3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 11

Samantha Keen/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Week 11 is officially in the books as three CFL teams ended losing skids and the B.C. Lions won a third-straight game. Before we get into Week 12, let’s take a look back at the standout performers, plays, and games from the week that was.

These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2026 season. Enjoy.

Offensive player of the week: RB Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The 28-year-old willed his team to a win on Friday night, bouncing off contact and churning through defenders to record 11 carries for 74 yards, eight catches for 80 yards, and one touchdown. Oliveira is on pace to rush for 1,464 yards this season, which would be 111 more than his M.O.P. season in 2024. The Winnipeg native is also averaging 6.0 yards per carry, which is a career-high.

Honourable mention: QB Cody Fajardo, Edmonton Elks

Defensive player of the week: DB JJ Ross, Edmonton Elks

The second-year starter was a takeaway machine on Saturday, recording four tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. The Argonauts have one of the CFL’s top offences but you wouldn’t know that based on their performance in Edmonton, as they recorded only 12 points, 287 net yards, and 12 first downs. Ross has now tied his previous career-highs in interceptions (three) and forced fumbles (two).

Honourable mention: DL Malik Carney, Edmonton Elks

Special teams player of the week: K Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The veteran placekicker had a perfect night at Princess Auto Stadium, going four-for-four on field goals and three-for-three on convert attempts. Three of Castillo’s field goals came from beyond 40 yards, including a 56-yarder he nailed on the final play before halftime. The native La Joya, Texas also averaged 68.8 yards on four kickoffs, as he ranks second league-wide with a season-long average of 70.3 yards.

Honourable mention: K Brett Lauther, Ottawa Redblacks

Breakout player of the week: DB Terez Reid, Edmonton Elks

The 23-year-old made his CFL debut on Saturday and started for the Elks at boundary halfback. He recorded five defensive tackles and two pass knockdowns, tying for the team lead in both categories. The native of Indianapolis, Ind. finished his collegiate career at Florida Atlantic University in 2025, where he made 41 total tackles, one interception, and nine pass knockdowns over 12 games.

Honourable mention: DL Michael Fletcher, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Offensive line of the week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The unit of Trevor Reid, Brandon Revenberg, Liam Dobson, Jonathan Denis, and Brayden Swartout played well against a talented Saskatchewan front, allowing zero sacks and helping Larry Rountree III and Tre Ford combine for 85 yards along the ground. This marks the third time Hamilton’s offensive line has won this award this season, though it’s the first time they’ve done so since Week 3.

Honourable mention: B.C. Lions

Coach of the week: DC Brent Monson, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Tiger-Cats were brilliant against Saskatchewan, allowing only 244 net yards and 19 points to help end a three-game losing skid. This marked the first time all season that the Roughriders were held under 25 points, while Trevor Harris threw for a season-low 207 yards. Hamilton’s defence has been asked to do a lot since Bo Levi Mitchell went down and they’ve mostly risen to the occasion.

Honourable mention: DC JC Sherritt, Edmonton Elks

WHAT DID WE JUST WITNESS?!?!?

Tre Ford (@treford_1) uncorks a bomb off the bench and Keric Wheatfall (@KericWheatfall) lays out for a spectacular TD!#CFL #Ticats #TheHammer pic.twitter.com/G7EioXccdw

— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) August 16, 2026

Best play of the week: REC Keric Wheatfall, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

This play was a thing of beauty. Tre Ford fled the pocket, rolled to his right, and chucked a bomb for Keric Wheatfall. The veteran receiver had a couple of strides on defensive back Jonathan Edouard, then laid out to make a diving catch. The 41-yard touchdown was a sensational throw and catch, and turned out to be the game-winning score for the Tiger-Cats, bringing the crowd at Hamilton Stadium to its feet.

Honourable mention: REC Jermaine Jackson, B.C. Lions

The sickest man in Manitoba 🤢

Ontaria Wilson drops a wide-open touchdown pass.#CFL #Bombers #ForTheW pic.twitter.com/rzKwPVuO3n

— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) August 15, 2026

Worst play of the week: REC Ontaria Wilson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The 27-year-old couldn’t have been more open when Zach Collaros threw a perfect strike his way early in the second half on Friday night. Instead of securing the ball with his hands, Wilson let it bounce off his face mask and onto the turf for an incompletion. The drop took a touchdown off the board and sucked all the air out of Princess Auto Stadium, where a near-capacity crowd let out a collective sigh.

Honourable mention: REC Damonte Coxie, Toronto Argonauts

Best game of the week: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Harrison Frost and Tre Ford played well under centre for the Tiger-Cats, who stemmed the bleeding of a three-game losing skid with an impressive win over Saskatchewan. This game was a treat for people who like defensive football, as Hamilton’s defenders contested a ton of catches. Wynton McManis, Reggie Stubblefield, and Destin Talbert each recorded knockdowns, while Stubblefield and Stavros Katsantonis both made picks.

Honourable mention: B.C. Lions at Calgary Stampeders

Worst game of the week: Toronto Argonauts at Edmonton Elks

This was a one-score game well into the third quarter, but the Elks were ultimately too much for Toronto to handle. Edmonton opened a 30-12 lead early in the fourth quarter, then things descended into a blowout from there. Credit to the Green and Gold for dominating, but it hurt the entertainment value of this game as the result never felt like it was in doubt.

Honourable mention: Ottawa Redblacks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers