Tiger-Cats take top spot in CFL Rankings

Got DE Eric Norwood back from injury and laid some smack down on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Their strong point differential -- and a record that includes a one-point loss at Calgary in the opener -- is enough for Hamilton to take over as the top-ranked team. Careful what you wish for, however; the number one team has lost in each of the last three weeks.

Key Injuries: DT Brian Bulcke (knee), DT Linden Gaydosh (Achilles), RB C.J. Gable (elbow), WR Andy Fantuz (arm).

Amidst the chaos, the Stampeders hold steady through their bye week, but they had better find a way to start producing results. They haven't won a game by more than five points and all of the bounces needed to win close games can easily go the other way.

Key Injuries: DT Corey Mace (foot), T Dan Federkeil (leg), T Edwin Harrison (leg), RB Jon Cornish (thumb).

It's not as though the Eskimos were beaten badly in B.C., but they were beaten and couldn't stop the Lions' one offensive threat, RB Andrew Harris. That may not be much help to other teams, though, since they won't have a back with Harris' skills to counter the Edmonton defence.

Key Injuries: RB John White (Achilles), G Simeon Rottier (knee), WR Shamawd Chambers (knee), QB Mike Reilly (knee), G Greg Wojt (concussion).

It required a fourth-quarter comeback, at home against a winless team, but the Argos won their home opener. QB Trevor Harris continues to lead, and the offence got a little spark with the addition of WR Diontate Spencer.

Key Injuries: QB Ricky Ray (shoulder), SB Andre Durie (knee), WR Chad Owens (ankle).

Still waiting on the Lions passing game to really get in gear, but it's nice to have RB Andrew Harris around the carry the mail, and lead the Lions to victory against the league's best defence.

Key Injuries:  WR Lavelle Hawkins (arm).

The RedBlacks have already doubled last season's win total and QB Henry Burris has elevated his play which, coupled with a sturdy defence, gives Ottawa a chance to be competitive.

Key Injuries: WR Marcus Henry (undisclosed), MLB Travis Brown (shoulder).

The Alouettes came up short in Ottawa, but QB Rakeem Cato threw for 303 yards and replacement RB Brandon Rutley busted out for 123 yards from scrimmage. Given their injuries, the Als are still a decent team, but probably need to get healthy if they are going to make significant gains.

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).

After a few close calls with injuries early in the season, QB Drew Willy couldn't avoid it any longer after suffering a broken leg and torn ligaments around his knee. Brian Brohm is next in line for the Bombers, but hasn't done much in his CFL career to this point (0 TD, 5 INT in 121 pass attempts) to suggest that Winnipeg will be just fine with the QB exchange.

Key Injuries:  QB Drew Willy (knee), RB Paris Cotton (arm), WR Darvin Adams (upper body).

Stop me if you've heard this one before (including from me): the Riders really aren't that bad. Third-string QB Brett Smith played a decent game and gave them a chance to win at Toronto but, as it has been all year for Saskatchewan, they were just good enough to lose a close game.

Key Injuries:  QB Darian Durant (Achilles), ILB Shea Emry (neck), QB Kevin Glenn (shoulder).