CFL Power Rankings: Undefeated Eskimos rise to the top

Edmonton Eskimos' Odell Willis (41) celebrates a play against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday July 8, 2016. (Jason Franson/CP)

Heading into the fifth week of the CFL season, the Calgary Stampeders have finally lost. But their looming-giant Alberta neighbours remain undefeated.

Here’s how the league’s nine teams stack up based on recent form.

Rank Team Previous
1

No longer overshadowed by their provincial rivals, Edmonton is the last undefeated team standing this year. The Eskimos avenged their 2016 post-season loss to Ottawa with an impressive performance versus the defending champs. This year all signs point to the Grey Cup being awarded to a team in the province of Alberta.
2017 record: 3-0

2
2

In matchup of the league’s best offence versus the league’s best defence, the D won out and Montreal handed the Stampeders their first loss of the season. The result should be put in perspective as Calgary was missing 2016 sack leader Charleston Hughes. When at full strength Calgary is still the team to beat.
2017 record: 2-1-1

1
3

The Lions are rolling as they swept their three-game Eastern road trip, looking better in each successive game. Depth is their strength. How many teams can have Travis Lulay come off the bench and throw for 436 yards? Lulay was pressed in to action after Jonathon Jennings hurt his shoulder on the first play of the game vs. Hamilton. Their only real question mark moving forward is in the kicking game. Swayze Waters was brought in to be the Lions’ kicker of the future, but Ty Long has stolen the spotlight thus far.
2017 record: 3-1

3
4

Andrew Harris is back to being a force as a ratio-breaking running back, putting up 81 yards and two TDs on 17 carries against Toronto. The Bombers’ elite offensive line has been the key to their success, and they gave up zero sacks in their Week 4 win over the Argos.
2017 record: 2-1

5
5

It’s tough to know what to make of the Argonauts’ latest loss. They had multiple dropped touchdown passes and committed several poorly timed penalties. At the same time, they had multiple bad calls and missed calls against them, including one $1-million-erasing phantom penalty on what would have been a kickoff-return TD. On the bright side Ricky Ray has shown he’s still elite, putting up over 300 yards passing in all four games this year.
2017 record: 2-2

4
6

Slotback Nik Lewis claimed “they’re on the rise” and he is right. With the biggest upset win of the young season, Montreal put together an impressive home win versus Calgary and now are tied for first in the East. Things don’t get much easier from here, though, as they are faced with a trip to Ottawa on a short week of rest and then another away game in Winnipeg.
2017 record: 2-2

8
7

With the last names Roosevelt, Carter and Grant, the Riders’ receivers have been nicknamed “the Presidents.” Naaman Roosevelt, Bakari Grant and Duron Carter will have to continue to be first in class as arguably the best trio in the league as fellow receiver Caleb Holley has been put on the six-game injured list.
2017 record: 1-2

7
8

The Redblacks are finding out just how hard it is to defend a title. With by far the toughest schedule out of the gate and a bullseye on their chest, the 2016 Grey Cup champs and 2017 Grey Cup hosts have struggled to find their stride this season. That said, Ottawa has been in all four games so far and are only a minus-seven overall.
2017 record: 0-3-1

6
9

Not only do the Tiger-Cats have a three-game losing streak, but it seems every quarterback they face has a career day. Free-agent acquisition halfback Abdul Kanneh can’t return from injury soon enough. If the losing persists, expect major roster moves before the Labour Day deadline and before Hamilton falls too far behind in the division.
2017 record: 0-3

9

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