CFL Power Rankings

Here's how I rank the Canadian Football League teams throughWeek 2:

1. Ottawa Redblacks (Unchanged)

Record: 2-0

Streak: Won 2

Next:atCalgary

QB Trevor Harris has never lacked for confidence, or an ability to self-criticize. It wasn't surprising, therefore, that he improved dramatically as the game went by in a win over Montreal. Harris was in for Henry Burris (outsix games, broken finger), and ran a disciplined, balanced offence. After four incompletions in the first half, Harris had just two in the second half and finished with a perfect passer rating. When the RBs needed to run, they could (153 yards) and when going to the air, they could (395 yards). They took full advantage of Montreal's young corners, running them around all night. A little more pressure on the opposing QB is called for from the defence, though it was a much better overall effort this week. Note to coach Campbell: Let your players take the hits and stay on the sidelines.

Redblacks defeat Alouettes

8 years ago

Duration 0:46

Ottawa beats Montreal 28-13.

Alouettes' Duron Carter knocks down Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell

8 years ago

Duration 2:23

Tensions flare after Montreal wide receiver scores a touchdown.

2. B.C. Lions (Up from 4)

Record: 2-0

Streak: Won 2

Next: Toronto

Leos came to Tim Hortons Field, pulled on their new Clemson Tigers road uniforms (seriously, look it up), listened to the words of Wally Buono and then kicked the litter out of the home town Kitties. B.C. has been seriously impressive in beating Calgary and then Hamilton to open the new Buono era. Young QB Jon Jennings (16-27, 228 yards, one TD) moved the team smartly at times and overcame setbacks, such as throwing a fumble inside the 10-yard line. RB Jeremiah Johnson provided strong work from the backfield and the receivers caught the balls all night. Nick Moore went so far up for a catch he frightened a couple of passing birds. Defence was stalwart on its own side of the field, contributing four sacks. And the secondary, led by veteran Ryan Phillips (nice pick) was organized and dashing.

Lions dominate Tiger-Cats 28-3

8 years ago

Duration 0:26

The B.C. Lions easily handled the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to improve to 2-0 on the season.

3. Edmonton Eskimos (Unchanged Bye)

Record: 0-1

Streak: Lost 1

Next: Saskatchewan

When the schedule came out, everyone circled this date, etc. etc. Yes, Chris Jones brings last year's Edmonton coaching staff back to Commonwealth Stadium where the home side's defence is licking its wounds after being taken apart by Ottawa two weeks ago. QB Mike Reilly and his attack have been taking some flack for not being sharp, but that's silly. For a first game, they were strong, and the Riders secondary ahead is still in education mode. It's Darian Durant and the Saskatchewan offence everyone has to worry about. While the NHL Oilers have been taking up all the headlines, the Eskimos disappeared out of the local sports pages. Still should be a good crowd, considering the attraction.

4. Calgary Stampeders (Up from 7)

Record: 1-1

Streak: Won 1

Next: At Ottawa

A sense of calm settled over McMahon Stadium as the White Stallions cruised by the Bombers. It took a while trailing 7-3 midway through the second quarter but there was no feeling the horses would throw a shoe. QB Bo Mitchell (24-37, 309 yards, 2 TDs) led two big drives before half as the club scored 30 unanswered points overall. Mitchell is so confident he looks downfield, sees double coverage and zips the ball in anyway, plus the strength he shows tossing the ball outside shoulder to the deep flats without worrying about a defender jumping the route is remarkable. RB Jerome Messam (16-137) was powerful, and receivers Marquay McDaniel (7 catches, 116) and Joe West (8-91) justified every ball thrown their way. This week in Ottawa should be a great early season game.

Stampeders run over Blue Bombers 36-22

8 years ago

Duration 0:22

Bo Levi Mitchell threw 2 touchdowns passes in Calgary's first win of the season.

