It is Week 4 of the 2024 season, which makes it the perfect time to take an early look at the CFL Power Rankings.
We’re heading into a week, but that could turn all these rankings upside down by Canada Day next Monday.
Edmonton goes into B.C. winless, losing all their games by one score. Montreal heads to Toronto for a battle of the undefeated. The Blue Bombers are heading into Calgary amid their worst start in over a decade. Finally, the Ti-Cats head to the nation’s capital to play the Redblacks, a week after both teams got demolished.
There’s lots to get into, but first, let’s look at the week’s story.
CFL Story of the Week: What is Happening to Winnipeg?
There are many captivating storylines heading into Week 4 of this CFL season, and it’s hard not to look at the defending champs Montreal Alouettes’ perfect season. However, that is not entirely shocking, even though they look very good.
What is shocking is the awful start by a team that has been to four straight Grey Cups, winning two of them. Of course, we’re talking about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
One of the most significant conversations around the CFL is whether we should panic over the Bombers’ brutal start.
Superstar quarterback Zach Collaros and this Winnipeg offense are ranked 6th out of 9 in total points with 55, the fifth-highest total in the league, and tied for fifth in points allowed with 76. In addition, they are the worst in average points scored, net offense, and yards per play.
Defensively, they are in the middle of the pack for most categories, but it doesn’t matter if the offense can’t produce.
Receiver Kenny Lawler remains on the 6-Game IL, while Brady Oliveira appears to be fully healthy heading into Saturday night’s contest in Calgary.
Now, let’s get to those power rankings.
1. Montreal Alouettes (3-0)
For a team that averages 32.3 PPG, you would think their biggest strength is their offense. It’s a big one, for sure, but it’s on the back of their defense that they put up these impressive wins every week.
They are ranked first in the CFL in points allowed, yards allowed, and yards allowed per play. They also rank first in average yards on first down with 5.57. In two-down football, that’s a really good number.
They’ve beaten the Bombers, Elks, and Redblacks on their way to 3-0. They play the Argos twice in the next three weeks, which will be a much tougher task.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0)
The Roughriders have beaten the Elks once and the Ti-Cats twice to start the season 3-0. Both teams are winless, so take that for what it’s worth.
The resiliency that the Riders have shown early is impressive. In their first two wins, they came back from double-digit deficits to come back and secure the victories.
In addition, they are second in the CFL in points per game and total touchdowns. Their passing stats are middle of the pack, and their rushing stats are towards the bottom of the league. Yet, their defense continues to give them great field position, and they consistently find ways to get the ball in the endzone.
Defensively, they are in the top three in almost every main category.
They have a bye in Week 4 before Toronto comes to town next Thursday.
3. Toronto Argonauts (2-0)
No team in the CFL had more roster turnover than the Argos. Not to mention their star QB being suspended for half of the season. After winning 16 games last year, their over/under was set at 10.5, and many people picked them to go under.
Well, they have picked up right where they left off, even with a second-year QB under center.
They are first in the CFL in points per game, averaging 37. Despite the roster changes, their offensive line remains the best in the league, and the rushing stats show it. In only two games, they have 306 rushing yards and an average of 153. Both of those are the best by far.
The concerning part of this team is the defense. They’ve allowed 31.5 points per game and have allowed a league-worst 352.5 passing yards per game. Their rush defense is second in the CFL, but with a high-powered Montreal offense coming to town, that pass defense remains a significant vulnerability.
4. B.C. Lions (2-1)
After losing a heartbreaker in Toronto in Week 1, the Lions are starting to click and turn into the Grey Cup team many projected them to be.
Offensively, on the back of QB Vernon Adams Jr., they are a force to be reckoned with. They are first in the CFL in yards per game, averaging 408.3, and first in yards per play, averaging 7.47. They are also first in passing yards, averaging 346, while averaging 10.9 yards per pass, which is also first.
Defensively, they are middle of the pack in almost every category but are tied for third in sacks with 7.
While their next opponent, the Elks, are winless, they’ve been very productive offensively. Thursday night will be a good test for a team with Grey Cup aspirations.
5. Calgary Stampeders (1-1)
Last year, the Stamps started the season 1-1 and never returned to .500 again. In this young season, QB Jake Maier has had a very promising start, and one could argue they deserved a better fate in their loss to B.C.
