Stampeders return to No. 1 in CFL Power Rankings

The Stampeders return to the top of the rankings after a comfortable victory at Winnipeg. Losing WR Joe West last week is another ding for the receiving corps, but Anthony Parker has stepped up, catching 13 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown over the past two games.

Key Injuries: DT Quinn Smith (arm), DT Junior Turner (shoulder), DT Frank Beltre (foot), LB Glenn Love (shoulder), WR Joe West (ankle)

Losing at home to Hamilton is not a reason to climb in the rankings, yet somehow the Eskimos do this week. The real reason for it is that, despite their defensive shortcomings, it's still easy to get onside with QB Mike Reilly, who is averaging 395 passing yards per game. Well that, and Reilly is healthy, which is notable in the league these days.

Key Injuries: DB John Ojo (Achilles), DT Don Oramasionwu (triceps)

Losing by one at Saskatchewan isn't nearly as problematic as it is for the Redblacks to be down to their third-string quarterback after Trevor Harris was injured early against the Roughriders. Brock Jensen was impressive in relief, completing 69.0% of his passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, but it's not unreasonable to think that the Redblacks are worse with Henry Burris and Trevor Harris unavailable.

Key Injuries: RB William Powell (Achilles), RB Travon Van (knee), QB Henry Burris (finger), QB Trevor Harris (knee), DB Jonathan Rose

A bye week wasn't bad at all for the Lions, because they didn't lose a quarterback, and they could use the extra week to prepare for this week's tough matchup in Calgary.

Key Injuries:  DB T.J. Lee (Achilles), WR Nick Moore (knee)

QB Jermiah Masoli had a spectacular second half to lead the Ticats back at Edmonton, outscoring the Eskimos 31-7 in the second half. It's possible that it will be the last start of the year for the quarterback who, currently, ranks second in the league with 1,532 passing yards, but if that means getting Zach Collaros back in the lineup, then Hamilton could be poised to climb.

Key Injuries: QB Zach Collaros (knee)

Tough break for the Argos to lose ground after winning their first game at home, and it was a good win, but the drop-off from Ricky Ray to rookie Cody Fajardo at quarterback can't be ignored (though Fajardo has thrown for a four-yard touchdown on his only CFL pass).

Key Injuries: DT Tracy Robertson (knee), WR Tori Gurley (lower body), WR Kevin Elliott, DB Jermaine Gabriel (neck), QB Ricky Ray (knee)

Don't consider this a vote of confidence for the Alouettes, who have had a very difficult time putting up points, but they are holding a slight edge over the other one-win teams. Getting QB Kevin Glenn back under centre helped, or does for as long as he manages to stay there.

Key Injuries: WR S.J. Green (knee), WR Kenny Stafford (toe), RB Tyrell Sutton)

The Roughriders earned their first win of the season, against the previously top-ranked Redblacks, and the most positive development may have been that QB Mitchell Gale held his own. Having a threat like Naaman Roosevelt doesn't hurt.

Key Injuries:  DE Eric Norwood (knee), G Chris Best, QB Darian Durant (ankle), WR Shamawd Chambers, 

It's understandable that the Blue Bombers are looking to make a change, after their early struggles, but is there really a reason to expect QB Matt Nichols to be demonstrably better than Drew Willy? Willy hasn't been great, to be sure, but the change at quarterback doesn't necessarily address their woes.

Key Injuries: C Jeff Keeping, CB Johnny Adams, DB Bruce Johnson, LB Sam Hurl, DB Teague Sherman, WR Ryan Smith, DB Macho Harris, CB Chris Randle