Lefko on CFL: Week 18 power rankings - sportsnet.ca

Previous Power Rankings

TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	4	(10-7-0)	Give the Lions credit for bouncing back from their blowout loss to Hamilton and coming back with a statement win at home vs. Edmonton. Once again, Travis Lulay proved why he is easily the Most Outstanding Player in the West and possibly best overall in the league. Playing with a banged-up, Lulay threw for 322 yards, including three TD tosses, and had only one pick. He also moved the chains with three rushes for 22 yards and caused a facemask penalty on one of those runs. Just when the Eskimos whittled down the Lions’ lead to two late in the fourth, Lulay directed a touchdown drive. The Lions injury-plagued secondary gave up more than 300 yards in the air, but were stout against the run, limiting Eskimos’ power running back Jerome Messam to only 17 yards on eight carries.
2	6	(10-7-0)	Two wins in a row with new quarterback Drew Tate and it has made a difference. Tate has thrown four interceptions in his two starts, but the Stamps seem to be a different team in terms of their mental toughness. The fact the Stamps were able to beat Montreal at Molson Stadium, where the Als rarely lose, says something about how Calgary can be a force when it doesn’t get unhinged. The Stamps continue to be a team that plays its best on the road. Finishing out the season at home against Winnipeg will be interesting indeed.
3	3	(10-7-0)	Their three-game win streak came to an end with a tough loss in B.C. The Esks were slightly off on offence, missing opportunities with slightly overthrown balls, dropped passes and missed assignments. Fred Stamps caught seven passes for 79 yards, but it was the ones he didn’t catch that may have been most glaring. The Eskimos got away from their power running game and tried to capitalize on the Lions’ crippled secondary. Defensively, the Eskimos failed to shut down the Lions when it mattered most and took some dumb penalties in the process. Inconsistent field-goal kicking is an issue that needs to be addressed.
4	3	(10-7-0)	Two consecutive losses for the Als following a run of four wins in a row, albeit both defeats were against tough teams. The defence came apart against Winnipeg and yielded close to 500 yards in the loss to Calgary. Yes, the Als recorded two interceptions and forced three fumbles, but when your quarterback throws for 380 yards and your leading receiver eclipses the 100-yard mark, your team should win. The Als had a chance to grab first place following Winnipeg’s loss, so clearly this was a huge loss. Give quarterback Anthony Calvillo credit for fighting back from a loss last week that he personally blamed on himself.
5	7	(5-12-0)	Break up the Argos. Hey, they’ve actually shown some ability in recent games, winning four of their last seven and beating some of the better teams. They certainly came out like they meant business in Winnipeg and beat a team that had every reason to win and threw craps. Maybe it’s because the Argos have no pressure and can play looser. Maybe some of them are playing for their jobs next season. And maybe some opposing teams just aren’t taking the Argos seriously enough. Whatever the reason, the Argos are clearly playing the role of spoilers. Cory Boyd continues to pile up yards on the ground. If only this team had had a legitimate passing game.
6	1	(10-7-0)	Yes, the Bombers belong below the Argos. The Bombers started off 7-1 and have been woefully inconsistent since. How the Blue Bombers could fail to start their final regular-season game at home without intensity, particularly against a Toronto Argonaut team that has had a terrible passing game, is beyond belief. Remember when this whole Swaggerville thing actually had some meaning? The Bombers will still play host to a home game in the playoffs, but they need to really get their heads in the game. What’s wrong with quarterback Buck Pierce? Unless he’s facing Montreal, he really seems to struggle. He’s also getting banged up more often and you have to wonder if mentally and physically it’s taken a toll. One more thing, if your running back is on his way to posting a single-game high this season for rushing yards, why do you throw two consecutive passes near the goal line instead of pounding the ball?
7	5	(8-9-0)	Proving once again the only thing consistent about the Ticats this season is their inconsistency, you really have to wonder about Hamilton’s chances in the post-season. They can dominate B.C. 42-10 at home, then lose 19-3 on the road to Saskatchewan. Four turnovers by starter Kevin Glenn will surely create more discussion in Steeltown about the quarterbacking. Do the Cats give Glenn ample playing time in the final game to get himself mentally straightened out or do the rotation thing with Quinton Porter. Ticats better show more life against Toronto to end the season on Friday.
8	8	(5-12-0)	The Roughriders are limping -- literally -- toward the finish line but showed some heart beating the Ticats 19-3. Playing at home, Rider Pride was never more apparent. Quarterback Ryan Dinwidde completed only 35 oer cebt of his passes for all of 139 yards replacing the injured Darian Durant, but backup running back Brandon West had 96 yards on 19 carries, so at least he’s a positive moving forward. Safety Craig Butler had two picks and is definitely a worthy candidate for rookie of the year honours. He has plugged a glaring hole moving forward.

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