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Aug 23, 2016

Stampeders stay strong in CFL Power Rankings

The Calgary Stampeders continue their hold atop the TSN.ca CFL Power Rankings, ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos and B.C. Lions.

Jerome Messam

The Calgary Stampeders continue their hold atop the TSN.ca MLB Power Rankings, ahead of the Edmonton Eskimos and B.C. Lions.

Following the leaders, though, there were some changes, with the Ottawa Redblacks sliding down a couple of spots, to six, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers continued to climb -- they're up to five, five weeks after they had hit rock bottom.

Heading into the second half of the season, the Stampeders are the class of the league, but there is a lot of room for change among the challengers.

 

Calgary Stampeders

This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 7-1-1

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    278
  • PA
    185
  • DIFF
    +93
  • YDS/G
    397.3
  • YDSA/G
    373.1

The wins keep piling up for the Stampeders, even if it didn't come easily against Hamilton. What's remarkable is that QB Bo Levi Mitchell keeps putting up big numbers without a marquee receiver. Against the Tiger-Cats, DeVaris Daniels had five catches for 108 yards and a touchdown, a strong follow-up to his CFL debut (4 REC, 66 YDS) the week before.

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

Edmonton Eskimos

This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2 | Record: 5-4

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    272
  • PA
    247
  • DIFF
    +25
  • YDS/G
    418.8
  • YDSA/G
    388.8

Didn't miss a beat with Shakir Bell stepping into the backfield to fill in for John White, and Bell put up 170 yards on 22 touches in a 33-25 win over Saskatchewan. The game was well in hand at the half, before the Eskimos nearly squandered the lead in the third quarter, so it wasn't a perfect performance, but wins are good.

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

B.C. Lions

This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 6-3

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    264
  • PA
    233
  • DIFF
    +31
  • YDS/G
    375.6
  • YDSA/G
    341.6

Rebounded from a tough home loss to Calgary the week before to earn an impressive 29-23 win at Ottawa. QB Jonathon Jennings was back in fine form and RB Anthony Allen delivered 87 yards on 15 touches.

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

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

This Week: 4 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 4-5

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    263
  • PA
    233
  • DIFF
    +30
  • YDS/G
    375.3
  • YDSA/G
    320.7

Sure, the Ticats lost at Calgary, but they rallied to make it close against the best team in the league. Even with a sub-.500 record, the Tiger-Cats (with Zach Collaros at QB) are probably the best the East has to offer right now.

Key Injuries: DB Craig Butler, DB Johnny Sears

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

This Week: 5 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 5-4

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    231
  • PA
    204
  • DIFF
    +27
  • YDS/G
    352.0
  • YDSA/G
    410.7

Picked up a fourth consecutive win witha 32-18 decision at Montreal, and while there are still questions to be answered, the Bombers are excelling in the takeaway game, posting a league-leading 18 interceptions while no other team has more than eight.

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)

Ottawa Redblacks

This Week: 6 | Last Week: 4 | Record: 4-4-1

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    243
  • PA
    241
  • DIFF
    +2
  • YDS/G
    429.6
  • YDSA/G
    363.2

Losing at home to B.C. is hardly the end of the world, but in the tightly-bunched middle of the rankings, it costs the Redblacks a couple of spots this week.

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

Toronto Argonauts

This Week: 7 | Last Week: 8 | Record: 4-4

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    188
  • PA
    220
  • DIFF
    -32
  • YDS/G
    325.0
  • YDSA/G
    382.8

The Argos' performance to this point has been uneven, but that's not necessarily fatal in the East. With Ricky Ray coming back, there is room to move up, but they'll need to start stringing some wins together.

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

Montreal Alouettes

This Week: 8 | Last Week: 7 | Record: 3-6

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    191
  • PA
    218
  • DIFF
    -27
  • YDS/G
    340.6
  • YDSA/G
    364.4

One week after throwing five touchdown passes, QB Kevin Glenn tossed four interceptions, and the Alouettes are finally going to have WR Duron Carter serve his one-game suspension -- for a penalty that was incurred eight weeks ago! -- so their struggling offence may continue to struggle. One bit of good news is that RB Tyrell Sutton returned to action, gaining 98 yards on 17 touches against Winnipeg.

Key Injuries: WR S.J. Green (knee), WR Duron Carter (suspension), C Luc Brodeur-Jourdain (knee), DT Michael Klassen (leg), DB Billy Parker

Saskatchewan Roughriders

This Week: 9 | Last Week: 9 | Record: 1-8

TEAM STATS

  • PF
    170
  • PA
    319
  • DIFF
    -149
  • YDS/G
    340.9
  • YDSA/G
    415.7

The Riders still lost, but probably looked a little bit better doing it at Edmonton. If we're handing out moral victories, that might qualify, but that's not yet enough improvement for the Riders to be feeling much better about the way this season is going.

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

Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca