CFL PRI Week 3

And it's time yet again for the Power Rated Sports CFL PRI for the third week of the 2011 season. No changes at the top, but it got much closer this week, and only a single point separates the top two teams this week. Let's take a look at how they fall in our Power Ratings Index after the third week of play was concluded.

1. Edmonton Eskimos (3-0, 651 points)
Last Week: Defeated BC Lions 33-17
Points Gained: 199
Ricky Ray had yet another laser like game, as he completed 24/33 passes for 320 yards and 2 scores. Fred Stamps caught 7 passes, while Daniel Porter rushed for a score and caught a TD pass. Edmonton has set themselves up early as the team to beat in the west. The Esks picked off BC QB Travis Lulay twice and forced a fumble.
Next Week: @ Calgary


2. Montreal Alouettes (3-0, 650 points)
Last Week: Defeated Toronto 40-17
Points Gained: 213
Anthony Calvillo broke the CFL record for career TD passes, and he tossed 2 on the game to knock off struggling Toronto at home. Calvillo passed for 307 yards and 2 scores, but was picked once. The real star to the game was RB Brandon Whitaker, who rushed for 120 yards and a score, while catching 11 passes for 94 yards on the night. Again, Whitaker is making Als fans forget all about Avon Colbourne for now.
Next Week: Saskatchewan


3. Calgary Stampeders (2-1, 277 points)
Last Week: Defeated Winnipeg 21-20
Points Gained: 222
The Stamps trailed the Bombers 20-10 going into the 4th and pulled off a miraculous comeback on the road. The Stamps are yet to be in the class of Edmonton and Montreal as of now, but they have now won 2 straight and are trying to get on track. This win was huge, and shows the Stampeders to be fighters, as they could easily have laid down and died this early in the season. Kenyon Rambo, who has been banged up, caught 6 passes in this game, showing himself to be mending. They are looking a bit dangerous right now, but have a huge showdown coming up.
Next Week: Edmonton


Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-1, 229 points)
Last Week: Lost to Calgary 21-20
Points Lost: -181
The Bombers had it in the bag going into the 4th, but blew a 20-10 lead. They have now also lost their top two QBs to injury in Buck Pierce and Joey Elliott. Elliott's season has ended with an ACL tear, while Pierce is still able to come back at some point. Neither were outstanding before getting hurt. Justin Palardy missed two FGs, either of which would have won the game for the Bombers.
Next Week: @ Toronto


5. Toronto Argonauts (1-2, -71 points)
Last Week: Lost to Montreal 40-17
Points Lost: -156
Cleo Lemon tossed a pick and fumbled the ball away in another lackluster game that has some Argo fans calmmoring for the Bell to be rung in Dalton Bell. Lemon did complete 19/30 passes on the night for 235 yards, but he doesn't seem to have any control over the offense at this point. Don't blame DE Ricky Foley, however, as he collected 8 tackles and picked off Anthony Calvillo.
Next Week: Winnipeg


6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-2, -162 points)
Last Week: Defeated Saskatchewan 33-3
Points Gained: 213
Welcome back to the race, Hamilton. OK, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but the Cats made a huge leap by hammering on the pathetic Riders. This was an early season saving win, as Kevin Glenn passed for 203 yards and a pair of scores, and the defense picked off Darien Durant 3 times, while not allowing a completed pass until the second quarter. Impressive.
Next Week: @ BC Lions


7. BC Lions (0-3, -447 points)
Last Week: Lost to Edmonton 33-17
Points Lost: -149
Things are getting panicky in Vancouver, as the Lions have lost their first three games. The first two losses were by a combined 6 points, so it seemed that improvement was right around the bend, but this loss was by 16, and there seemed to be a regression. Travis Lulay was a man on an island, and only Geroy Robinson came to his aide on offense. Someone else has to step up. On defense, the Lions have given up 30 or more points in each loss so far. Coincidence?
Next Week: Hamilton


8. Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-3, -527 points)
Last Week: Lost to Hamilton 33-3
Points Lost: -177
The Wheels have completely fallen off of the wagon. The Riders are in total disarray at this point, and there is nowhere to go but up. Darien Durant may have lost the QB job after being picked 3 times, and he was pulled for Ryan Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie didn't light it up either, but at least he held onto the football. Should be an open compettiton this week, and jobs are on the line on the coaching staff as well.
Next Week: @ Montreal

Week 3 Offensive MVP: Brandon Whitaker, Montreal
Week 3 Defensive MVP: Ricky Foley, Toronto
Week 3 Special Teams MVP: Sean Whyte, Montreal