3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 18

Photo: David Dermer/B.C. Lions

Week 18 in the CFL has come and gone, featuring a game between two eliminated teams, an upset in Regina, a field goal party at BMO Field, and a beatdown in La Belle Province.

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

Offensive player of the week: QB Vernon Adams Jr., Calgary Stampeders

The veteran passer was on fire at Mosaic Stadium, where he threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Stampeders to a win. The victory not only extended Calgary’s winning streak to three games, but put the team back into playoff position. Adams Jr. hit seven different targets and added 21 rushing yards on two carries. The 33-year-old now has 34 touchdown passes and five interceptions on the year.

Honourable mention: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes

Defensive player of the week: LB Darnell Sankey, B.C. Lions

The Lions were brilliant in short-yardage on Saturday, thanks in large part to their big-bodied middle linebacker. Sankey led the team with nine defensive tackles and one tackle for loss, and played a key role in B.C.’s game-winning goal-line stand. He made two tackles on Toronto’s final three offensive plays, and stonewalled a block from fullback Sebastian Parsalidis on third down to hold the line of scrimmage to help stop Nick Arbuckle in his tracks.

Honourable mention: LB Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams player of the week: K Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions

The 40-year-old went eight-for-eight on his field goal attempts against the Argonauts, accounting for all of his team’s points in a 24-17 victory. Two of Whyte’s attempts came from 40-plus yards with a long of 48 yards. The native of South Surrey, B.C. has long-since been known for his accuracy, which was on full display at BMO Field. He came one field goal short of tying the single-game CFL record, which was recently set by Edmonton Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard.

Honourable mention: LB Micah Teitz, Calgary Stampeders

Breakout player of the week: DB Ashton Miller-Melancon, Calgary Stampeders

Originally an eighth-round pick in the 2025 CFL Draft, the product of Queen’s University came up huge for the Stampeders in Regina. Miller-Melancon recorded six defensive tackles, two pass knockdowns, and one interception that he returned 25 yards. The native of Pointe-Claire, Que. saw limited action on defence through most of this season, but he could be seeing a lot more in the weeks to come after a strong outing.

Honourable mention: DL Jelani Stafford, Ottawa Redblacks

Offensive line of the week: Montreal Alouettes

The unit of Des Holmes, Pier-Olivier Lestage, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, Donny Ventrelli, and Tiger Shanks was rock solid against Winnipeg, helping Davis Alexander throw for 440 yards and one touchdown. It was also a good day along the ground for the Alouettes, as Stevie Scott III and Shomari Lawrence combined for 20 carries for 110 yards and one touchdown.

Honourable mention: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Coach of the week: HC Jason Maas, Montreal Alouettes

Coming off a bye week, the Alouettes looked simply unstoppable against Winnipeg. The offence scored at will and the defence completely shut down Brady Oliviera, making for one of the most one-sided games of the 2026 season. The victory allowed Montreal to clinch first place in the East Division for just the second time since 2013.

Honourable mention: DC Noel Thorpe, Montreal Alouettes

REDBLACKS defence comes in clutch late in the first half 🙌

A tipped ball from Brown leads to an interception for Addae!

📺: TSN and CFL+
📱: Your #CFLGameDay second screen, the official CFL App: https://t.co/qBJs7eBqnz pic.twitter.com/QF6LPK9iFw

— CFL (@CFL) October 3, 2026

Best play of the week: Alonzo Addae’s interception

This season has been disastrous for Ottawa, but this was one heck of a play. Kahzir Brown was in man coverage on Kenny Lawler when Harrison Frost launched a deep ball to the end zone. Brown batted the pass, which landed in the open arms of Alonzo Addae, who was rushing over to provide help in coverage. It was a sensational play that resulted in a much-needed takeaway for the Redblacks.

Honourable mention: Tyson Philpot’s catch over Evan Holm

Worst play of the week: Quali Conley’s muffed punt return

The rookie running back had limited return experience entering this week, which made it a curious decision for Saskatchewan to use him in that capacity. On just the fourth play of the game, Conley was unable to handle a punt from Mark Vassett, and the loose ball was recovered by Jesulayomi Ojutalayo. The Stampeders needed only three plays to score a touchdown following the turnover, which may have been avoided had the Roughriders fielded a more experienced returner.

Honourable mention: Toronto’s failed third-down QB sneak

Best game of the week: B.C. Lions at Toronto Argonauts

This was far from the best game of the year, but it was a relatively evenly-matched affair that went down to the wire with an electric goal line stand. Was Nathan Rourke at his best? No. Did the Argonauts miss Chad Kelly? Yes. With that said, this was still an enjoyable game. David Ungerer III was brilliant for Toronto, while B.C.’s defence repeatedly stepped up when it mattered most.

Honourable mention: Calgary Stampeders at Saskatchewan Roughriders

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

Watching Davis Alexander and Tyson Philpot achieve greatness was fun, but there was no drama in this matchup as Winnipeg rolled over sometime in the second quarter and failed to get back off the mat. It takes two teams to play a great football game, and the Blue Bombers simply didn’t live up to their end of the bargain in this one.

Honourable mention: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Ottawa Redblacks