Connect with us

CFL News

CFL Week 8 Power Rankings: Bombers Flying High

1) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Last Week: 1)

The Bombers are still sitting at the top of the rankings following a bye week. The team has looked nearly unstoppable through the first half of the season, with their only loss so far coming against the Toronto Argonauts in Week 3.

Quarterback Zach Collaros is currently 2nd in the league in both passing touchdowns (10 touchdowns) and passing yards (1,731 yards), while quarterback Sean McGuire still leads the league in rushing touchdowns (6 touchdowns).

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive lineman Jackson Jeffcoat currently leads the league in forced fumbles (4 fumbles) and is tied for 3rd in the league in sacks (5 sacks). Not far behind him, his teammate and fellow defensive lineman Willie Jefferson is currently 2nd in the league in forced fumbles (3 fumbles) and is tied with Jeffcoat for 3rd in the league in sacks (5 sacks).

The Blue Bombers will travel to BC in week 9 to face the Lions.

2) Saskatchewan Roughriders (Last Week: 2)

The Roughriders keep the number 2 spot after pulling off a win against the BC Lions.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo ended the game having completed 24/31 passes (77.4% Comp) for 279 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. He is currently 3rd in the league in passing yards (1,644 yards) and 4th in passing touchdowns (7 touchdowns). Fajardo is also tied with Calgary running back Ka’Deem Carey for 2nd in the league in rushing touchdowns (4 touchdowns). Additionally, wide receiver Kyran Moore leads the league in receiving targets (59) and receptions caught (43).

The highlight of Saskatchewan’s defense would appear to be defensive lineman Jonathan Woodard, who leads the league in sacks (7 sacks) and has forced 2 fumbles on the year. Defensive backs Ed Gainey and Nick Marshall have also played well for the Riders, both recording 2 interceptions on the year so far.

Saskatchewan will travel to Calgary in week 9 to face the Stampeders.

3) BC Lions (Last Week: 3)

The Lions stay put in the rankings after a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Despite the loss, quarterback Michael Reilly had a great day through the air, ending the game having completed 23/34 passes (67.6% Comp) for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns and taking the title of CFL passing yards leader with 1,860 yards on the year. The Lions run game was completely shut down, and wide receiver Lucky Whitehead would be the star of the show for BC, ending the day with 6 receptions for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Whitehead currently leads the league in receiving yards (665 yards) and is 2nd in receiving touchdowns (4 touchdowns).

Defensively, the team has been playing well. Linebacker Jordan Williams currently leads the CFL in total tackles (49 tackles), while linebacker Boseko Lokombo is tied for the league lead in interceptions (3 interceptions).

The Lions will host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in week 9.

4) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Last Week: 4)

Coming off of a win against the struggling Ottawa Redblacks, the Ti-Cats remain in the number 4 spot in the rankings.

Backup quarterback David Watford would get the start and ended the day having completed 15/25 passes (60% comp) for 115 yards and 1 touchdown, also running the ball 11 times for 54 yards. Additionally, running back Sean Thomas Earlington would carry the ball 9 times, rushing for 41 yards, while wide receivers Jaelon Acklin, Steven Dunbar, and Tim White would help get things done through the air.

The Ti-Cats will host the Montreal Alouettes in Week 9, with the potential return of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli from injury.

5) Toronto Argonauts (Last Week: 5)

The Argos are coming off a Week 8 win against the Montreal Alouettes that keeps them locked in at the number 5 spot in the rankings.

Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson got the start for an injured Nick Arbuckle and ended the day having completed 13/19 passes (68.4% comp) for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. Bethel-Thompson would connect with wide receivers Chandler Worthy, and Kurleigh Gittens Jr on his touchdown passes. In the ground game, running back John White would run the ball 9 times for 44 yards, and running back DJ Foster would take 8 carries for 15 yards and 1 touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive backs Chris Edwards and Shaquille Richardson would each get an interception on the day, with Richardson also forcing a fumble.

The boatmen will get a bye in Week 9 and host a struggling Ottawa Redblacks team in week 10.

6) Montreal Alouettes (Last Week: 6)

The Alouettes remain in the number 6 spot after a 3-point loss to the Toronto Argonauts.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr ended the day having completed 30/39 passes (76.9% Comp) for 382 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, also running the ball 5 times for 38 yards. Adams’ performance in week 7 makes him the CFL’s current passing touchdown leader (11 touchdowns). Additionally, running back William Stanback currently leads the league in rushing yards (618 yards), while wide receiver Jake Wieneke leads the league in receiving touchdowns (5 touchdowns).

The Alouettes will travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats in Week 9.

7) Calgary Stampeders (Last Week: 7)

The Calgary Stampeders are coming off a Week 8 bye.

The Stampeders’ last game was a loss in which quarterback Bo Levi-Mitchell played so poorly he was benched for rookie Jake Maier late in the game. With a 2-5 record on the year and 3 of their next 4 matchups coming against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, this team needs to figure things out fast if they want a chance at making the playoffs.

The Stampeders will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 9.

8) Edmonton Elks (Last Week: 8)

The Elks are another team coming off a bye in Week 8.

It would appear that quarterback Taylor Cornelius will get the start once again for an injured Trevor Harris, who missed last week’s game due to a neck injury. Following back-to-back losses against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the Elks are in must-win mode for pretty much the rest of the season if they are to make a push for the playoffs.

Edmonton will travel to Ottawa in Week 9 to face the Redblacks.

9) Ottawa Redblacks (Last Week: 9)

Coming off a loss against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, the Redblacks remain at the bottom of the rankings. There isn’t much to say about this team that hasn’t already been said. This team needs help, and the offseason could not come quick enough for the Redblacks.

The Redblacks will host the Edmonton Elks in week 9.


Continue the CFL Football discussions on our offical CFL Discord Channel
author avatar
Matt Lyons Reporter
Matt Lyons is a Writer/Contributor for XFL News Hub, USFL News Hub, & CFL News Hub, covering the XFL, USFL, ELF, and TSL since August of 2020.
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in CFL News

CFL News Hub