3DownNation CFL power rankings: Redblacks rise as Dustin Crum’s star rockets

Week 7 of the CFL season is officially in the books and a new contender has entered the ring, led by an unexpected young star.

3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having eleven of our contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. The previous week’s rankings are in brackets.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on Twitter for anything you think we got wrong.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

1) Toronto Argonauts (1)

Another week, another Argos’ win, another 300-yard performance for Chad Kelly. That familiar refrain isn’t getting boring in Toronto, where they are now 5-0 for the first time since 1960. With an explosive offence and a stingy defence combining throughout this string of dominant performances, it’s hard to imagine anyone stopping the reigning Grey Cup champions right now.

Photo courtesy: Jeff Vinnick/BC Lions

2) B.C. Lions (2)

The Lions lost star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to injury on their third series of the game but still clawed out a win thanks to the steady hand of backup Dane Evans and a smothering defensive unit. Mercifully, their franchise pivot sustained no ligament damage and does not look to be out long-term, keeping their status as West Division favourites intact.

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

3) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3)

The veteran Bombers kept the struggling Elks a little too close for comfort this week but flexed their superiority late. Canadian receiver Nic Demski blew the top off in the third with a 70-yard major but it was fellow Winnipeger Brady Oliveira who put the game away in the fourth, adding 80 of 110 yards rushing in the final frame.

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

4) Ottawa Redblacks (7)

After a second straight overtime victory, the Redblacks seem to have found something in rookie Dustin Crum. Ottawa’s unexpected saviour was 23-of-29 for 257 yards and two touchdowns in his second start while rushing for 63 yards, leaning on Carleton product Nate Behar when it mattered most.

Photo courtesy: Gary Lavoie/Montreal Alouettes

5) Montreal Alouettes (5)

The Alouettes remain steady in our rankings but might have a case of the bye-week blues after being leapfrogged by Ottawa in the East Division standings. Montreal did sit idle with their time off, however, parting ways with underperforming defensive end Nick Usher to make room for the addition of future Hall of Fame pass rusher Shawn Lemon.

Photo courtesy: Calgary Stampeders

6) Calgary Stampeders (4)

On a night where Jake Maier threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns, including a pair of spectacular scores by NFL returnee Marken Michel, the Stampeders still found a way to lose in overtime. With all momentum gained from their win over the Riders now lost, head coach Dave Dickenson is already warning that changes could be imminent if things don’t turn around.

Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/BC Lions

7) Saskatchewan Roughriders (6)

Youngster Mason Fine was mostly efficient in his first start in place of the injured Trevor Harris, but a painfully conservative offensive game plan and an anemic rushing attack stifled any hopes of a Saskatchewan upset on the west coast. After failing to score a single touchdown despite controlling the ball for a full 32 minutes, the team’s biggest complaint seems to have been that they were unjustly denied a safety in the first quarter.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

8) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8)

Rookie third-stringer Taylor Powell was better than expected in his first career start, throwing for 282 yards and just one interception while rushing for a late major in his debut. Still, the undisciplined Ticats continue to rack up more penalties and give up more big plays than even a seasoned franchise quarterback could overcome.

Photo: Timothy Matwey/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

9) Edmonton Elks (9)

The Elks can’t even escape their struggles on the road, as their defeat in Winnipeg marked the team’s 11th consecutive loss dating back to last year. The lone bright spot in their sea of troubles this week was receiver Dillon Mitchell, who finally had a breakout performance that included a spectacular 80-yard touchdown.