Stampeders pulling away in CFL Power Rankings

Faced with a real test, a road game against a surging BC Lions team, the Stampeders stepped up, dominating in all aspects of the game on the way to a 37-9 victory. Big credit to the Calgary defence, who stymied previously hot Lions QB Jonathon Jennings, limiting him to a 45.5% completion percentage for 153 yards.

Key Injuries: LB Glenn Love (shoulder), WR Joe West (ankle), T Dan Federkeil, G Cam Thorn (leg)

Okay, I don't like this any more than you do. I've had high expectations for the Eskimos this season -- and they clearly haven't been met -- but as teams start to bunch together around .500, and the two teams above get blown out at home, well, Edmonton slides back up to second spot. There's not much to choose from two through five or six, so their hold on second spot is certainly tenuous.

Key Injuries: DB John Ojo (Achilles), DT Don Oramasionwu (triceps), G Danny Groulx, G Chris Greaves

As his been the case with the Lions this year, momentum build and they look like they are ready to compete for top spot, then QB Jonathon Jennings get brought down to earth and their lofty placement gets re-evaluated. A blowout loss at home against Calgary shows that there is work to be done, but we're not losing all faith in the Lions just yet.

Key Injuries:  DB T.J. Lee (Achilles), WR Nick Moore (knee), DE Craig Roh (neck), DT Mic'hael Brooks (ankle)

Getting crushed at home by the Alouettes was an eye-opener for the Redblacks, and they might have fallen further in the rankings if not for the decision to go back to Trevor Harris at quarterback. Henry Burris hasn't matched last year's performance, and Harris was unstoppable when he got his shot early in the season.

Key Injuries: RB William Powell (Achilles), T Tommie Draheim, DE Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (ankle), DE Aston Whiteside (knee), DB Jerrell Gavins (knee).

I don't feel any better about the Ticats at five than I do about the Eskimos at two, but even a destruction of the Roughriders doesn't earn them a boost this week. If Zach Collaros is back to his old self, and he sure looked that way leading a 53-7 rout over Saskatchewan, then it won't be long before Hamilton is climbing. Certainly, this week's trip to Calgary will go a long way to deciding whether the Ticats are ready to contend.

Key Injuries: WR Tiquan Underwood, DB Craig Butler, DB Johnny Sears

Coming off the bye week has the Bombers staying put at six, but opportunity knocks this week with a trip to Montreal. Riding a three-game winning streak, Winnipeg is poised to join the other contenders, a far different outlook than a month ago, when they were looking up at the rest of the league.

Key Injuries: C Jeff Keeping, CB Johnny Adams, DB Teague Sherman, WR Ryan Smith, DB Macho Harris, CB Chris Randle, WR Weston Dressler (knee), WR Darvin Adams (arm)

Right when it seems like it's fair and reasonable to dismiss the Alouettes' putrid offence, they go out and light up the Redblacks, with QB Kevin Glenn throwing as many touchdowns as incompletions -- five -- in a stunning 43-19 win at Ottawa.

Key Injuries: WR S.J. Green (knee), WR Kenny Stafford (toe), RB Tyrell Sutton (knee), C Luc Brodeur-Jourdain (knee), DT Michael Klassen (leg), DB Billy Parker

The Argos have to hope that QB Ricky Ray can return ASAP because Logan Kilgore was overwhelmed for the second straight game as Toronto lost 46-23 at home against Edmonton. Certainly, quarterback play isn't the whole story for the Argos -- the D could be much better too -- but the difference in play between Ray and Kilgore is enormous.  

Key Injuries: DT Tracy Robertson (knee), WR Tori Gurley (lower body), DB Jermaine Gabriel (neck), QB Ricky Ray (knee), WR Vidal Hazelton (ankle), G Greg Van Roten (ankle)

Outscored by 113 points in four straight losses, the Riders have a big hill to climb, and it's not made any easier when QB Darian Durant heaves four interceptions, as he did at Hamilton. If the Riders can't be saved with Durant at quartererback, it looks like it's going to be a long painful season

Key Injuries:  DE Eric Norwood (knee), G Chris Best, T Xavier Fulton, C Dan Clark, RB Curtis Steele, G Brendon Labatte (head)