Week 21 of the 2025 CFL season is officially underway and the playoff matchups are finally set.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will face the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Finals, while the BC Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Finals. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders await the winners of both matches.
3DownNation'The power rankings are created by having 10 participants independently rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 and then averaging the scores. The previous week's ratings are in parentheses. Since the playoff rankings speak for themselves, this will be our last episode until the Gray Cup is awarded.
Enjoy the rankings and feel free to criticize us on social media for anything you think we got wrong.
1) BC Lions (1)
Another sensational performance from Nathan Rourke gave the Lions the home playoff game that Amar Doman deserved, but the rest of the game gave plenty to worry about. BC was attacked by Saskatchewan's starting unit and then pushed to the brink by their backups. If not flagrant unintentional whistle on Tevon Campbell's 117-yard TD runthey can go East as part of a crossover team.
2) Montreal Alouettes (2)
Alouettes made a sharp U-turn before the final competitionabandoning their demands for Davis Alexander to play and releasing McLeod Bethel-Thompson instead. As you might expect, this led to offensive woes and a boring end to their winning streak, but anything that happens without their unbeatable quarterback doesn't really count. What matters is several serious injuries they may have suffered as a result of the loss against his possible opponent in the playoffs.
3) Saskatchewan Roughriders (4)
The Riders enter their first round with a two-game losing streak, but those tough losses to playoff teams while grinding out every player on the roster are more impressive than most wins. The most promising thing was that Trevor Harris led the way with three runs scored and threw just one incompletion before sitting out. at the beginning of the second quarter. In this case, the watermelon-clad believers are indeed right when they say: the referees ruined their game—literally.
4) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5)
Ticats have done well their last opportunity to take first place in the East Divisionwhich made it easier for Ottawa to navigate the process. Tim White caught a pair of touchdown passes and Bo Levi Mitchell set a new career high with 36 passes, but the real star was the defense. Braxton Hill and DaShawn Amos each caught a pair of interceptions. as part of the evening of six elections.
5) Calgary Stampeders (3)
What did the Stampeders do to deserve to drop two spots in the rankings? Honestly, nothing, but their road to the Gray Cup just got a lot tougher after they missed out on a home playoff game. However, they successfully defeated their provincial rivalsthanks in part to a brilliant try from Bailey Devine-Scott on the goal line and a controversial recovery from Jacob Roberts.
6) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6)
The Bombers rested a lot of their starters and still pulled out a win over an equally depleted Montreal team, but it wasn't enough to save them from the crossover fate. It may have also cost them a backup quarterback as Chris Streveler went down early with a serious knee injury.. Terry Wilson took over from there, but it took just 79 yards to win.
7) Edmonton Elks (7)
The Elks continued to fight in a meaningless regular season finale, but failed to recover a loose ball in the end zone and as a result failed. Now the focus shifts to the future as Edmonton looks to lock up the franchise quarterback of his choice in Cody Fajardo.. It's almost certain means the end of the road for Tre Fordwhose uncertain future and potential change of scenery will be discussed in the offseason.
8) Toronto Argonauts (8)
The offseason is already in full swing for the Argonauts, who completed their 18-game schedule in Week 20. The first non-playoff campaign of the Ryan Dinwiddie era has been marred by injuries and a lack of depth, but at least they can rest assured that the quarterback situation will move forward. with Chad Kelly, who is expected to return next year and Nick Arbuckle is still under contract. Other key documents will need to be re-signed. including the likes of Wynton McManis.
9) Ottawa Redblacks (9)
Ottawa's dismal 2025 season didn't have an uplifting ending. Tyree Adams was no chance of further development after two interceptions in the first halfMatthew Schiltz rewarded the franchise with four more in the second half after they inexplicably congratulated him one last time, and head coach Bob Dies was officially fired after it was all over.. Is it any wonder that some players it's hard for you to look your fans in the eyes?
