2014 CFL Power Rankings Week 1

As there is every year, there's some tumult after week 1.

1. Saskatchewan Rough Riders
There were some doubts heading into the season that off-season losses would hurt the Riders. Apparently not. Darian Durant easily dispatched the Tiger-Cats in inclement weather, dealing out ten sacks to boot, three from non-import Ricky Foley. Durant is an experienced good CFL quarterback. That counts for a lot.

2. Calgary Stampeders
The Stamps started Bo Levi Mitchell instead of Drew Tate and that paid off handsomely with a dismantling of the Montreal Alouettes. Cornish getting roughed up isn't good, but Calgary is again a good team.

3. Edmonton Eskimos
Seems strange, but Mike Reilly and the Esks beat the Lions on the road to open the season. Reilly ran for his life last year, but picked up valuable experience. Edmonton probably won't be a great team this year, but they won't lose every close game like they seemed to last year.

4. BC Lions
Losing at home to the Eskimos isn't a great way to start the season and I expected a little more from Kevin Glenn. It was Glenn's first game ever with the Lions (regular season) however and Glenn has always been a quarterback who is better when comfortable with a few reliable targets. Lulay could potentially be back this week which would be a plus.

5. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Are the Bombers and Drew 'Slick' Willy for real? I'm not sure. Are they better than last year? Yes. Willy at least appears good enough for the Bombers to rally around rather than churning through quarterbacks like they did last year. I'm a little skeptical at Aaron Kelly being a team's star receiver, but who can argue with success.

6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Not impressive at all although the crazy weather did the Cats no favours. Perhaps what is most scary is that the Cats allowed ten sacks while starting two Americans on the offensive line. The Ticats certainly still have talent, but if they can't get their line together to protect  Collaros, it is going to be a long season.

7. Toronto Argonauts
Ricky Ray losing to the Bombers and being outplayed by Drew Willy isn't exactly a great portent for the Argos season. Ray is still a good CFL quarterback and I still like Scott Milanovich as coach.

8. Montreal Alouettes
Looks like the Troy Smith quarterbacking experiment might not be working out. That's not good for Montreal. Welcome to life post Anthony Calvillo.

9. Ottawa Red Blacks
They're still an expansion team and until they play a game, I'm not believing.