We’re starting to get some playoff clarity in the CFL after week 13. We’ve seen the Blue Bombers, Argonauts, and Roughriders clinch and the Elks and Redblacks have been mathematically eliminated. Despite the playoff picture becoming more clear, the middle of the power rankings remains as confusing as ever. Here’s how they rank 13 weeks into the season.

9. Edmonton Elks (2-8)

The Tiger-Cats put the boots to the Elks in week 13 and the Elks season is just crying to be over. The good news is that it is getting there. There will be mercy soon, but there’s something that needs to be addressed. The poor attendance has nothing to do with the name change. The team’s poor performance has nothing to do with the name change. In short, get over the name change. There is something happening behind the scenes that need to be fixed, and no, it’s not changing the name back.

8. Ottawa Redblacks (2-10)

Despite only losing by 13 points to the Stampeders, it never felt like the Redblacks had a chance to win the game. They were never really in it despite what the scoreboard was saying, but there was one big positive in week 13. Caleb Evans played well and continues to look like he might be a good quarterback in the CFL in the coming year. They have that the build on.

7. BC Lions (4-7)

Remember when the BC Lions were 4-2 coming off of three consecutive wins against the Redblacks and Alouettes? Good times, right? Well, since then, they are yet to win a game and have looked on the same level as the Redblacks and Elks at times. You have to ask what happened. They have a good team on paper and one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Where do you go from here? They need to win out to have a chance at an East crossover and their chances of getting ahead of the Stampeders are dwindling. It’s almost time to think about next year in Vancouver.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-5)

The Tiger-Cats have beaten the Redblacks and Elks in the past two weeks, and with a matchup against the Lions coming up this week, they have a chance to clinch themselves a playoff spot. They are playing some weak teams right now so I don’t put too much stock into them winning per se, but they are still a threat to be the East’s representative in the Grey Cup, especially when they get Dane Evans back.

5. Montreal Alouettes (6-5)

The Alouettes had things going their way, but now, they are in a little bit of hot water. After a loss to the Roughriders, they now play the Blue Bombers twice before seeing the Redblacks to close out their season. Winnipeg should have some backups in for those games, but they won’t be easy to beat. Trevor Harris made his Alouettes debut and didn’t look all that good either. They might be on the road in the opening round of the playoffs.

4. Toronto Argonauts (7-4)

Sure, the Argos beat the BC Lions and yes, good teams win the close games, but this isn’t the game to talk about and say “look, the Argos are good.” This game really bothers me when it comes to the Argos. In no situation can you possibly take a knee on the game when there will be time left on the clock. Punting the ball back to the Lions with 18 seconds left in the game up by one point can never happen, especially not when you give the opposing team field position immediately. Had it not been for the Lions’ kicker missing three times, they would have lost this game. The Argos survived, but that can’t ever happen again.

3. Calgary Stampeders (6-6)

After a setback in week 12, the Stamps rebounded with a win over the Redblacks. It certainly wasn’t convincing, but it wasn’t quite on the same level as that Argos game. The Stamps are on bye this upcoming week, but they could be in for a big game when they get back in week 15 depending on what happens with the Lions in week 14.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-4)

The Roughriders are back in the second spot, a place they haven’t been since week nine in our rankings. The problem is that no one really deserves to be in the second spot. No one is playing good football outside of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers right now. They are 7-4 right now, but they also started the season 3-0, meaning they are 4-4 since. They need Cody Fajardo playing better, something he is capable of. They are in the conversation, they just need to re-fire the cold engine now.

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-1)

There was no Bombers beat down this week with them on bye, but I’m sure they absolutely kicked the crap out of their bye week. It will be interesting to see what the Bombers do going forward this season. Will they continue to play their stars or will they sit them? When is it too early?

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