The gap is separating as we enter Week 8 of the CFL season.
Montreal, Edmonton and Saskatchewan remain atop the CFL power rankings with just one loss apiece, while we might need to make a new loser category for the winless, sputtering, RedBlacks.
Let’s dive right in with our Week 8 CFL power rankings.
You can see our full Week 8 game previews and score predictions here.
Don’t forget to check out Sports Interaction’s complete list of CFL game odds, CFL futures and CFL specials and props.
(Last week’s ranking listed in brackets)
1. Montreal Alouettes (1)
Record: 5-1
Week 7 result: W 38-32 @ CGY
Week 8 opponent: vs. HAM
What started out looking like a Montreal blowout over Calgary last week, quickly turned into a game that was a little too close for comfort, although the Als eventually escaped with a 38-32 win.
Fortunately, quarterback Davis Alexander continued to ball out with 402 passing yards and three touchdowns. Alexander now also owns the CFL record for most consecutive completions without throwing an interception.
2. Edmonton Elks (2)
Record: 5-1
Week 7 result: W 19-17 vs. BC
Week 8 opponent: @ SSK
Too close for comfort was the theme of Week 7, with the Elks nearly blowing a 12-point fourth quarter lead in their 19-17 win over B.C. Justin Rankin, who entered the week as the league’s leading rusher, was held to just nine yards on the ground, with the offence struggling as a unit overall.
Edmonton’s defence bailed them out, producing four sacks and four interceptions while limiting the Lions to just 213 net yards.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (3)
Record: 4-1
Week 7 result: Bye
Week 8 opponent: vs. EDM
Football is far from important right now as the Riders announced on Sunday that veteran linebacker Jayden Dalke was killed in a car accident that also claimed the life of Regina resident Bhishma Rajyaguru.
There was an outpouring of support across the CFL as Saskatchewan returned to practice this week ahead their Thursday Night Football matchup against Edmonton.
4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5)
Record: 4-2
Week 7 result: W 36-34 (OT) @ OTT
Week 8 opponent: vs. CGY
It was an ugly game for the Bombers last week, but a win is a win. Without Zach Collaros, the offence was turnover-prone through the first three quarters before exploding for 17 unanswered points to force overtime.
With Collaros on the six-game injured list, this will continue to be Dru Brown’s team for the foreseeable future.
5. Calgary Stampeders (4)
Record: 2-4
Week 7 result: L 38-32 vs. MTL
Week 8 opponent: @ WPG
Vernon Adams Jr., the league’s leader in TD passes (17), continues to impress as he has now tied Ricky Ray for most touchdown passes without an interception to start a season.
However, the Stampeders have dropped back-to-back comeback efforts against Montreal as they prepare to hit the road to face Winnipeg in Week 8.
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8)
Record: 3-3
Week 7 result: W 24-23 vs. TOR
Week 8 opponent: @ MTL
There might just be some life left in the Tabbies after Bo Levi Mitchell’s potentially season-ending injury. You can thank Tre Ford for that, who posted 218 passing yards and 109 rushing yards in Hamilton’s thrilling one-point win over Toronto last week.
This could be a make-or-break week for the Ti-Cats, who travel to Montreal to face the top team in the league.
7. Toronto Argonauts (7)
Record: 2-4
Week 7 result: L 24-23 @ HAM
Week 8 opponent: @ BC
The Argos showcased the new rouge rules for all to see last week. Unfortunately, it cost them the game after kicker Lirim Hajrullahu sent a 31-yard game-winning field goal wide in a one-point loss. Toronto’a defence also continues to struggle, while Chad Kelly added another tally to his league-leading nine interceptions.
There’s some light at the end of the tunnel, however, as the Argonauts have just one more road game this week followed by a bye before they finally play their first home game of the season at BMO Field in Week 10.
8. B.C. Lions (6)
Record: 1-4
Week 7 result: L 19-17 @ EDM
Week 8 opponent: vs. TOR
B.C. received a swift kick in the teeth with Nathan Rourke, last year’s Most Outstanding Player, knocked out of last week’s loss in Edmonton after suffering a shoulder injury in the first quarter. The good news is the injury isn’t to his throwing shoulder and it isn’t believed to be season-ending.
The bad news is Chase Brice was terrible in relief against the Elks, throwing for one touchdown and four interceptions. The Lions signed Tyrie Adams to help fill the void, but with just one win on the year, B.C.’s season is done if Rourke is out long-term.
9. Ottawa RedBlacks (9)
Record: 0-6
Week 7 result: L 36-34 (OT) vs. WPG
Week 8 opponent: Bye
The RedBlacks remain winless after an embarrassing effort that saw them blow a 17-point fourth quarter lead. Ottawa was consistently slapped around at the goal line on offence and the defence let four interceptions slip through their hands.
Keep in mind, only one team in CFL history has ever overcome an 0-6 start to the season and made the playoffs.