POWER RANKINGS WEEK 5
1 (2) EDMONTON
The Eskimos (3-0) are the CFL’s only remaining undefeated team thanks to Calgary’s 30-23 loss in Montreal last Friday. Most impressive is the manner in which the Eskimos have persevered despite season-ending injuries to middle linebacker J.C. Sherritt and tailback John White.
2 (3) B.C.
The Lions (3-1-0) are starting to live up to the pre-season praise, having rattled off three consecutive victories — all on the road. Oddly enough, the Lions are winless at B.C. Place (having lost their season opener). The Lions won 41-26 in Hamilton on Saturday even though starting quarterback Jonathon Jennings was quickly shelved with a shoulder injury. Travis Lulay proceeded to throw for 436 yards — a CFL single-game record for a quarterback who did not start the game.
3 (1) CALGARY
The Stampeders are coming off a disappointing outing in last week’s 3023 road loss to a Montreal team that had been struggling on offence. The Alouettes came to life in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Stampeders 14-3. The Als’ pass rush created issues for the Stampeders, who also struggled in the red zone. The suspicion here is this will be Calgary’s only No. 3 ranking all season.
4 (6) WINNIPEG
The Bombers ascend two spots in the rankings after last Thursday’s 33-25 victory over the visitors from Toronto. A key factor was the play of slotback Weston Dressler, who had 109 of Winnipeg’s 245 passing yards. Dressler, 32, has 309 receiving yards in three games this season.
5 (4) TORONTO
Although the Argos are led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Ricky Ray, the player to watch of late is fivefoot-six returner Martese Jackson. Last week, Jackson had a 78-yard punt-return touchdown, and his score on a kickoff return was negated by a penalty call. The call was so cheesy that it should have been presented by Kraft.
6 (7) MONTREAL
The Alouettes made a statement Friday by riding an impressive fourth quarter to a victory over Calgary. Quarterback Darian Durant threw two early interceptions, leaving the critics howling, but he delivered when the game was in its most important stages. Never count him out.
7 (8) SASKATCHEWAN
The Roughriders move up one spot simply because they have a victory. That isn’t the ultimate achievement, but it is enough to allow the Green and White to leapfrog a snake-bitten Ottawa squad that surprisingly has yet to register a victory. Saskatchewan is coming off a bye week and preparing for Saturday’s barometer game in Calgary.
8 (5) OTTAWA
The Redblacks are winless (three losses, one tie), an eyebrow-raising position for a defending champion. Ottawa’s three losses have been by a combined seven points. But until the Redblacks start winning, they will be flirting with the basement in the power rankings.
9 (9) HAMILTON
Well, at least the Tiger-Cats are consistent. They are seemingly entrenched as the No. 9 team. This was not envisioned by a certain power ranker who predicted, as the regular season loomed, that Hamilton would dominate the East Division. Is it too late for a retraction?