Week nine of the Canadian Football League season has thrown a bit of a wrench into the power rankings, as our writers found each position difficult to navigate, with multiple spots being decided by a single point. Things are close, both at the top of the rankings and the bottom, so let’s break things down for another week of CFL football.

Note: Although there were no rankings from us published for week eight, the votes were submitted, and the ranking was done. You can see changes from week eight below each team.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (1-7)

The Ottawa Redblacks’ loss against the Calgary Stampeders in week nine felt like rock bottom. Sure, they were the better team in two of the three phases of the game (depending on who you ask, that Stampeders defence played well, and so did their special teams), but there was absolutely no contest on the offensive side of the ball. That is saying something, because the Stamps’ offence was just about as bad as we have seen it for a considerable amount of time. Once again, this was a game that the Redblacks could have won, but they couldn’t get out of their own way for long enough to do anything with the ball in their hands. Headed into a bye week, let the rumours surrounding head coach Paul LaPolice swirl.

8. Montreal Alouettes (2-6)

I would write about the Alouettes, but that air horn was so annoying on Thursday night that I decided not to. Everyone was annoyed, so please, either move it away from microphones or ban it altogether.

7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-6)

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats really felt like a team who was on the verge of finding the next level and breaking out over the past handful of weeks, but they didn’t impress in Toronto. Their mission to the playoffs was complicated as well, with Bralon Addison going down with an injury that looks like could potentially be a season-ender in the worst-case scenario. Still, the Cats stand in second in the East Division, but two wins isn’t going to cut it, they need to start winning some of these tight games against the rest of the East Division.

6. Edmonton Elks (2-6)

It would have been really nice to see some form of progression from the Elks against the Lions. It would have shown the steps they have taken since week one of the season, and there have been big steps forward, but they completely failed the litmus test. They got absolutely rocked by the Lions and they failed to make up any ground on the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Still in contention to earn themselves the crossover spot, the Elks need to show up against the Riders in week 10. If they managed a win, it’s possible they could overtake the Riders in the standings in the next handful of weeks based on who each team is playing.

5. Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-4)

Welcome to the gauntlet, Saskatchewan Roughriders fans. Coming off a bye week, the Edmonton Elks are on the schedule for the Riders in week 10, and they will see them again in week 15 before their next bye week, but the schedule between those two games has the potential to flip the season right sideways for the Riders. Two meeting each with the BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers could be a nightmare for the Riders, and with how they have been playing recently, it’s not unrealistic to think that 0-4 is not only possible, but potentially likely. That being said, the Riders shouldn’t be written off, and this stretch provides a real opportunity to turn their season around as well.

4. Toronto Argonauts (4-3)

After losing in shocking fashion to the Ottawa Redblacks in week eight, the Toronto Argonauts rebounded nicely against provincial rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. It wasn’t exactly a special performance that they will be talking about for decades to come, but the job got done, and right now, you need to consider them the runaway favourites to win the East Division. They are the only team in the East over .500, and they will have another chance to further extend their lead in the division in Hamilton next week.

3. BC Lions (6-1)

I’m not fully convinced that TSN didn’t accidentally air a re-run of the week one game between the BC Lions and the Edmonton Elks. The Lions destroyed the Elks 46-14, and Nathan Rourke once again turned in a simply outrageous performance, throwing for 477 yards and five touchdowns, while having just three of his 37 passes hit the ground. Next week, the Lions are going to match up against the Calgary Stampeders, and that contest could go a long way to deciding who might finish second in the West Division.

2. Calgary Stampeders (5-2)

It was likely just a blip on the radar, but the Calgary Stampeders were not very good in Ottawa in week nine. Bo Levi Mitchell looked pedestrian, but perhaps that is made even worse by both Ka’Deem Carey and Dave Dickenson missing the game thanks to COVID-19 protocols. Mark Kilam took over head coaching duties, a switch from his normal duties of special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, and this very well could be his last season in Calgary, as he looks like a promising candidate to finally land a head coaching job. The Stamps found a way to win the game, and that’s ultimately all that matters, but boy, was it ever ugly.

1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-0)

We’re going to start with the only complaint anyone could feasibly have about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers right now. For a team that is perfect this deep into the season, they sure do like to keep things close, and in many instances, play down to their opponents early in the game. They have always been able to fire things up late in the game so far, but we have been waiting for them to just destroy someone all season long. Check the schedule, do the Bombers finally have their first bye week of the season? Nope, they do not. The 10-week gauntlet finally comes to an end after their second game against the Montreal Alouettes in as many weeks, and they will be looking to finish off a perfect 10-0 start with a win on Thursday night.

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