CFL Preview - Hamilton (6-7) at Toronto (5-8) (ET)

GAME NOTES: Hamilton takes aim at a .500 record this week, as the Tiger-Cats go up against the Toronto Argonauts at the Rogers Centre.

Despite being just 6-7 entering Week 16 action, the Ticats are all alone at the top of the East Division standings, two points ahead of both Montreal and Toronto. Following a very shaky start to the 2014 campaign, Hamilton has now won four in a row and five of the last six outings, thanks to a come-from- behind 19-17 victory over British Columbia last weekend.

Kicker Justin Medlock played the hero for Hamilton as he booted five field goals, including an eight-yard effort in the final minutes of regulation to bring the hosts back for the thrilling win, the fourth in as many opportunities at the new Tim Hortons Field.

Hamilton quarterback Zach Collaros converted 27-of-43 passes for 367 yards and was intercepted once as the team was kept out of the end zone, but still came out on top, thanks in part to a pair of two-point plays from BC kicker Ricky Schmitt who conceded in his own end zone.

The 'Cats managed to roll up 429 yards of total offense in the meeting, but were stymied by 12 penalties that cost them 128 yards of field position. On the other side of the ball, Hamilton limited the visitors to just 239 yards.

While the Tiger-Cats are in the driver's seat in the division at the moment, the Argos have a chance to cause a bit of a log jam in the standings if all goes to play this week. Despite having to deal with some crucial injuries throughout the campaign, Toronto is still within striking distance of securing a playoff berth as it attempts to put together a three-game win streak for the first time this season.

Unlike the Tiger-Cats who had to fight their way back versus the Lions, Toronto was the hunted as Edmonton tried to complete a comeback bid last Saturday, but came up short in a 33-32 final. Ricky Ray converted 22-of-33 passes for 224 yards and two scores, as well as one interception, while Chad Owens continued to prove his value to the club with nine catches for 106 yards and both majors through the air.

As was the case with Hamilton, the Argos also leaned heavily on their kicker as Swayze Waters knocked through all but one of his seven field goal tries, finishing with 21 points all on his own.

Toronto did surrender 330 yards of offense to the Eskimos, but the visitors severely diminished their chances at a victory by being flagged a staggering 18 times for an incredible 224 yards.

In typical Ray fashion, he has completed 68.1 percent of his passes for 3,430 yards and is by far the most accomplished signal caller this season in terms of passing touchdowns with 24. Because of countless injuries and changes in depth charts for other teams, no other quarterback has more than 17 TDs at this juncture.

However, in order to give Ray plenty of opportunities to find teammates in or around the goal line this season, the Argos have had to almost give up on their attempts to find a running back who can consistently reach the end zone. Granted, Curtis Steele has run 78 times for 493 yards and four touchdowns, but beyond him Toronto has just one other rushing TD.

Over on the other side, Hamilton has been one of those teams playing musical quarterback this season, although Collaros seems to be giving the squad some measure of stability. However, while the youngster has completed 66.5 percent of his attempts, his seven majors are nearly matched by his six INTs.

On a more positive note, as a group the Hamilton signal callers are tied for third in the league in passing yards to this point with 3,590, matching the effort of Toronto ironically enough. But a slight caveat to that effort shows Hamilton with just 12 aerial scores, half the number of Ray and the Argos, while being picked off 13 times.

The clubs collided back in Week 10 in Hamilton where the home team squeezed out a 13-12 victory, despite being held scoreless for the second half. Medlock connected on a pair of field goals in that meeting and Collaros hooked up with Bakari Grant on a nine-yard major in the second quarter, the quarterback hitting on 27-of-38 passes for 317 yards.

Ray, who was sacked four time and intercepted once, had a mere 16 completions for 142 yards and a score. The running game for the Argos was limited to 35 yards on eight attempts.

With the win, Hamilton's advantage in the all-time series moved to 126-91-2, considering only regular-season matchups dating back to 1950. The 'Cats have won three straight over Toronto.

The teams will be right back here in Toronto for their third and final regular-season meeting 15 days from now, a game that could have serious playoff implications.

Thanks to having one of the most stabilizing forces in the league in Ray, Toronto has put itself in a position to come out on top this week. It certainly doesn't hurt that Ray and the Argos have the luxury of seeing Owens back in the lineup either.