CFL Power Rankings, Grey Cup Odds: Argonauts Fight Off Challengers, Stay First

Another two weeks have elapsed since the last exercise and more starting QBs have gone down for the count. Trevor Harris and Vernon Adams Jr. are the latest victims of injuries that risk keeping them out of the lineup long-term.

The healthier a team is, the better its chances of attaining success, and although no CFL squad is fully healthy, the number one team this week has benefited from good fortune when compared to others. At least they still have their number one QB!

Before we forget, check out our CFL odds and Futures for all your Canadian football action.

All data collected as of Monday, July 24 with Week 7’s activity in the books.

Without further ado…

1. Toronto Argonauts (5-0, spread: 5-0)

Toronto retains the top spot for the second consecutive edition. The author witnessed firsthand the team’s fighting spirit in Week 6 when they visited Montreal and won a close game. Since then they flattened their oldest rivals the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton 31-15. Perfect in the standings and perfect against the spread this deep into the season merits no lower ranking than first. The defence is tied for second with only 111 points conceded. RB A.J. Ouellette is comfortably in second with 393 yards on the ground.

2. BC Lions (5-1, spread: 4-2)

Obviously, the Adams Jr. situation puts BC in a precarious situation. Yes, Dane Evans played well in reserve at home in Week 7. Right now, it’s unclear how long their starter will be out. For all we know he’ll suit up in Week 8, even though that’s not the likeliest outcome. The Lions have only given up 94 points through six games. A terrific stat. Mathieu Betts has hit double digits in QB sacks (10). He’s eating them for breakfast this season. Given the quarterback problem, it’s a darn good thing the defence is this good.

3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-2, spread: 4-3)

The Blue Bombers are the only team that theoretically is very good but hasn’t shown it against the spread. Not that 4-3 is bad, but it doesn’t feel like the Winnipeg of old. 5-2 in the standings is nice, although the most recent victory came at the expense of the moribund Elks…and they didn’t cover. One constant remains: Zach Collaros. His 1,923 yards through the air and 13 TDs are both league bests. If the Blue Bombers are going to take over the CFL, especially with rival QBs dropping like flies, now is the time.

4. Ottawa Redblacks (3-3, spread: 3-3)

Well, well, well. There is no pretending that the loss of Jeremiah Masoli is disappointing, both for the person concerned and the club. That said, the Redblacks are coming off two beguiling wins. One was a stupendous comeback at home against the Blue Bombers and the other was away to the Stampeders. Both in overtime, no less. Is Dustin Crum for real? Through two games, it looks like it. Also, it’s only two games. But so far Ottawa is proving far more difficult to handle this year than in 2022.

5. Montreal Alouettes (2-3, spread: 2-3)

This is a funny position to be in. Two weeks ago, Montreal had lost twice in a row to drop to 2-2. Since then they’ve played only once and it was one of the best games of the year at home to the Argonauts that resulted in a tense defeat. But 2-3 is still 2-3 and now the Als need to pick themselves up. Otherwise, they’ll clearly be the third best team in the East and not the second, which is what most people predicted they’d be.

6. Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-3, spread: 2-4)

The Roughriders land behind the Alouettes mostly for two reasons. Number one, they’ve had one extra chance to cover more spreads but failed. Number two, they didn’t look fine with Mason Fine under centre. Granted, it was against the best defence in the CFL in week 7, but nine points won’t excite anyone. Unlike, say, the Redblacks, this looks like a team that needs its proven starter back at the earliest.

7. Calgary Stampeders (2-4, spread: 2-4)

A lot of hoopla has been made of Edmonton’s historically bad home game losing streak, but lest we forget that Calgary went 4-5 last season and so far this year is 0-3. Very strange. They’re obviously better on the road and, incidentally, head to Montreal in Week 8 to play a club that’s lost its way a bit. It’s not as though QB Jake Maier isn’t putting up solid numbers (1,672 yards, eight TDs). The talent is there to make something of this season, but they must go out and actually do it.

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-4, spread: 2-4)

The Taylor Powell experiment didn’t pan out so well against Toronto. Reports on Monday indicate that Bo Levi Mitchell practiced with the team. He’s already missed four games, and the Ticats could use his services asap. To be fair, they’ve been pummelled twice by the number one team in the CFL. There’s no shame in that, especially without their main guy.

9. Edmonton Elks (0-6, spread: 2-5)

There’s always a silver lining, even if one has to peel their eyes intensely. This is a terrible season so far in Edmonton, but they’ve covered the spread twice already, so all hope is not lost. Mind you, what little hope exists is more for betters than the actual team and its fanbase, but this is a sportsbook after all. They will win at some point. Most of their contests have been close for long stretches. But at some point in the second half the wheels just fall off.