5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Down from 2)

Record: 1-1

Streak: Lost 1

Next: Winnipeg

It's easier to be bad then good, so we'll assume this week was an outlier and the win at Toronto to open the season was closer to what the Kitties really are. Make no mistake, the Canada Day classic in the Hammer was a stinker as the offence came up with onlythree singles, just a week after blowing out the Argos. If you simply looked at the stats, it didn't seem that bad, but all of the Kitties' yards were uphill towards the 55, while B.C.'s were downhill. Even kicker Brett Maher, normally solid, felt the chill by missing all three of his attempts. Jeremiah Masoli (26-39, 248) was moving the team, but two picks and two fumbles, plus penalties, killed everything. No running game at all. In total, Cats took 13 flags, eight in a row when the game was on the line. Hey, Winnipeg is in on Thursday, so things will instantly improve. Right?

6. Toronto Argonauts (Up from 8)

Record: 1-1

Streak: Won 1

Next: At B.C.

Getting a win in Regina was a nice thing, but there are still problems with this offence. Dropsies, for instance (five of them). Finding a running game, for another. Ricky Ray (13-22, 186 yards, 2 TDs) opened with a 14-0 lead, thanks to Larry Taylor's huge punt return early, and a pitch and catch with Vidal Hazelton. The latter is growing towards stardom in Double Blue. What made Ray's night impressive is how calm he was, even under pressure, probing, pushing, finding openings. And he needed to, as the Rider defence wasn't giving him anything the rest of the way. Defensively, the secondary is still a bit of a mess as it learns the new system and how to play it together. Kicking Lirim Hajrallahu is enjoying being out of Winnipeg he's now 5-for-5 in two games and his three FGs sealed it out west. Note to Ray: Don't run Ricky run. It's too dangerous.

Argonauts defeat Roughriders

8 years ago

Duration 0:39

Toronto beats Saskatchewan 30-17.

7. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Down from 5)

Record: 0-1

Streak: Lost 1

Next: At Edmonton

Everything was bright and sunny at Mosaic until the Riders' first punt, returned 59 yards to set up a Toronto TD. Next enemy possession resulted in a long touchdown pass to a wide-open receiver. It's going to take some time to rebuild this defence and special teams. They settled down after this and played pretty darn well, holding the Argos to just 241 yards in total offence. All eyes were on QB Darian Durant (31-of-48, 310 yards, 1 TD, 0 int), who had not played, we were told, in 368 days. He was back to his old self and even had an accidental reception, off a knock down. Riders can be contenders with him, but 18 games is a long time. Linebacker Shawn Lemon asked for a trade and was given one, bringing in OL Matt Sewell, and QB Mitch Gale. Both will help.

8. Montreal Alouettes (Down from 6)

Record: 1-1

Streak: Lost 1

Next: Bye

Watching the Larks these last few years has been a true Harold Lloyd experience always taking the hard way and never quite getting there. This week, however, was classic. Their superb slotback, S.J. Green, is gone for the year after tearing all of the ligaments in his knee. Starting runner Tyrell Sutton is gone for at least six weeks with his own knee problem. And then there's Duron Carter. You could run Play 98 in black and white with the sound off and it's still Hollywood quality. The result of Carter knocking down RBs coach Rick Campbell and dancing through the bench is he's been fined by his own team and earned a one game suspension from the league. Craziness. Oh, the Larks lost. Did you remember that? QB Kevin Glenn did his best, couldn't finish drives, and the defence gave up 532 yards net after tiring late.

9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Unchanged)

Record: 0-2

Streak: Lost 2

Next: At Hamilton

When Macho Harris launched himself into space to block a field goal, and Julian Posey ran it back to the two, it looked like Winnipeg might have a chance. They were still with a lead late in the half, until the defence let Calgary go off for a 10 play TD, and a six play major into the dressing room. Game over. Stamps first three drives of the third produced a FG and two more TDs. Well the new road uniforms looked great. Drew Willy had good stats (32-44, 358, 2 TDs), though 258 of them were in the fourth when the team was down 36-7. Defensively, the largest concern is the 208 yards given up on the ground. If the opposition is piling up yards by air and ground, you have a major problem. Can HC Mike O'Shea keep these guys believing?