The Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions advanced in the CFL playoffs this past weekend, eliminating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders in the process. The league moved the East and West Semi-Finals from Sunday to Saturday this season and the games were entertaining with relatively large crowds on-hand for both.
These awards are selected by a panel of 3DownNation contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2023 season. Enjoy.
Offensive player of the week: QB Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions
The veteran had never won a playoff game as a starter prior to Saturday but dominated the Calgary Stampeders, completing 28-of-39 pass attempts for 413 yards and two touchdowns along with seven carries for 54 yards and three touchdowns. It was one of the best individual performances in the recent history of the CFL postseason and should provide Lions fans with hope that the club can go into hostile territory at IG Field in the West Final and potentially secure a win.
Honourable mention: REC Keon Hatcher, B.C. Lions
Defensive player of the week: LB Darnell Sankey, Montreal Alouettes
The 29-year-old was a late addition for the Alouettes this season following a stint in the XFL, yet he was arguably the best player on the field in the East Semi-Final. Sankey recorded eight tackles, two sacks, one interception, and one pass knockdown, helping limit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to 12 points and 259 yards of net offence. The Toronto Argonauts have an excellent offence but they’ll have to game-plan for the veteran linebacker this weekend when they host the East Final.
Honourable mention: DL Shawn Lemon, Montreal Alouettes
Special teams player of the week: K Rene Paredes, Calgary Stampeders
The 38-year-old made all five of his field goal attempts in the West Semi-Final, hitting kicks from distances of 27, 34, 38, 42, and 47 yards out. There was speculation that this may have been the 12-year veteran’s final CFL game, though he’s since indicated that he plans to be back for another year in 2024. Considering he’s still at the top of his game, it’s not a surprise that he’s coming back for another season.
Honourable mention: LB Alexandre Gagné, Montreal Alouettes
Breakout player of the week: REC Jake Harty, Montreal Alouettes
This award is typically reserved for young, inexperienced players but the 32-year-old receiver earned it after recording three catches for 31 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the East Semi-Final. Harty has been in the league since 2015 but has suffered two ACL tears, leading him to briefly leave the game to pursue coaching. The Calgary product has scored only one career regular-season touchdown but rose to the occasion when it mattered most, helping lift the Alouettes to a postseason win.
Honourable mention: DL Josh Archibald, B.C. Lions
Offensive line of the week: Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders have plenty of questions to answer this off-season following another first-round playoff exit, though the club’s offensive line had a solid outing against a talented B.C. defensive front. The unit of D’Antne Demery, Zack Williams, Sean McEwen, Ryan Sceviour, and Bryce Bell allowed only one sack and helped Ka’Deem Carey rush for 75 yards. Bell even caught a 12-yard pass, helping gain a key first down late in the first half.
Honourable mention: B.C. Lions
Coach of the week: OC Jordan Maksymic, B.C. Lions
The Lions had a bye in the final week of the regular season and Maksymic used it to his advantage, scheming up all kinds of ways to punch holes in a respectable Calgary defence. The result was a stellar performance that saw the offence record 41 points and 482 net yards and convert 16-of-23 second downs. The unit might have a tough time throwing the ball in the cold and wind in the West Final, but they were virtually unstoppable in the dome at BC Place Stadium.
Honourable mention: DC Noel Thorpe, Montreal Alouettes
Best play of the week: QB Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions
V.A. had a number of plays that were worthy of consideration for this honour, though we went with this incredible 24-yard scramble that gave B.C. a first down after a holding penalty backed the offence up ten yards. Adams moved up in the pocket to avoid Derek Wiggan and made a hard-step in the open field to make Adarius Taylor look silly. Finally, he outran Silas Stewart to complete the play with a slide, which set up a 17-yard field goal from Sean Whyte.
Vernon Adams Jr. is killing Calgary with his 👟👟 #BCLions #Vancouver #Stamps #CFLpic.twitter.com/w2LONI6DLf
— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) November 5, 2023
Honourable mention: DB Richard Leonard, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Worst play of the week: LB Chris Edwards, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The veteran defender added to his long list of well-documented idiocy in the final minute of the East Semi-Final as he threw Jake Harty to the ground and punched him in the head. Edwards, who was assessed a maximum fine earlier this season for punching Montreal receiver Austin Mack, was ejected from the game and seemed content to have wreaked havoc once the game was decided. This isn’t the first Edwards has acted like a complete fool. Hopefully, it’s the last.
Honourable mention: the collision between Peyton Logan and Jack Hinsperger
Best of the week: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions
The performance of Vernon Adams Jr. was enough on its own to make this a must-watch game, though Calgary’s offence was surprisingly effective. Jake Maier threw for 304 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, while Ka’Deem Carey ripped off a few solid gains along the ground. The result of this contest never really felt in doubt but it was a classic, high-scoring CFL playoff game that’s sure to have drawn a large audience on television.
Best of the week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Montreal Alouettes
Montreal remained consistent in this one, using an opportunistic, low-risk game plan to defeat an inferior opponent. The club’s offence recorded only 354 net yards but scored seven points off turnovers as the defence dominated, generating three takeaways and allowing only 12 points. This was still a one-score game as late as the mid-fourth quarter, though the poor performance of Hamilton’s sputtering offence prevented this game from being top-notch entertainment.
