The Redblacks got some much-needed rest and relaxation during Labour Day Weekend. They headed into their latest bye reeling from five straight losses. They are the coldest team in the CFL right now.
Ottawa has yet to win a game this season against an East opponent. They are 0-5 within the division. It’s a significant reason why they are long shots to get back into any semblance of a playoff chase. They’ll try to correct that on Friday when they host Hamilton. A team they’ve lost to twice already this season.
#8: Edmonton Elks (2-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Last game: 35-31 Road Loss To Calgary
Next game: Home versus Calgary, Saturday, September 9th
#Elks led 28-13 in the 3rd qtr but out-scored 22-3 the rest of the way. Complete implosion by the defence in the 4th qtr who I feel were not on the right side on DPI calls. Tre Ford was magic again but he saw a ton of pressure. Missed some throws. Pass game struggled. #CFL
Late Monday night, it looked like Edmonton was headed toward a third straight victory, this time a road triumph over division rival Calgary. But the momentum the Elks have built the last two weeks came to a crashing halt as Edmonton squandered a two-score lead late in a bitter defeat.
Despite enduring another demoralizing loss on their ledger. Tre Ford has revitalized the Edmonton football club. The best, better late-than-never option was magical again for the Elks in Week 13. Unfortunately, it didn’t result in the team’s third straight victory and what could’ve been an improbable push toward a playoff spot. Nevertheless, the Elks games are meaningful now because they have a superstar to build around.
The Stampeders were in deep trouble. Down 28-13 heading into the fourth quarter against Edmonton. And then eleven points late. It appeared that Calgary’s slide into the CFL’s abyss was complete, with the Elks surpassing them in the standings.
But in the late stages of the fourth quarter, Calgary stood up. They scored 22 points, with two crucial touchdown drives led by Jake Maeir to snatch a 35-31 victory from the jaws of defeat at home.
As a result, the Stampeders have saved their season and are back firmly in the postseason picture with a shot at a potential crossover playoff spot. They are tied with Hamilton in points at eight.
Calgary finally found a way to win the type of close game they’ve been losing all season long. They have six regular season games left to repeat what they did on Monday night.
#6: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Last game: 41-28 Home Loss To Toronto
Next game: At Ottawa, Friday, September 8
2️⃣5️⃣, 3️⃣1️⃣8️⃣
Today’s Labour Day Classic marks our highest attendance for a Tiger-Cats home game in @TimHortonsField history‼️
After falling behind 17-0, the Tiger-Cats attempted to claw their way back against Toronto but fell short in front of a record crowd at home on Labour Day.
The Ti-Cats are now 0-3 against the Argonauts this season. They have lost five straight to their eternal rival, including two straight LDC games in the Hammer.
Hamilton was looking to build momentum after a spirited upset in Vancouver over the Lions. But the Cats were outmatched by the defending Grey Cup Champs. Hamilton will meet them again in late September. But for now, Orlondo Steinauer’s squad needs to regroup to maintain a tenuous position as a barely there playoff team.
After being humiliated by Winnipeg the week prior in a 47-17 road loss. The Alouettes put forth a better effort back home against the Lions. But it wasn’t good enough.
All five of the Alouettes losses this season have come against Toronto, Winnipeg, and British Columbia. They are 0-5 against the CFL’s top three teams.
Montreal is 6-0 against every other team in the league. Stepping up in class for the Als has led to them taking two steps back.
Jason Maas’s Alouettes’ next two games are crucial. They will square off head to head against the defending champion Argonauts. A home and home series, which sees the Als fly off to the Six on Saturday before returning home for a rematch the following Friday. Those two games will determine a lot for Montreal.
The Alouettes have built up some equity for a potential postseason spot. But finally, breaking through and beating an elite team like Toronto would not only keep them alive for a shot at the Eastern crown, but it would also serve as a huge morale boost.
#4: Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Last game: 32-30 Overtime Home Victory Over Winnipeg
Next game: At Winnipeg, Saturday, September 9th
In the history of the Labour Day Classic, fans had seen almost every type of ending — except overtime.
That box was checked off on Sunday, when the Riders outlasted the Blue Bombers 32-30 before a sellout crowd of 33,350 at Mosaic Stadium.
Back-to-back wins over B.C. and a thrilling overtime victory over Winnipeg have solidified Saskatchewan as a legitimate darkhorse contender in the West. And they are doing it with an unexpected hero leading the charge in quarterback Jake Dolegala.
To many, the Roughriders’ triumph over the Bombers on Sunday was a huge surprise, however, if you exclude Saskatchewan’s miserable effort in Montreal. The Riders have been a competitive bunch all season long. Craig Dickenson’s group has broken through in their last two games, showing great balance, something that was missing in some of the Roughriders’ roughest losses in 2023.
Unfortunately, Saskatchewan’s shining highlight of the season had an exceptionally negative moment. When defensive lineman Pete Robertson committed a classless act by headbutting Zach Collaros after a potential drive-killing interception, it drew an immediate and deserved one-game suspension by the CFL.
One of the oddest (and most unnecessary) penalties I've ever seen in a football game.
Saskatchewan's Pete Robertson celebrates a drive-killing incompletion with the… headbutt on Zach Collaros.
Having two weeks to prepare for Mike O’Shea’s team at home was an advantage. The next challenge for Saskatchewan will be much more daunting. The Riders have an immediate rematch with a seething Bombers team in Winnipeg. Winning back-to-back against the same team is never easy, especially on the road. But if the Riders can pull it off against the Bombers, they might gallop into the chase for a Western title.
The B.C. Lions bounced back after a disappointing home loss last week to Hamilton by taking down the Alouettes in Montreal 34-25.
In a long CFL season, it’s challenging for even the best of teams to avoid a mid-season swoon. For the Leos to pick themselves up off the mat quickly and head out East and win is an encouraging sign.
The Lions got some added Labour Day love when the Blue Bombers were defeated at the final gun by Saskatchewan. The turn of events keeps British Columbia within striking distance of Winnipeg atop the Western standings.
The Lions will have one more bye before playing the final stretch of their regular season—an important six-game docket that will determine if the road to a Grey Cup goes through BC Place.
#2: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Last game: 32-30 Overtime Loss To Saskatchewan
Next game: Home vs. Saskatchewan, Saturday, September 9
"I don’t know what the standard is anymore, really, and I’m on the rules committee. I have no clue."
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers fell short in their first crack at clinching a playoff berth. But after what transpired in their 32-30 overtime loss with Saskatchewan. Mike O’Shea’s team seems more amped at a crack of revenge in next weekend’s rematch with the Riders than securing an inevitable postseason bid.
That’s because of one particular moment that left a bad taste in Winnipeg’s mouth—a vile cheap shot by the now-suspended Pete Robertson on quarterback Zach Collaros.
There’s always bad blood between the two Prairie rivals, but it will be amplified this coming weekend.
Setting aside the fallout, subplot, and controversy. This is the second time this season that the Blue Bombers have lost in overtime to neophyte CFL quarterbacks—Dustin Crum and Ottawa’s unreal rally earlier this year, and now Jake Dolegala in Riderville.
Winnipeg has the pedigree and firepower offensively to outmatch any team. But there have been moments this season where their grizzled veteran defence has lost its legs and faltered late in games. Once is a coincidence, but two times might be a trend.
#1: Toronto Argonauts (9-1)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Last game: 41-28 road defeat of Hamilton
Next game:Home versus Montreal, Saturday, September 9th
In a testament to how talented and well-coached Toronto is. They arguably played their most sporadic first half of the season in Monday’s LDC clash with Hamilton. And yet, somehow, the Argos led the Ti-Cats 17-4 at the break.
There were the usual flashes of brilliance from the defending champs on Sunday. However, it wasn’t one of Toronto’s better overall performances this season, but in the end, they outclassed Hamilton for a third time this year.
The Boatmen jumped out to a 17-0 lead and then saw the Ti-Cats scratch their way back, but the Argonauts and A.J. Oullette delivered the Hammer late to seal a 41-28 victory.
The Double Blue are dangerous even when they are not at their best. They have too many difference-makers on their roster, led by one of the CFL’s brightest coaches.
Including last season’s Grey Cup championship run, Ryan Dinwiddie’s Argos have won 18 of their last 21 games. And that’s if you include last year’s regular-season finale loss, where the Double Blue sat all their starters and many of their top backups.
Monday’s LDC conquest in the Hammer puts the Double Blue one step closer to winning the East and hosting an Eastern Final again. They are 5-0 within their division with a six-point lead over second-place Montreal.
However, the Argonauts’ firm grip on the East will be tested in the next two weeks. After all, they play back-to-back games against Montreal. If the Boatmen can best the Als, they will officially clinch the East, and their fall calendar toward the East Final would be smooth sailing.
Jeremy Keys
September 5, 2023 at 3:59 pm
I can agree with all except Hamilton being ahead of Calgary. It’s baffling.
You’re giving way too much credit to them for beating a BC team that didn’t look interested in playing so I’d be interested to hear your reasoning.