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CFL Week 5 power rankings

Jonathan Hamelin • August 4, 2010 • Comments (0)

1) Montreal Alouettes (4-1-0; LW: 1; Defeated Toronto 41-10 in Week 5)

With both Montreal and Toronto entering their matchup 3-1-0, the winner would sit in first in the East Division. After trouncing the Argonauts by more than 30 points, it is clear Montreal belongs on top. Running back Avon Cobourne finally had a breakout game, rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns while earning over 100 receiving yards. With their offence playing well, especially in the second half, Montreal’s defence didn’t have to do much. They held Toronto’s explosive running back Cory Boyd to only 53 yards rushing and held quarterback Cleo Lemon under 150 yards and less than a 50% completion percentage.

2) Calgary Stampeders (4-1-0; LW: 2; Defeated Winnipeg 23-20 in Week 5)

It was not the prettiest win for Calgary, but they managed to stave off the Bombers. Calgary struggled in the running game, but Henry Burris was solid. After throwing eight interceptions in the four previous weeks, Burris threw for 340 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions against Winnipeg. With slotback Ken-Yon Rambo back in the fold, the Stampeders are set on offence. Still, Calgary has not really played up to their potential consistently this season.

3) Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-1-0; LW: 3; Defeated Hamilton 37-24 in Week 5)

The Riders are winning ball games, but it isn’t pretty. Saskatchewan was forced to attempt seven field goals in their game against Hamilton as the offence stalled. Perhaps the biggest concern for the Riders is their pass defence, which gave up 425 passing yards against the Tiger-Cats, including 272 yards to Arland Bruce III. A game in Montreal this week will reveal if Saskatchewan are contenders or pretenders.

4) Toronto Argonauts (3-2-0; LW: 4; Lost to Montreal 41-10 in Week 5)

Toronto got a big wakeup call in Montreal last week. The offence struggled to move the ball and the defence was shredded. The Argonauts have been winning games this season by keeping the score close and stealing the game away in the fourth quarter. But, if teams start building big leads on Toronto, their offence is going to need to improve fast.

5) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-3-0; LW: 5; Lost 23-20 to Calgary in Week 5)

The Bombers didn’t get the win in Week 5, but at least Steven Jyles continues to be a solid quarterback for them while Buck Pierce is injured. He was 17/30 for 227 yards and one touchdown. Winnipeg’s run defence has been solid lately, as they have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in three weeks. The Bombers are slowly putting the pieces together to be a contender.

6) Edmonton Eskimos (1-4-0; LW: 8; Defeated British Columbia 28-25 in Week 5)

The Eskimos finally got a W. After playing fairly solid football for the first four weeks of the season, it was long overdue. All of Edmonton’s star players, quarterback Ricky Ray, running back Arkee Whitlock and receiver’s Fred Stamps and Kelly Campbell, stepped up for Edmonton. The Eskimos clearly have the talent on their roster, but can they build upon their first win or will they revert to their old ways?

7) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-4-0; LW: 7; Lost 37-24 to Saskatchewan in Week 5)

The Tiger-Cats are really struggling. They failed to beat a Saskatchewan squad who played a terrible game against them. DeAndra’ Cobb just isn’t the same running back as last year and Hamilton’s talented front seven isn’t stopping team’s from putting up a lot of points against them. If Hamilton doesn’t start winning soon they are going to be in for a long season.

8) British Columbia Lions (1-4-0; LW: 6; Lost 28-25 to Edmonton in Week 5)

Travis Lulay is struggling at the quarterback position. He only threw for 134 yards in BC’s loss to Edmonton with two interceptions. Even if Casey Printers comes back for BC, it is hard to see them improving much this season. With slotback Paris Jackson’s struggles and the horrid run defence on the Lions, BC is going to have a hard time clawing their way back in the West Division.

Biggest Rise: Edmonton +2

Biggest Drop: British Columbia -2

About the Author

An aspiring journalist who has a freelance contract with the Regina Leader-Post and is a veteran online CFL columnist. Hamelin currently attends the University of Regina and is enrolled in the pre-journalism program. After this year, he will apply for the school of journalism. Hamelin has had work published in his highschool paper, university paper, Regina's paper and a number of online sites. For a look at all of his work, visit http://jonathansjournalismportfolio.webs.com/

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