At the CFL season’s halfway mark, Saskatchewan leads, Calgary surges, and B.C. Lions look stronger than their record suggests in new power rankings.
CFL Mid-Season Power Rankings: Riders Dominate, Lions Rising
Saskatchewan Sets the Standard
At the halfway point of the 2025 CFL season, the Saskatchewan Roughriders stand tall with an 8-1 record, driven by quarterback Trevor Harris’s steady play and a defense leading the league with 28 sacks. With sold-out crowds at Mosaic Stadium, opponents now face one of the most difficult playoff environments in the league.
Calgary Back in the Mix
The Calgary Stampeders have rebounded from a rocky 2024 season, starting 6-3. Head coach Dave Dickenson’s decision to bring in quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has paid off, while defensive adjustments under Bob Slowik have energized the roster. The second half of the season will test whether opponents can solve Calgary’s new schemes.
Lions Better Than Their Record
Despite sitting at 5-5, the B.C. Lions may be the league’s most underrated team. Head coach Buck Pierce has emphasized a steady process, and quarterback Nathan Rourke continues to grow within the offensive system. If the defense sharpens, the Lions could emerge as a late-season contender.
Montreal Battles Injuries
The Montreal Alouettes, also 5-5, are down to their fourth-string quarterback, James Morgan. With key starters sidelined on offense, the defense remains strong but is under pressure to carry the load. A healthier roster could see Montreal reclaim dominance in the East.
Hamilton’s Winning Streak Ends
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats opened strong but recent losses to Saskatchewan and B.C. exposed vulnerabilities. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is in form, but protection issues cost Hamilton in a lopsided 29-9 loss to the Riders. Maintaining momentum will depend on shoring up the offensive line.
Winnipeg Still Dangerous
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-4) may no longer dominate as in past seasons, but their knack for late-game heroics remains. A walk-off field goal sealed their latest win, proof that experience and resilience keep them dangerous despite roster turnover and aging veterans.
Edmonton Finding Its Stride
The Edmonton Elks (3-6) are improving under rookie head coach Mark Kilam. With Cody Fajardo at quarterback and a strong running back duo in Justin Rankin and Javon Leake, the team is trending upward—if they commit to balancing the run game.
Toronto Struggles to Repeat
The Toronto Argonauts (2-8) have struggled to defend their Grey Cup title, dropping close games despite solid quarterback play from Nick Arbuckle. Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie has voiced frustrations, and the Argos’ championship pedigree is one of the few things keeping them above Ottawa in the rankings.
Ottawa Faces More Setbacks
The Ottawa RedBlacks (3-7) remain inconsistent and now face the loss of quarterback Dru Brown to injury. Despite flashes of competitiveness, mistakes at key moments continue to cost Ottawa, leaving fans eager for stronger leadership and results.
A Season of Tight Margins
With nine weeks remaining, the CFL remains unpredictable. While Saskatchewan has emerged as the clear leader, mid-tier teams like Calgary, B.C., and Hamilton have the potential to shift the playoff picture dramatically before November’s Grey Cup.
This article is original and written specifically for Surreyspeak.com
