Week 19 in the CFL has come and gone, leaving much to be desired. This week didn’t feature many big plays or touchdowns but had plenty of drops, missed throws, and punts. Here’s hoping this was a one-off and Week 20 has a lot more to offer.
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 Justin Rankin, Edmonton Elks
The 27-year-old rookie out of the Indoor Football League hasn’t wasted any time making a name for himself in the CFL, rushing 10 times for 140 yards in his team’s win over Calgary at McMahon Stadium. The five-foot-ten, 215-pound native of Oberlin, Ohio has now rushed for 717 yards and four touchdowns on only 86 carries this season, averaging an exceptional 8.3 yards per attempt.
Honourable mention: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Defensive player of the week: DL Folarin Orimolade, Toronto Argonauts
Toronto’s defensive front dominated the Blue Bombers on Friday night, sacking Zach Collaros a season-high seven times. Orimolade led the way with two sacks and even sealed the game with an interception on the final play, intercepting a Hail Mary throw intended for Ontaria Wilson. The reigning East Division all-star now has six sacks, one pick, and one forced fumble over 16 games this season.
Honourable mention: DL Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, Montreal Alouettes
Special teams player of the week: P Cody Grace, Calgary Stampeders
Not much is going right for the Stampeders these days but Cody Grace is still at the top of his game, which is a good thing considering how often Calgary is forced to punt. The 28-year-old native of Perth, Australia booted the ball seven times for a net average of 41.0 yards in the team’s 23-18 loss to the Edmonton Elks, making him arguably the team’s top performer in the game.
Honourable mention: LB Shayne Gauthier, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Breakout player of the week: DL Caleb Sanders, Saskatchewan Roughriders
The six-foot-one, 287-pound product of South Dakota State was a nightmare for the Lions to defend at Mosaic Stadium, recording three tackles, two tackles for loss, and one sack. It’s easy to go overlooked when playing alongside Micah Johnson, Miles Brown, and Anthony Lanier II but Sanders has proven he’s an impact player even in a rotational role along the interior of the defensive line.
Honourable mention: DL Antonio Moultrie, Montreal Alouettes
Offensive line of the week: Toronto Argonauts
The unit Ryan Hunter, Dylan Giffen, Peter Nicastro, Anthony Vandal, and Dejon Allen continues to play well without left tackle Isiah Cage in the lineup, keeping franchise quarterback Chad Kelly upright throughout their win over Winnipeg. The unit also helped Ka’Deem Carey rush for 39 yards on only five carries before he left the game due to injury.
Honourable mention: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Coach of the week: HC Corey Mace, Saskatchewan Roughriders
Saskatchewan played arguably its most important game since 2021 this past weekend when it hosted B.C. with a chance to clinch a home playoff game. The team responded by dominating for four straight quarters, scoring 39 points and forcing six takeaways. The win not only secured a top-two finish for the Riders but also kept their hopes of leapfrogging Winnipeg to host the West Final alive.
Honourable mention: DCs Kevin Eiben and William Fields, Toronto Argonauts
The Stampeders get a timely turnover! 👀#Stamps #Calgary #Elks #CFLpic.twitter.com/IJCFr9iLQt
— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) October 12, 2024
Best play of the week: DL Clarence Hicks, Calgary Stampeders
The 25-year-old native of Pensacola, Fla. made an exceptional interception on Saturday, leaping with an outstretched arm to knock down a pass from Tre Ford before tracking the ball and securing it before it hit the turf. The takeaway gave Calgary possession deep in Edmonton territory late in the fourth quarter, setting up a touchdown that momentarily gave the Stampeders the lead.
Honourable mention: REC Jerreth Sterns, Saskatchewan Roughriders
CHAOS IN REGINA 😱😱😱#Riders #Saskatchewan #BCLions #CFLpic.twitter.com/xwjsfwpUrd
— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) October 12, 2024
Worst play of the week: RB William Stanback, B.C. Lions
The all-star running back dropped an outlet pass from Nathan Rourke on B.C.’s first possession against Saskatchewan and inadvertently kicked it into the air with his heel. The ball popped up into the air and bounced off multiple defenders before Canadian linebacker A.J. Allen corralled it and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown. The play set the tone for what ended up being a disastrous night for the Lions, losing by 31 points.
Honourable mention: QB Davis Alexander, Montreal Alouettes
Best game of the week: Edmonton Elks at Calgary Stampeders
This game didn’t mean anything in the standings but it was the most entertaining matchup of an underwhelming slate. Tre Ford is always fun to watch, Justin Rankin continued to establish himself as a legitimate CFL star, and there were two late lead changes. Matthew Shiltz didn’t exactly light it up in his only start so far this year, so stay tuned if longtime NFL passer P.J. Walker gets a look before Calgary’s season is out.
Honourable mention: B.C. Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Worst game of the week: Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes
The league’s annual Thanksgiving matchup made us feel thankful that most CFL games are way better than this mess. The rain was undoubtedly a factor in the sloppiness but this game was poorly quarterbacked, had too many dropped passes, and a ton of Ottawa penalties. If you skipped this game to spend time with family, you didn’t miss much.
Honourable mention: Toronto Argonauts at Winnipeg Blue Bombers