Stamps stay on top of CFL Power Rankings

It's a shame that the Stampeders felt the need to rest QB Bo Levi Mitchell for the game at Montreal, because it would have really been an amazing feat to lose just once (by two points!) in an 18-game regular season, but if sitting out the loss to the Alouettes means that Mitchell is healthy and rested for the postseason, that is taking a big picture approach. 

Key Injuries: C Pierre Lavertu (neck), WR Bakari Grant (knee).

The Lions took care of business in Saskatchewan and are looking like the top challenger to the Stampeders. QB Jonathon Jennings is up to 4,919 passing yards on the season and the Lions offence is finishing strong. RB Jeremiah Johnson has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games, and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry for the season, to provide a complement to the Lions' passing attack

Key Injuries:  DB T.J. Lee (Achilles), WR Nick Moore (knee), DB Steven Clarke (knee), DE Jabar Westerman (lower leg).

A quality win at Hamilton keeps the Eskimos in the hunt, but that feeling comes and goes from week to week. QB Mike Reilly leads the league with 5,554 passing yards, with two top receivers -- Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker -- and RB John White has picked up the pace, gaining 671 yards, and scoring five touchdowns, in the past four games. 

Key Injuries: G Danny Groulx, T Tony Washington, SB Cory Watson.

Falling flat at home against Ottawa is not an ideal late-season result, and the turnover worm is starting to turn, as QB Matt Nichols has thrown five interceptions in the past two games, after throwing three in his first dozen games this season. 

Key Injuries:  C Jeff Keeping, WR Ryan Smith, CB Chris Randle, T Patrick Neufeld, DB Macho Harris, DB C.J. Roberts, DB Brendan Morgan

Ottawa's offence continues to roll, even with their number one receiver on the shelf, so credit QB Henry Burris, who has simply thrown for 1,149 yards in three games since reclaiming the starter's job. Mix in RB Mossis Madu, who has continued to get better as he gets more games under his belt (great place to keep them, by the way).  

Key Injuries: RB William Powell (Achilles), DE Aston Whiteside (knee), WR Chris Williams (knee), T SirVincent Rogers (ankle), DL Landon Cohen, DB John Boyett.

Rallied late to make the final score more respectable against Edmonton, but the Tiger-Cats were down 29-11 early in the fourth before starting their too little, too late comeback attempt. With injuries hitting the receiving corps, RB C.J. Gable stepped forward, gaining 143 yards and a touchdown on just 15 touches.

Key Injuries: DB Craig Butler, DB Johnny Sears, CB Demond Washington, SB Chad Owens, WR Luke Tasker, T Jeremy Lewis, WR Brandon Banks (suspension).

Back-to-back losses halt the upward momentum that the Riders had been building -- at least relative momentum when it comes to a 5-win team -- and they have a ton of injuries, but it probably paints a more accurate picture of how disappointing this season has been. 

Key Injuries:  DB Justin Cox, LB Greg Jones, RB Joe McKnight, WR Shamawd Chambers, G Brendon Labatte, DE Eric Norwood, WR Naaman Roosevelt.

The Alouettes earning a win against Calgary, even if it was a bunch of second-string Stampeders, is a somewhat positive development in the midst of a miserble finish. Rookie QB Vernon Adams Jr. completed 11 of 14 passes for 106 yards before getting hurt and Rakeem Cato picked up the baton and finished the upset. It was a nice game for former Stampeder Nik Lewis, who caught eight passes for 94 yards.

Key Injuries: WR S.J. Green (knee), DT Michael Klassen (leg), RB Tyrell Sutton (ribs), CB Greg Henderson, CB Ethan Davis, DB Billy Parker.

Even if it appears that QB Ricky Ray is nearing the end of the line, the 37-year-old has easily been the Argos' best quarterback this season, which is not the ideal situation for a team that needs to do some significant restructuring in the offseason.

Key Injuries: DT Tracy Robertson (knee), DB Jermaine Gabriel (neck), G Greg Van Roten (ankle), T Josh Bourke, DE Ricky Foley (foot).