Week 18 in the CFL has come to a close, which means it’s time to look back at the best and worst the week had to offer. With only three games to choose from — only one of which was particularly entertaining — our panel had a slightly easier time than normal making the decisions you see below.
Below we’ve recognized the best and worst performances of the week from across the country. These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2024 season. Enjoy.
Offensive player of the week: RB Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg native was a workhorse for his hometown team this past week, rushing 24 times for 147 yards and one touchdown and making one catch for 15 yards. The five-foot-ten, 222-pound ball-carrier now has 1,678 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on the season, arguably making him the front-runner to win Most Outstanding Player.
Honourable mention: REC Samuel Emilus, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Defensive player of the week: DB T.J. Lee, B.C. Lions
The five-time West Division all-star was all over the field for B.C. on Friday night, helping the Lions punch their ticket to the playoffs. The 33-year-old native of Houston, Texas finished the game with eight total tackles, one sack, one pass knockdown, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown and has proven he’s just as effective at strong-side linebacker as he was in his usual spot at boundary halfback.
Honourable mention: DL Julian Howsare, Calgary Stampeders
Special teams player of the week: K Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions
The new father was perfect this past week, going six-for-six on his field goal attempts — two of which came from beyond 40 yards — and two-for-two on his converts. The 38-year-old native of White Rock, B.C. has now made 94.1 percent of his field goal attempts this season, putting him over 90 percent for the third consecutive season.
Honourable mention: P Stefan Flintoft, B.C. Lions
Breakout player of the week: DB Ben Labrosse, Calgary Stampeders
Not a lot has gone right for the Stampeders this year but Labrosse, who was taken with the team’s top pick in the 2024 CFL Draft, was arguably their best defensive player this week, making four total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass knockdown. There aren’t many Canadian players who can play cornerback or halfback but the 24-year-old native of Montreal is certainly one of them.
Honourable mention: REC Zach Mathis, Edmonton Elks
Offensive line of the week: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The unit of Stanley Bryant, Liam Dobson, Chris Kolankowski, Patrick Neufeld, and Eric Lofton dominated the line of scrimmage against Hamilton, helping Brady Oliveira rush for 147 yards and one touchdown, Terry Wilson record two scores on goal line plunges, and allowing only one sack. After a slow start to the season, Winnipeg’s offensive line is on a roll once again.
Honourable mention: Calgary Stampeders
Coach of the week: OLC Marty Costello, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Costello is in his seventh year as the offensive line coach in Winnipeg and has helped this year’s unit once again become one of the best in the CFL. Despite a shaky start to the season, the Blue Bombers have allowed 29 sacks this season — fourth-best in the league — and have the league’s best rushing attack. Winnipeg has won eight straight games and the offensive line is a big part of the reason why.
Honourable mention: DC Jordan Younger, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER!!!
KeeSean Johnson (@JohnsonKeesean) graduates summa cum laude from Head Top University.#CFL #Riders #RiderNation
pic.twitter.com/OceA3HQsG7— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) October 6, 2024
Best play of the week: REC KeeSean Johnson, Saskatchewan Roughriders
There were several remarkable catches on Saturday but the best one came from former NFL draft pick and first-year CFL receiver KeeSean Johnson. The six-foot-one, 201-pound native of Mountain View, Calif. adjusted to the ball, turning around and leaping to pluck it from the outstretched hands of Devodric Bynum. Johnson’s touchdown came late in the third quarter but ended up being the game-winning points, launching the Riders to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Honourable mention: REC Kian Schaffer-Baker, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Eugene Lewis must be feeling generous…
Adam Auclair (@AdamAuclair) gets a gift out of the receiver’s hands.#CFL #Riders #RiderNation
pic.twitter.com/EqveJp5Fud— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) October 6, 2024
Worst play of the week: REC Eugene Lewis, Edmonton Elks
The two-time CFL all-star made five catches for 87 yards and a touchdown on Saturday but had a disastrous play near the end of the first half, which ended a promising Elks drive and led to a Saskatchewan field goal. Lewis dropped a nine-yard pass from McLeod Bethel-Thompson and, as the ball began to fall to the turf, struck it with his knee into the waiting hands of linebacker Adam Auclair. Yikes.
Honourable mention: QB Jake Maier, Calgary Stampeders
Best game of the week: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Edmonton Elks
There was a lot on the line for both teams in this game and both squads came to play, generating 52 points, 796 yards of offence, six touchdowns, four interceptions, and some truly incredible catches. Following the win, Saskatchewan now has a chance to secure a home playoff game this week when the team hosts the B.C. Lions.
Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Worst game of the week: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions
These teams were fighting for their playoff lives this past week but played with the intensity of a church bake sale. The only unit that showed any urgency was B.C.’s defence, which scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns — one on a pick-six from Mathieu Betts and another on a fumble return but T.J. Lee.
Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats