Lefko's CFL Power Rankings: Week 1 - sportsnet.ca

Who could have ever predicted three teams would be tied for first in the East and Edmonton would be the only team with a win in the West after the opening week of the 2011 Canadian Football League season? It was interesting to say the least. The opening game of the first week between Montreal and B.C., which some pundits have suggested may be a preview of the 2011 Grey Cup, and the final game between Edmonton and Saskatchewan had plenty of offence. In between it wasn't nearly as exciting. But don't tell that to Toronto and Winnipeg: they both won. Calgary is licking its wounds, while Hamilton has some major issues already.
TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	-	(2-0-0)	Champs still the best until they lose. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo staked Als to a healthy lead with the offence running smoothly. Defence has been leaky in recent years for Als, so that's something they will have to address, noticeably in the back end.
2	-	(2-0-0)	Incredibly strong performance to start the season. If anyone predicted this kind of outing, congratulations. What was impressive was how the Eskimos took advantage of opportunities in second half after their lead was whittled at the end of the first half.
3	-	(1-1-0)	Beating Calgary at home is impressive. It's not like the Argos overpowered the Stamps, but this was the kind of overall team effort that helped Toronto to gain respect last year. Cory Boyd has MOP written all over him.
4	-	(2-0-0)	Found a way to win with good defence. Special teams were an issue with some lucklustre punting, but chalk that up to the wind (Sandro DeAngelis can attest to that). Injuries to several key players will pose an issue for the next game. Bombers opened with a win last year, so there's joy in Bomberland.
5	-	(0-2-0)	Second-half turnaround pushed the Als to the limit. Everyone will talk about the call not gamble on third down late in the game, but if the Lions hadn't blown some touchdown opportunities and goofed on a terribly-executed play near the goal line they might have pulled off the upset.
6	-	(1-1-0)	Missed field goals were an issue. Kicker Rob Maver was money last year, but playing on only one healthy leg hurt him and the team. The Stamps' defence has to do a better job of holding the lead.
7	-	(0-2-0)	Turnovers plus porous defence equals defeat. Green Riders were playing catchup the whole game. Need to get Chris Getzlaf involved in the offence much sooner and create more pressure on defence.
8	-	(0-2-0)	Start off season with a loss and a quarterback controversy, that's hardly inspiring. Quinton Porter simply isn't ready to take over the starting quarterback's job from Kevin Glenn, who didn't have a good game but didn't receive help from some key players. At least the kicking game was sound.

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