3Down power rankings: Hamilton holds court

The Hamilton Ticats are nearly unanimously the CFL’s No. 1 team as rated by the 3DownNation.

There was only one lone ranker who did not have the Tabbies at the top of their list — it wasn’t one of the crew west of Ontario either, so no bias at least for now.

The Ticats have set a franchise record with 13 wins during the first season with Orlondo Steinauer as head coach and there are opportunities for the black and gold to reach 15 in the final two games.

Hamilton leads the race for the league’s best record by two wins over Calgary and Saskatchewan.

The power rankings are done by having 3Down contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9. The team with the fewest “points” gets the top ranking with each subsequent club receiving rankings two through nine. The previous week’s rankings are listed in brackets.

Photo by Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.ca

1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1)

The Ticats might have three league award winners: Brandon Banks (MOP), Simoni Lawrence (MODP) and Orlondo Steinauer (COY). Quite a trio.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

2. Calgary Stampeders (2)

Bo Levi Mitchell once again delivered in the clutch to help the Stamps remain in control of the West.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (3)

Cody Fajardo is the face of the franchise – earning the money to match — and still has the Riders gunning for top spot in the wild West.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4)

After battling Calgary to the wire for a full 60 minutes, Winnipeg proved they can compete with the best. But need to win against the elite. Perhaps Zach Collaros can be a difference-maker.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

5. Montreal Alouettes (5)

Vernon Adams Jr. is making a push for East Division Most Outstanding Player consideration. The Als are a dangerous team.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

6. Edmonton Eskimos (6)

The penalty issues have been addressed — just don’t ask Jason Maas about it.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

7. B.C. Lions (7)

DeVone Claybrooks’ crew can exchange blows with the big boys which bodes well for 2020.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

8. Toronto Argonauts (8)

Quietly McLeod Bethel-Thompson leads the CFL with 24 touchdown passes. There are signs of life on the Argos ship.

Photo Scott Grant / CFLPhotoArchive.com

9. Ottawa Redblacks (9)

3-13 won’t turn a lot of Redblacks’ frowns upside down. Long off-season ahead in the nation’s capital.