3DownNation CFL power rankings: Calgary Stampeders give thanks for return to form

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
Week 19 of the 2025 CFL season is officially in the books, and the playoff picture looks pretty much the same as the last time we checked in.

The Edmonton Elks kept themselves alive — and both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders at bay — with a victory. Meanwhile, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats fumbled the bag and gave the Montreal Alouettes hope to steal the top seed. Only the Saskatchewan Roughriders got the job done, clinching first in the West.

3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having 10 contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. The previous week’s rankings are in brackets. As always, please be sure to check back every Monday morning for our updated power rankings following each week of action in the CFL.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on social media for anything you think we got wrong.

Photo courtesy: Jeff Vinnick/B.C. Lions
1) B.C. Lions (1)

In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the Lions slept this week. The team’s final bye of the season gave them a chance to bask in the glow of a fourth straight victory, while also getting healthy. Likely all-star Jarell Broxton is expected to be back at left tackle after the break, while prized offseason addition Dejon Allen is poised to return at right tackle after a long injury absence.

Photo courtesy: CFL.
2) Montreal Alouettes (2)

Davis Alexander was reportedly unsatisfied by his output of 240 yards passing, but the Alouettes didn’t need any more to whallop the Redblacks. Marc-Antoine Dequoy kicked things off by returning his own blocked punt for a major, and Austin Mack had one of his better days at the office this season with five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. Montreal can enjoy their holiday bird while thankful to be one game behind Hamilton for first place.

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders.
3) Saskatchewan Roughriders (4)

The Riders continue to take the phrase “They don’t ask how, they ask how many” very literally, eking out a close win against an otherwise eliminated opponent. Fortunately, Sam Emilus had a huge day with 142 yards receiving, and beleaguered kicker Brett Lauther hit all five of his field goals to secure the win. That has clinched Saskatchewan first place and a home West Final, though head coach Corey Mace refused to be doused in celebration.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
4) Calgary Stampeders (7)

The Stamps got off the schneid in commanding fashion, blowing past the East Division leaders by multiple touchdowns. Vernon Adams Jr. avoided any turnovers for the first time in weeks, while Dedrick Mills pounded the rock to the tune of 105 yards and two touchdowns. Add in bookending picks from Adrian Greene and Derrick Moncrief, and Calgary looked like their old selves again.

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography
5) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3)

Who are the real Hamilton Tiger-Cats? We’re not quite sure after their second bad loss in three weeks. Kenny Lawler and Tim White still passed the century mark on a 300-yard afternoon for Bo Levi Mitchell, but the ground game was nonexistent. Even more absent was the run defence, which allowed 211 yards rushing.

Photo courtesy: Edmonton Elks
6) Edmonton Elks (6)

Positives: The Elks upset the Bombers and kept themselves alive in the playoff race. Negatives: They didn’t even attempt to secure the tiebreaker due to some questionable late-game decisions, and are now as far away from their goal as ever. At least they can be satisfied that the result was entertaining, as Kordell Jackson played Johnny-on-the-spot by recovering his teammate’s fumbled punt for a touchdown, and Justin Rankin made yet another game-breaking touchdown run.

Photo courtesy: James Maclennan/CFL.ca
7) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5)

The Bombers made it close in the end, thanks to a superhuman play from Ontaria Wilson, but underperformed in their opportunity to close the playoff bracket. Brady Oliveira put himself in elite company with a fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, putting forward 147 combined yards, but Zach Collaros tossed a pair of interceptions and finished with just 202 yards through the air. Fortunately, they managed to preserve the season series even in defeat.

Photo courtesy: Toronto Argonauts
8) Toronto Argonauts (8)

The Argos kept it close and respectable against the CFL’s top team, even though the result didn’t matter one iota. That didn’t mean the loss wasn’t ugly in other ways, though, as Jarret Doege was yo-yoed back and forth between the field and the injury tent after smashing his head on the turf three times. At least linebacker Isaac Darkangelo had a good day, amassing 13 total tackles and a sack.

Photo courtesy: CFL.
9) Ottawa Redblacks (9)

Dustin Crum’s sixth start of the season may have been his least impressive, as he managed just 162 yards passing and 36 yards rushing in another resounding loss. Adding embarrassment to the defeat was a surprise onside kick drilled directly off Zachary Philion’s back for a recovery to start the second half. The only thing the Redblacks have going for them right now is that they need just one more loss to clinch the first overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft.