CFL Power Rankings Week 10: Here come the Blue Bombers

Power Rankings

It was expected coming into the 2023 CFL season that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers would be the best team in the CFL. After a somewhat slow start to the season the Blue Bombers showed the BC Lions how good they can be with dominating beat down.

9) Edmonton Elks

The Elks did not lose this past weekend, so you know they had a bye!

8) Ottawa Redblacks

Crum completed 16 of 20 throws for 170 yards as Ottawa suffered their second consecutive setback and dropped to 3-5 on the season.

7) Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Taylor Powell passed for 202 yards and two interceptions during his debut start as quarterback for the Tiger-Cats, and Simoni Lawrence led their defensive efforts with 11 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery. The Ti-Cats looked poised to pull off the upset until the Alouettes exploded in the fourth quarter.

6) Calgary Stampeders

Jake Maier led both in passing yards and interceptions coming into this game, yet completed 22-of-24 passes for 149 yards, while Tommylee Lewis led all receivers with nine receptions for 58 yards.

Dedrick Mills set a career-high rushing for the Stamps with 137 yards on 27 attempts while Cameron Judge led with four tackles and Michael Griffin earned forced fumble and fumble return duties.

5) Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders mounted a late game-winning drive on Sunday at Mosaic Stadium to beat the Ottawa REDBLACKS 26-24.

After watching Ottawa take an unlikely 24-23 lead late in the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan Roughriders responded quickly by using Mario Alford for a long return and Mason Fine’s quarterbacking skills to move the ball deep within Ottawa territory to set up kicker Brett Lauther with an opportunity for the game-winning field goal kick.

Fine was impressive throughout, completing 23 of 37 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown – including a 42-yarder to Shawn Bane Jr., Bane finished with six receptions for 88 yards and a score in the win for 4-4 Roughriders.

Jamal Morrow added one more major to his debut in the first half with the only touchdown of that period.

Saskatchewan’s defense also produced an outstanding effort on home turf, recording six sacks on quarterback Dustin Crum – including three by defensive lineman Anthony Lanier alone.

CFL 2023 Recap: Ottawa @ Saskatchewan – week 9

4) Montreal Alouettes

At the top of East Division standings, the Montreal Alouettes took another step forward on Saturday night towards reaching their goal of a division title.

Victorious over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 27-14 and scoring 18 points in the fourth quarter, the Als took second place behind the Toronto Argonauts.

Cody Fajardo was impressive as he threw for 318 yards, one touchdown pass, during this win while William Stanback led with 19 carries for 106 yards rushing.

Shawn Lemon led Montreal’s defense with two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble to secure victory, while Jamal Davis II added one sack and one tackle for loss.

CFL 2023 Recap: Montreal @ Hamilton – week 9

3) BC Lions

The Lions had been a dominant team so far this season, except for an early loss to the Argonauts. That changed this past weekend as the Lions were handed their lunch by a Winnipeg Blue Bombers team that had not yet played up to the standard many expected this season.

2) Toronto Argonauts

The Argos’ offence took a major blow as Kelly was sidelined due to an ankle injury shortly before halftime against the Stamps, allowing Cameron Dukes to show what he can do for the team.

Mike Moore quickly sacked Dukes for his sixth sack of the season before Jonathan Moxey intercepted in the end zone and gave the ball back to Calgary.

This was a close game up until the injury to the Argos starting quarterback.

CFL 2023 Recap: Toronto @ Calgary- week 9

1) Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg knew defeating the Lions at home would be difficult after falling 30-6 on June 22 at IG Field. After struggling to score any majors during the first four quarters against them, Winnipeg came out strong, scoring two touchdowns on each drive of their opening two drives before scoring six total touchdowns.

Running back Brady Oliveira said his team wasn’t focused on what happened six weeks prior but rather wanted to play an effective game against what has been an impressive Lions squad in 2023.

The Bombers had won but struggled as of late, but this past weekend they showed why they are the favorite to win this year’s Grey Cup.

CFL 2023 Recap: BC @ Winnipeg – week 9