CFL Power Rankings, Grey Cup Odds: Argonauts Survive a Loss to Remain Number One

The 2023 CFL season has been rolling for two months, giving fans and pundits a good idea of where most teams lie in the great Canadian football mix. Or so one would think. There have been an incredible number of veteran starting quarterbacks getting knocked out of games. This has sent multiple campaigns into plot twists no team ever wants.

Who really is good and who really is bad? Honestly, it’s a strange CFL season to be answering those questions. At the very least, clubs and their fanbases are getting very good looks at their backup QBs and defences!

While we’re at it, check out our CFL odds and Futures for all your Canadian Football League action.

Please note that all data is as of Monday, August 7 after Week 9’s action.

Off we go!

CFL Power Rankings

1. Toronto Argonauts (6-1, spread: 6-1)

The top of the rankings this week may be controversial for some. The Argonauts finally lost a game – 20-7 to the Stampeders – and looked rather poor in the process. Further complicating matters is the status of Chad Kelly’s ankle, which at the time of writing is unknown. He could be perfectly fine for Week 10, but that remains to be seen. Still, from a defensive perspective, they played well in Week 9. RB A.J. Ouellete continues to bulldoze through defensive lines.

2. BC Lions (6-2, spread: 5-2-1)

Hold on a second. The Lions were royally trounced 50-14 by the Blue Bombers in Week 9 yet rank higher? The simple answer is yes. The nuanced answer has to do with the spreads. 5-2-1 is better than what Winnipeg has to offer. Also, BC was done in by Dane Evans unaable to go toe-to-toe with one of the great CFL QBs in Zach Collaros on the road. We’ll make a promise. If in two weeks things continue to look subpar for the Lions, you can be sure the rankings will adjust accordingly.

3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-2, spread: 5-3)

And here is the third controversy, predominantly for the very reasons elaborated on in the BC Lions section. Yes, we know, the team in first place in the West ranks behind the team in second. Again, this might change in two weeks if BC really does begin to slide. There is no question that Winnipeg can use Week 9 as a blueprint to Blue Bomb its way to another division title.

4. Montreal Alouettes (4-3, spread: 4-3)

The Montreal Alouettes feel like the fourth-best team in the CFL. They do too many things well to be considered bad but are too weak in other categories (scoring TDs) to be considered among the best teams in the league. On the defensive side of the ball, the unit is great. They’ve given up the second-fewest points. No players feature in the top 10 in tackling, yet Montreal has six players with at least 20, led by Najee Murray’s 32.

5. Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4, spread: 3-4-1)

We’ll never know what would have happened in Week 9 had Ottawa gone for it on third and goal late in the fourth quarter, but the fact is they didn’t, which allowed Saskatchewan to require only a field goal to take the game. A win is a win, and that one put the Roughriders back to .500, which is decent given that they’re still navigating waters without QB Trevor Harris. Don’t sleep on Mason Fine. He’s only played four games yet is just two yards shy of 1,000 on the season.

6. Calgary Stampeders (3-5, spread: 3-5)

The Stampeders avoided a historically bad start by doing what this author suspected might happen: they played out of their minds when they needed it most and were inspired by hosting an undefeated team (Toronto Argonauts). Are all their problems solved? Absolutely not. They’re still two games under .500 and rely way too much on field goals for points. It’s all the more maddening when one considers QB Jake Maier is second in the CFL with 2,077 yards!

7. Ottawa Redblacks (3-5, spread: 3-5)

How quickly the tables have turned. A few weeks ago everybody was signing the Redblacks’ praises for finding crazy ways to win with Dustin Crum at quarterback. Just as they won two very close games, they’re now on a two-game losing streak with narrow margins going against them. Every week is an adventure for Ottawa, which is part of the fun of watching this team. Unfortunately, consistency week-to-week and within games eludes them.

8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3-5, spread: 3-5)

There was a debate as to who should rank higher, the Redblacks or the Tiger-Cats. Ultimately, Hamilton doesn’t look as exciting an operation as Ottawa. They did themselves no favours in Week 9 by completely imploding at home for the second time this season against Montreal. Is the issue the team itself or these matchups against the Als? At least James Butler is tied for second with four rushing touchdowns.

9. Edmonton Elks (0-8, spread: 2-6)

Edmonton was off in Week 9. A quarterback change was decided upon, as Tra Ford takes over under centre. He’ll be guided by new offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson, previously the QB coach. What good these changes will do for the team only time will tell. That said, at 0-8 and with far and away the worst offence in the CFL, it’s time to try just about anything now.