Calgary’s offensive attack has been very balanced, averaging 370 total yards. While no stat jumps out in particular, Maier has four touchdowns to only one interception, which shows the poise and composure this offense plays with. He also has a CFL-best 79.7% completion rate.
Their defense is a bit of a headscratcher. They allow the most yards per game in the CFL, averaging 410.5 yards per game. Yet, they are third in the league in points allowed, with 25.0.
This week will be an interesting challenge for them as they take on a Winnipeg team that should be much more offensively dominant than they have been.
6. Edmonton Elks (0-3)
The Elks have been a bad team for years, and this year was supposed to be one of hope. With a 0-3 start, it’s hard to see that. But there are a lot of positives for the team and fan base to pull from.
Week 1 against Saskatchewan was the game that got away. Up by double-digits late, they let the Riders come back and get the win. In Week 2, they lost a three-point game to the defending champs. In Week 3, the Argos were up by three scores, and the Elks battled back with a chance to win at the end of the game. They ended up losing 39-36.
Offensively, this team has become a threat every time it is on the field. They average the third-most passing yards in the CFL with 326 and the most first downs in the league with 67. They also average the most plays per game with 57.7.
The rushing attack is leaving much to be desired, averaging a league-worst 48.7 rush yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, they can’t stop the run to save their lives, allowing the second-most rush yards in the CFL. Their pass defense, however, has been outstanding. They are first in passing yards allowed with 262.7.
7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-3)
The Ti-Cats are the best team in the CFL at shooting themselves in the foot.
They are second in yards per game, averaging 394.3. They are second in first downs with 64 and second in yards per play with 7.21. QB Bo Levi Mitchell is in the top three in yards and TDs.
Yet, the turnovers continue to sink this team week after week. They are last in the league in turnover ratio at -6 and have created only one turnover this season.
On top of that, star receiver Tim White has had a hard time bringing in the ball after a winter of contract disputes. He has only 10 catches on 26 targets, plus several end zone drops.
They are in the middle of the league in most defensive categories—except for the stat that may matter the most: They are dead last in points allowed per game with 33.7.
If this team can find a way to work together, they could be a threat to win any game. Until then, they will keep sliding down the power rankings.
8. Ottawa Redblacks (1-1)
There is an argument to be made that the Redblacks should be higher on this list, but after their 47-21 blowout-loss to Montreal last week, #8 seems like the perfect spot.
After a Week 1 bye, they shocked the CFL world in Week 2, beating the Bombers 23-19. That victory gave high hopes to a team and fanbase that has been at the bottom of the barrel for a few years. That hope did not last long, as in their loss to Montreal, they looked a lot like the last-place team from the past season.
47-21 is a pretty flattering score since they were down 30-1 at the half. In addition, they allowed just under 500 total yards. That yardage brought their yards allowed average to 397.5, the second-last in the CFL.
It’s only been two games, but the offense is near the bottom of the league in every category, and the defense isn’t fairing much better.
QB Dru Brown is a good player, but time will tell if the rest of his team can’t help him out along the way.
9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-3)
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
As mentioned in our story of the week, the Blue Bombers are 0-3 for the first time since 2012, and panic has set in up in Winnipeg.
Mike O’Shea is one of the best coaches in the CFL, Zach Collaros is the best QB in the CFL, and Brady Oliveira is one of the best backs in the CFL. You would think they would figure all of this out at some point.
Collaros has yet to throw a pass into the endzone. On top of that, they are last in the CFL in points per game, yards per game, and yards per play.
Winnipeg’s defense is average, and that isn’t all that surprising. But if this team is going to turn it around and make it to a fifth straight Grey Cup, it will have to be on the backs of their offense.
This week, they play a well-rested Calgary team, fresh off a bye.
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About The Author
Marc Sautter is a self-proclaimed sports addict, with the NHL being his specialty. After being a sports fan from afar, Marc made a career change in his 30s to cover sports through journalism and podcasting. His daily NHL preview and betting show “Pucks Across Borders” airs every weekday morning. In addition to hockey, you can read his work on the CFL all summer on Total Apex Sports.