Lefko on CFL: Week 17 power rankings - sportsnet.ca

Previous Power Rankings

TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	4		Impressive comeback in a 26-25 win over Montreal at home, rallying with 16 unanswered points. It proved again that the Bombers are tough playing East Division rivals and that, yes, Swaggerville is still there. The defence pounded Als quarterback Anthony Calvillo when it wasn’t busy picking off passes. How about rush end Justin Vega filling in for Odell Willis? That’s huge for when Willis come back, giving the Bombers added depth on the D-line. Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce came through when it mattered after a streaky effort prior to the comeback and a lousy game before that. Had the Bombers lost, they would have continued a dramatic fall after starting 7-1, but now they have a legitimate chance to finish first in the East. It’s really about playing more consistently. They play at home this weekend in the final game at their current stadium and have the Argos on the menu. Could be feeding time!
2	3		Three consecutive wins and sole possession of first place in the West. This is a team coming together at the right time. Yes, the Eskimos beat the hapless Argonauts and, yes, they were sloppy after going up 31-3 and thinking the game was over and, yes, they made some boneheaded moves. Note to the Eskimos coaching staff: Don’t hand the ball off when you can run down the clock. I’m sure head coach Kavis Reed told that to offensive co-ordinator Marcus Crandell. But maybe the Eskimos were trying to prove that no lead is safe in the CFL. Former Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia must feel ill watching that commercial showing his team beaten on an unlikely play a few years ago. But we digress. As long as power running back Jerome Messam keeps stomping over the opposition, the Eskimos are going to be tough to stop. And, as predicted, receiver Fred Stamps had a huge game. He was due and you have to think more of that is coming.
3	2		Look, the Als had a four-game win streak and simply came undone. But it’s not like they embarrassed themselves. Quarterback Anthony Calvillo had a rare bad game, throwing three picks. But the defence is equally to blame for allowing Winnipeg to rally. The Als seem to have their problems with Winnipeg, and now they have to win their remaining two games and hope Winnipeg loses their two to finish first in the East. This year for the first time in a long while, the Als will have to show their mettle in the final two regular-season games. Calvillo took a pounding – and it’s happened far more regularly this season – so it’s going to be interesting to see if this is the Als of old or an old Als team.
4	1		Another team that saw a winning streak come to an end, but you knew B.C. was due for a loss. The Lions were on an incredible roll, but they showed no life against Hamilton. They have had problems playing in Hamilton before. Note to self: When the spread is a Pick ‘em or Lions by one, you have to wonder if the linemaker, who happens to be my mentor Randall the Handle, has done his homework and is setting off alarm bells. The Lions came out of the game hurt in several areas, notably at quarterback and the receiving corps. Lions can finish anywhere from first to third in the West. The bubble has burst. It’s reality check time for the other Braley Boys.
5	5		Was there something in the air in Steeltown that caused the Tiger-Cats to play like a great team after so many inconsistent games or was this a one-time thing? Beating B.C. 42-10 was one of those games in which everything came together. When you get great plays from your special teams and score points or move the chains on offence, something is weird. Ray Mariuz and fellow backup linebacker Augustin Barrenechea will truly remember this game. I think Mariuz’ play was almost as impressive as his TV commercials. You had to admire the play of quarterbacks Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter, who collectively did some good things. Just not sure how to gauge the Ticats, who have already clinched a playoff spot but blew too many games to have a shot at first or second in the division.
6	7		Change the starting quarterback and win. Either that or play the Riders, who look totally beat up. Quarterback Drew Tate impressed in his first career start and we think it wasn’t a one-time thing, but you never really know. His last two quality efforts have come against Toronto and Saskatchewan. The Stamps, unlike the Cats, have a chance to move up in their division, but there are no guarantees. The true test will come this Sunday in Montreal against a high-calibre team that is smarting after a loss and playing at home, where it rarely loses. Stamps are starting to get nicked up, too.
7	6		Losing 31-24 isn’t all that bad, especially after rallying from 21 points down, but the final score isn’t indicative of the game. The Eskimos gave the Argos life by going to sleep. The Argos are still terrible on offence. Just because Cory Boyd runs for 100 or more yards doesn’t guarantee Toronto a win. They have no passing attack. If you can’t move the chains in a passing league, you’re in trouble. Some of the receivers are dropping balls for no reason or failing to run full out on routes. If you’re an Argos fan, start getting excited about quarterback Henry Burris. He’s coming to Toronto in the off-season. Bet on it. There simply is no way the Argos can have confidence in their current quarterback situation. Only alternative to acquiring Burris is trading for Montreal backup Adrian McPherson. He’s got a great upside. Going into a Grey Cup year you need a proven commodity. Steven Jyles isn’t the answer.
8	8		The end of the season can’t come soon enough for the Roughriders, who are looking like one of those awful teams from the franchise’s past. Give quarterback Darian Durant credit for sucking it up and basically playing on one foot. Surely the team will show mercy and keep him out of the lineup the rest of the season to protect him from further physical pain. Besides, let the backups get some playing time. While the rumour that began out of Vancouver that Kent Austin will come back to Regina next year as GM/head coach has been shot down, changes are coming in Riderville.

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