3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 13

Photo: Blair Takahashi/COACHTAK/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Week 13 of the 2026 CFL season is officially in the books, as the West Division swept all four games against East Division opponents. Before we look ahead to Labour Day Weekend, let’s check out 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 Zander Horvath, B.C. Lions

The 27-year-old ran roughshod over the Ottawa Redblacks, rushing 24 times for 164 yards and four touchdowns, and making four receptions for 30 yards. The six-foot-three, 230-pound ball-carrier has now scored 16 touchdowns this season, putting him on pace to challenge for the single-season CFL record of 23 set by Milt Stegall in 2002.

Honourable mention: REC Tyler Snead, Montreal Alouettes

Defensive player of the week: DL Caleb Sanders, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Dakoda Shepley is a talented blocker but Sanders gave him fits on Saturday afternoon. The six-foot-one, 270-pound defender recorded three tackles and two sacks from his spot along the interior of the defensive line. The Argonauts didn’t try to run the ball often but struggled to do so when called, as Isaiah Smith and Qualan Jones combined for 15 yards.

Honourable mention: DL Miles Brown, Calgary Stampeders

Special teams player of the week: P James Burnip, Toronto Argonauts

The CFL rookie punted seven times for a net average of 44.3 yards on Saturday, keeping Roughriders returner James Letcher Jr. at bay. The 25-year-old native of Mount Macedon, Australia hit a beauty midway through the second quarter when his punt landed at the Saskatchewan two-yard line and bounced dead before the end zone. Letcher Jr. ended up having to field the ball but was tackled at the seven-yard line.

Honourable mention: K Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Breakout player of the week: QB Josh Love, Calgary Stampeders

The 29-year-old made his first career CFL start in place of the injured Vernon Adams Jr. and played fairly well, completing 25-of-36 pass attempts for 274 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Winning isn’t easy without your starting quarterback, but this was a game the Stampeders couldn’t afford to lose, and Love got the job done.

Honourable mention: DB James Burgess Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders

Offensive line of the week: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The unit of Stanley Bryant, Gabe Wallace, Tyler Elsbury, Patrick Neufeld, and Jarell Broxton dominated the line of scrimmage against Montreal, allowing only one sack and helping Brady Oliveira rush for 106 yards and a touchdown. Neufeld took two extracurricular penalties, but indicated postgame that he wants the line to play “with an edge.” This marks the first time Winnipeg’s offensive line has won this award this season.

Honourable mention: B.C. Lions

Coach of the week: OC Tommy Condell, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The longtime CFL assistant coach hasn’t always wrapped himself in glory this year, but his offence was spectacular against the Alouettes. The unit generated 447 net yards, five touchdowns, 32 first downs, and almost 38 minutes in time of possession, which kept Montreal’s dangerous offence off the field. If the Blue Bombers can keep their short passing game razor-sharp, expect them to make noise over the last third of the season.

Honourable mention: OC Pat DelMonaco, Calgary Stampeders

WE HAVE A NEED! A NEED FOR SNEAD!

Tyler Snead (@TylerSnead11) would not be denied on this spectacular touchdown!#CFL #AlsMTL #Alouettes pic.twitter.com/LszYZmksu0

— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) August 29, 2026

Best play of the week: Tyler Snead’s catch-and-run touchdown

The 26-year-old caught a 15-yard pass over the middle from Davis Alexander and absorbed a big hit from safety Jake Kelly. He then spun off a tackle from Jonathan Moxey, took off sprinting, then spun out of a tackle from Kyrie Wilson to reach the end zone. It was an incredible 36-yard score, as Snead finished the game with six catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Honourable mention: Ayden Eberhardt’s catch-and-run touchdown

Worst play of the week: Tarvarus McFadden’s offside penalty

Trailing by three points late in the fourth quarter, the Roughriders were forced to settle for a field goal from Toronto’s four-yard line. However, McFadden jumped offside to give Saskatchewan a fresh set of downs. Tommy Stevens scored a two-yard rushing touchdown on the following play, which turned out to be the game-winning score. McFadden had a strong performance overall, notching three tackles and three pass knockdowns, but this was an awful mistake at a critical moment of the game.

Honourable mention: Josh Love’s chest pass to no one

Best game of the week: Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

This game didn’t exactly come down to the wire, as the Blue Bombers clinched the victory with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Ontaria Wilson with five minutes left. With that said, this was the best-played game of the week, as both offences were razor sharp, though the defences made their fair share of plays, too. The sold-out crowd at Princess Auto Stadium also made for an elite atmosphere.

Honourable mention: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders

Worst game of the week: B.C. Lions at Ottawa Redblacks

The Redblacks kept things close until halftime, when the levees broke and B.C. dominated to win 45-28. Seven different defenders suffered injuries for Ottawa, which made it almost impossible to stop Zander Horvath late in the game. The nation’s capital has now lost 17 consecutive games dating back to last year, and it’s getting sad seeing how empty it is at TD Place Stadium.

Honourable mention: Toronto Argonauts at Saskatchewan Roughriders