Three Stars: Brandon Smith, Adarius Bowman and Sean Whyte star in Week Seventeen

Welcome to another edition of the Three Stars, our regular look at each week's top performers on offence, defence and special teams. This time, we're examining the top showings from Week Seventeen's games.

First star/defensive player of the week: Brandon Smith, defensive back, Calgary Stampeders: Smith turned in a remarkable showing in Calgary's 27-15 win over the Toronto Argonauts in Hamilton Saturday, picking off Toronto quarterback Trevor Harris twice and adding five defensive tackles. The Sacramento State product hasn't put up huge interception stats this season, as these were just his second and third picks on the year, but he's done well in coverage and also has 56 defensive tackles on the year, and he stepped up at key times Saturday. Calgary coach and general manager John Hufnagel knows what he has in Smith, who arrived the same year he did (in 2008) and has been there ever since. Smith earned his first league all-star nod last season after leading the team with 85 tackles (third in the league), and if he keeps playing well, he may get another selection this year.

(Honourable mentions: Courtney Stephen, DB, Hamilton; Jovon Johnson, DB, Ottawa; Alex Hoffman-Ellis, LB, B.C.)

Second star/offensive player of the week: Adarius Bowman, slotback, Edmonton Eskimos: Bowman had a phenomenal game against B.C. Saturday night, catching 11 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, including a 69-yard grab. He was a big part of the Eskimos' 26-23 double-overtime win. The Oklahoma State alum has been critical to Edmonton's offence all season, catching 79 passes for 1,084 yards (second in the league) and six touchdowns. That's building on a great 2014 campaign where he hauled in 112 passes for a CFL-high 1,456 yards, plus six touchdowns, and was the Eskimos' nominee for Most Outstanding Player. Bowman's always had great talent, but the last couple of seasons have really shown what he can do if he stays healthy and is heavily-featured. He'll be key to Edmonton's stretch run and postseason success.

(Honourable mentions: Henry Burris, QB, Ottawa; Bo Levi Mitchell, QB, Calgary; Chris Williams, WR, Ottawa.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Sean Whyte, kicker, Edmonton Eskimos: The Eskimos only signed Whyte in early September, almost a month after Montreal released him, but he's quickly become critical to their success, especially with their offence's recent red-zone struggles. Whyte made all three of his field goals, including a 53-yarder as time expired, in a 24-23 win over Winnipeg two weeks ago, then made both of his attempts in last week's 15-11 win over Calgary and hit six of seven against B.C. Saturday, including game-tying and game-winning field goals. Throw in the convert he made, and he scored 19 of Edmonton's 26 points. It was a great performance from the White Rock, B.C. native and Santa Monica product against the team that brought him into the CFL, and it continued his 90 per cent success rate on the season.

(Honourable mentions: James Yurichuk, LB/ST, Toronto; Justin Medlock, P/K, Hamilton; Rob Maver, P, Calgary.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Courtney Stephen, defensive back, Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Stephen continued his strong season Sunday against Montreal, notching an interception and a forced fumble. On the season, the Northern Illinois product has four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and 37 defensive tackles. He's in his third CFL season, and has become an essential component in Hamilton's defence.

(Honourable mentions: Sean Whyte, K, Edmonton; James Yurichuk, LB/ST, Toronto; Rob Maver, P, Calgary.)

Keep an eye on 55-Yard Line for next week's Three Stars, and if you'd like to nominate a candidate during the week's games, contact me via Twitter or e-mail. Thanks for reading!