There's a new number one team in the TSN.ca CFL Power Rankings, the Toronto Argonauts pulling ahead of the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos.
The Argos haven't had a game at home yet, and are still 3-1 thanks to the surprisingly effective play of quarterback Trevor Harris. It's not as though the Argonauts are dominant, but no team in the league qualifies as dominant. The Stampeders have the highest upside, but have been stumbling through the first five weeks, and Edmonton is coming off an impressive win, but comes out of that victory with questions at quarterback.
Falling, after their loss in Edmonton, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers slide from six to eight, both because they lost a lopsided game, but also because quarterback Drew Willy was hurt and the Bombers haven't been the same when Willy has been unable to play.
Toronto Argonauts
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 1 | Record: 3-2
-
PF
136
-
PA
137
-
DIFF
-1
-
YDS/GP
390.2
-
YDSA/GP
355.2
The Argos' road tour ends as they return home to face Saskatchewan, and none too soon after last week's loss in Hamilton. QB Trevor Harris is still moving the ball and they are averaging a league-best 313 passing yards per game, but despite outgaining the TiCats by 145 yards, the Argos weren't even close.
Key Injuries: QB Ricky Ray (shoulder), SB Andre Durie (knee).
Edmonton Eskimos
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 3 | Record: 4-1
-
PF
142
-
PA
63
-
DIFF
+79
-
YDS/GP
351.4
-
YDSA/GP
300.0
Until teams show they can score on the Eskimos -- since their Week One loss to Toronto, they've given up 37 points in four games -- they get to try out top spot in the rankings. Having QB Matt Nichols deliver a big game against Saskatchewan inspires added confidence in Edmonton's ability to move the ball.
Key Injuries: RB John White (Achilles), G Simeon Rottier (knee), WR Shamawd Chambers (knee), QB Mike Reilly (knee), G Greg Wojt (concussion).
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 5 | Record: 3-2
-
PF
153
-
PA
106
-
DIFF
+47
-
YDS/GP
382.8
-
YDSA/GP
343.2
Hamilton's impressive win over Toronto had to come at a price, because the Tiger-Cats have been clawing through injury problems all season, and losing RB C.J. Gable and WR Andy Fantuz does pose some challenges. Given the depth of Hamilton's receiving corps, the bigger hole to fill is in the backfield, where they haven't had muc consistency this season.
Key Injuries: DT Brian Bulcke (knee), DT Linden Gaydosh (Achilles), DE Eric Norwood (lower body), RB C.J. Gable (elbow), WR Andy Fantuz (arm).
Montreal Alouettes
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 6 | Record: 2-3
-
PF
107
-
PA
94
-
DIFF
+13
-
YDS/GP
354.0
-
YDSA/GP
371.2
While they lost in Calgary, the Alouettes put up a good fight and rookie QB Rakeem Cato continues to show that he can play at this level. The more pressing issue is that RB Tyrell Sutton, who ranks second in the league with 357 rushing yards, suffered a knee injury, which further limits Cato's offensive options.
Key Injuries: WR Eric Deslauriers (finger), DB Andrew Lue (hamstring), DE Aaron Lavarias (arm), WR James Rodgers (undisclosed), QB Dan LeFevour (shoulder), QB Jonathan Crompton (shoulder), LB Kyries Hebert (ankle), LB Bear Woods (pectoral), RB Tyrell Sutton (knee).
Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca