EDMONTON -- A successful fake punt that led to one touchdown, followed 78 seconds later by a Tristan Jackson punt-return touchdown, sparked the Edmonton Eskimos to a crucial 36-22 CFL victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium.

Many in Saskatchewan believe receiver Weston Dressler is a shoo-in for rookie of the year, but Eskimos returner Tristan Jackson has made more of an impact ...

Tristan Jackson of the Edmonton Eskimos captured special-teams honours. Jackson returned eight punts for 101 yards, including one 67 yards for a touchdown, in a 36-22 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Jackson was a unanimous selection.

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Special mention: Edmonton defensive back/kick returner Tristan Jackson had a busy evening. When he wasn't giving his teammates good field position with some excellent returns he was doing double duty as the Esks' sixth defensive back in passing situations. In that role he picked off Buck Pierce for Edmonton's only interception of the contest. The pick led to an Edmonton field goal . . .

Each team is making a legitimate case for their player.

Here are the arguments from each dressing room.

Tristan Jackson

The case being built in the Eskimos' compound for why return specialist Jackson is the top freshman in the West is rather simple.

It comes down to one question: Who do opposing coaches fear more?

Jackson's early season success - scoring two return touchdowns in the opening four weeks - made teams kick away from the rookie.

With the talent and speed to turn the momentum of a game with one return, the 22-year-old import leads the CFL in return majors (three) this year and has added another on an interception return.

"One guy can change games, I know that," said Eskimos special teams coach Noel Thorpe.

Added Edmonton receiver Kamau Peterson: "(Jackson's) impact on games has been tremendous. It is harder for him to get opportunities to show up every night, but Tristan is a game-changer."

The Central Arkansas product has 790 punt return yards (first in CFL), 24.6-yard kickoff return average (third in CFL among regular returners) and has 1,745 combined yards (sixth in CFL).

Working against Jackson in voting will be the fact he seemed to suffer a bit of a confidence problem earlier this fall when he admitted to not reading the blocks as well as before.

But a punt return touchdown against Winnipeg on Oct. 4 seemed to cure that issue.

The one statistic that might really work in his favour when the regular season ends in two weeks is his touchdown total compared to Dressler's.

While Dressler plays a much more offensive position as a main receiver with the Riders, he's only scored five majors.

Jackson has produced four TDs and another return major might give him the edge he needs with voters.

"Dressler is a viable candidate," said Edmonton head coach Danny Maciocia, "but Tristan is probably the most electric punt/kick returner out there and he can play defensive back. He can definitely change the game."

EXTRA POINT: IF THERE IS ONE POSITIVE FOR THE ESKIMOS FROM SATURDAY'S NASTY LOSS, TRISTAN JACKSON SHOWED SOME PROMISE AT RUNNING BACK, GAINING 18 YARDS ON TWO CARRIES.

A returner with break-away speed, Jackson could be a change-of-pace tailback from Calvin McCarty in the playoffs.

A third of the way into this season rookie return man Tristan Jackson looked like a lock for top rookie. With two mishandled returns in this one, he's now taken himself out of that and become one of those who has to prove he's a pro.

Tristan Jackson picked up two nominations on Tuesday, one for outstanding rookie and the other for best special-teams player.

Jackson credited the blocking he's received as the key to his numerous dashes to opposing team's end zones in his first season in the CFL.

"The guys up front have done a good job blocking all year," the 23-year-old from Beaumont, Miss., said. "(Special teams) coach (Noel) Thorpe, and all the other coaches (have helped) as well. If we can get to the Grey Cup, that'd make it really special." While all those nominated were happy to get the recognition, the talk of the locker-room continued to centre on the post-season.

Edmonton got a boost from their special teams early on, with Tristan Jackson running a missed 49-yard field goal attempt by Lions' kicker Paul McCallum 113 yards for a touchdown four minutes in.