Eskimos take top spot in CFL Power Rankings

Winning five in a row has moved the Eskimos to the top of the rankings for the first time since Week Six. Maybe they can't win 15-11 every week, but take the road win at Calgary and take over the top spot.

Key Injuries: RB John White (Achilles), G Simeon Rottier (knee), WR Shamawd Chambers (knee), G Greg Wojt (concussion).

While the Stampeders have an 11-4 record, tying the Eskimos for league-best, it's really been anrelatively unimpressive road to that record, with five of those wins coming by three points or fewer. Coming off a Grey Cup season, as the clear favourites entering this season, more was expected.

Key Injuries: DT Corey Mace (foot), T Edwin Harrison (leg), DB Joe Burnett (ankle), MLB Juwan Simpson (clavicle), RB Jon Cornish (neck), T Dan Federkeil (leg), DB Fred Bennett (arm).

The resurrection of the Argonauts passing game has them moving up the ladder. Three straight wins and their improving offence gains some ground despite a defence that is still a work in progress.

Key Injuries: QB Ricky Ray (shoulder), SB Andre Durie (knee).

A win over Saskatchewan, with QB Jeff Mathews showing more promise than he had previously, gives the Ticats some reason for optimism, but Mathews has some work to do -- not least of all establishing some consistency that he can be productive and move the ball week after week, in order to give Hamilton a fighting chance.

Key Injuries: DT Brian Bulcke (knee), DT Linden Gaydosh (Achilles), RB C.J. Gable (elbow), WR Andy Fantuz (arm), DE Eric Norwood (undisclosed), DB Johnny Sears Jr. (undisclosed) and S Mike Daly (undisclosed), WR Bakari Grant (undisclosed), QB Zach Collaros (knee).

Provided they aren't playing Toronto, who won all three head-to-head matchups this season, the Redblacks are a formidable team, with 40-year-old QB Henry Burris rising up to lead the league in passing yardage. 

Key Injuries: WR Marcus Henry (undisclosed), MLB Travis Brown (shoulder).

Moving the Alouettes up would some projection, because the Alouettes have lost four of five, but getting QB Kevin Glenn from Saskatchewan gives them something they've rarely had this season -- a competent CFL quarterback. It's not enough to get excited about Montreal's chances, but Glenn raises the ceiling on what they might be able to achieve this season.

Key Injuries: DE Aaron Lavarias (arm), WR James Rodgers (undisclosed), QB Dan LeFevour (shoulder), LB Bear Woods (pectoral), QB Rakeem Cato (concussion).

After a two-point loss to Calgary and one-point loss to Edmonton, the Bombers pulled out a three-point win at B.C., which doesn't mean they are a good team yet, but they can compete with any team in the league.

Key Injuries:  QB Drew Willy (knee), RB Paris Cotton (arm).

Consistency has been elusive for the Lions, who lost at home to Winnipeg after stomping the Roughriders, but all is not lost. QB Jonathon Jennings is making progress and, in turn, WR Emmanuel Arceneaux is starting to put up big numbers in the passing game. 

Key Injuries:  QB Travis Lulay (knee).

The Riders are limping in to the finish line, losing four of the past five games, and they've traded QB Kevin Glenn to Montreal. It's the right move, though. Might as well let Brett Smith audition for the rest of the year because it's not like the wins and losses mean anything at this point.

Key Injuries:  QB Darian Durant (Achilles), ILB Shea Emry (neck).