rank: 9
Week 1: Lost to Saskatchewan at home 21-29.
Week 2: Lost to Montreal at home 20-23.
Week 3: Lost to Toronto on the road 36-39.
Week 4: Lost to B.C. on the road 21-24.
Week 5: Bye Week.
Week 6: Lost to Ottawa at home 34-37
Week 7: Lost to Ottawa on the road 14-20.
Week 8: Lost to Hamilton at home 29-44.
Week 9: Defeated Saskatchewan on the road 42-31.
The Commonwealth Curse is Broken- again- sort of! Edmonton after 8 games finally has their first win of the season. They were an extremely snake-bitten team as they were playing some great football over their first 6 games but losing all of them by 1 score before firing head coach Chris Jones. Edmonton gave Tre Ford the start who had a great game completing 18 of his 22 passes for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception. He also added 46 rushing yards on 5 rushes. Ex-Rider Tevin Jones led the team in receiving as he caught 3 passes for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns with the longest being for 93 yards. Edmonton did a good job providing run support as Javon Leake rushed 12 times for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns with his longest being for 61 yards. Justin Ranking rushed 10 times as well for 60 yards.
Linebacker Nyles Morgan led the team in tackles with 11. Defensive lineman Shawn Oakman and Romeo McKnight both had a sack as well as defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy. Kordell Jackson had an interception in the win.
Tre Ford with run support provided seems like a winning formula for Edmonton but the team still needs to allow much fewer points if they wish to climb from the basement of the standings. Edmonton has allowed 247 points this season which is the 2nd most in the league behind only Hamilton who has 254 allowed. Edmonton has a much better chance to win this week against BC given the fact that BC is expected to be without quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.
EIks: Green & Gold Game Day Preview – Looking To Seize Another Win by Michael Willoughby
Week 10: Hosting BC on Sunday.
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