3DownNation CFL power rankings: Riders reach new heights amid 5-1 start

Week 7 of the 2024 CFL regular season is officially in the books following a lackluster slate of games across the country.

Hamilton and Calgary recorded major upsets, the Lions faltered, Saskatchewan’s defence dominated, Cameron Dukes got pulled, Edmonton suffered a slew of injuries, Zach Collaros struggled, and the Redblacks improved to 4-2 for the first time since 2018.

3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having twelve contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. The previous week’s rankings are in brackets. As always, please be sure to check back every Monday morning for our updated power rankings following each week of action in the CFL.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on Twitter — yes, we still call it “Twitter” — for anything you think we got wrong.

Photo: Michael Scraper/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

1) Saskatchewan Roughriders (3)

The Riders’ defence continues to make head coach Corey Mace proud, as they held Winnipeg to just nine points in front of a much improved Mosaic Stadium crowd. An interception from Adam Auclair and a forced fumble from Jameer Thurman were the difference late, as backup quarterback Shea Patterson continued to avoid mistakes in his third career start. Fullback Clint Ratkovich caught the game’s only touchdown and rookie Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou stepped up with 110 yards as Saskatchewan made do with what they had offensively.

Photo courtesy: Steven Chang/B.C. Lions

2) B.C. Lions (1)

B.C.’s tenure atop our power rankings was short-lived as the team’s usual high-flying offence was grounded amid windy conditions in Cowtown. Vernon Adams Jr. managed only 196 yards through the air and threw two interceptions, while the usually dominant Alexander Hollins made one catch for a measly seven yards. Calgary took 12 penalties for 180 yards but the Lions couldn’t take advantage as Ciante Evans failed to secure a late fumble from Jalen Philpot, which may have set up a game-winning field goal.

Photo courtesy: Montreal Alouettes

3) Montreal Alouettes (2)

The Alouettes returned from their bye week on Sunday without starting quarterback Cody Fajardo at practice, though the team is still holding out hope that he’ll be able to play this week. Time away has at least secured the return of all-star Canadian safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy, though receiver Kaion Julien-Grant is expected to be on the shelf long-term, prompting the addition of veteran pass catcher Nate Behar to their rotation.

Photo: Larry MacDougal/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

4) Calgary Stampeders (6)

The Stampeders moved up one spot after knocking off the Lions despite taking 180 penalty yards at home. James Vaughters got his first sack of the season and Tyler Richards made his first career interception, though the biggest bright spot for local fans was the performance of Jake Maier. The veteran quarterback completed 25-of-32 pass attempts for 307 yards and three touchdowns against B.C.’s tough secondary in what was surely his best outing of the year.

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

5) Ottawa Redblacks (7)

A gritty defensive performance helped to cover up two bad interceptions from Dru Brown and a bevy of receiver drops as Ottawa smothered the Elks at home. Second-year cornerback Deandre Lamont had a breakout game with nine tackles and a spectacular interception, while Bryce Carter and Lorenzo Mauldin IV finally got the pass rush going. After years at the bottom, Bob Dyce’s team has the early leg up on second place in the East Division.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

6) Toronto Argonauts (4)

It may be time for serious alarm bells in Toronto as a lifeless performance against their previously winless rivals down the QEW put them at .500 on the year. Quarterback Cameron Dukes was benched after a lacklustre showing and Nick Arbuckle came in late, tossing for 118 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Kick returner extraordinaire Janarion Grant made things interesting with his third touchdown in as many games, but pooched a return late that took his team out of range for a tying field goal.

Photo: Michael Scraper/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

7) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5)

Just when it seemed the Bombers had corrected their flight plan, Zach Collaros and the rest of the Winnipeg offensive returned to ineptitude by failing to score a touchdown against their biggest rival. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player struggled to demonstrate chemistry with anyone other than running back Brady Oliveira and the team’s longest play from scrimmage, a 50-yard catch-and-run by Nic Demski, was capped by a game-sealing fumble. Linebacker Adam Bighill isn’t in his coach’s dog house for driving the opposing quarterback into the turf with zeros on the clock, but the rest of the team should be for their performance.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

8) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (9)

The Ticats are winless no longer and their first victory came under ideal circumstances: at home versus their most hated rival. A key punt block by Canadian running back Ante Litre and a fumble return for a long touchdown by rookie defensive back Destin Talbert put the Tabbies up big early. They managed to hold off a late surge from the Argos as well, giving Scott Milanovich his first win as a head coach since 2016. Things might be finally looking up in Steeltown following an 0-5 start.

Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks

9) Edmonton Elks (8)

The firing of head coach and general manager Chris Jones did nothing to address the Elks’ many problems, as kicker Boris Bede traded bad kickoffs for shanked field goals in yet another loss. The offence had their worst outing of the season after play-caller Jarious Jackson took over as the team’s interim bench boss as McLeod Bethel-Thompson threw for just 206 yards and an interception, though he was angrier at the CFL than his own performance, blaming several Edmonton injuries on another short week for the team.

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”fbb/cfl_winner” size=”100%x400″ site_id=”3downnation”]