3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 20

Photo: Gord Weber/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Week 20 of the Canadian Football League season has officially come and gone, bringing with it a monumental win in Ottawa, clinching victories in Edmonton and Saskatchewan, and a season-saving win in Calgary.

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

Offensive player of the week: QB Bryson Barnes, Ottawa Redblacks

The 25-year-old looked sharp under centre, completing 27-of-37 pass attempts for 339 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He was also effective with his legs, rushing seven times for 62 yards. The Redblacks were on the brink of having the worst season in league history, and Barnes stepped up to lead them to their first victory in over 400 days.

Honourable mention: REC Ayden Eberhardt, Ottawa Redblacks

Defensive player of the week: LB Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Montreal Alouettes

The veteran linebacker was all over the field for the Alouettes, as he led his team with seven tackles and one sack. It was a strong overall performance for Montreal’s defence, as the unit allowed only 329 net yards of offence and 6.0 yards per play despite Saskatchewan having their full complement of receivers in the starting lineup, including Kian Schaffer-Baker, Samuel Emilus, and KeeSean Johnson.

Honourable mention: DL Charles Wiley, Calgary Stampeders

Special teams player of the week: KR Montrell Washington, Edmonton Elks

The rookie returner just keeps making plays, including a 65-yard kickoff return right before halftime that led to an Edmonton touchdown. Washington finished the game with four kickoff returns for 113 yards, one punt return for 10 yards, and one missed field goal return for 29 yards.

Honourable mention: P Noah Gettman, Ottawa Redblacks

Breakout player of the week: QB Bryson Barnes, Ottawa Redblacks

This was perhaps the easiest selection of the season. Barnes looked great in his first career CFL start, and provided hope in the nation’s capital.

Honourable mention: LB Darius McKenzie, Toronto Argonauts

Offensive line of the week: Calgary Stampeders

The Stampeders shuffled their offensive line this week, as left tackle D’Antne Demery returned from injury, Preston Nichols moved from left guard to right tackle, Chris Fortin moved from centre to left guard, and Bryce Bell took over at centre. The results were positive as the unit allowed only one sack, and Deonta McMahon had the first 100-yard rushing game of his CFL career.

Honourable mention: Edmonton Elks

Coach of the week: HC Ryan Dinwiddie, Ottawa Redblacks

It’s been a rough season in the nation’s capital, there’s no denying that. However, for at least one game, local fans had a lot to be excited about. Dinwiddie, who also serves as the team’s offensive coordinator, had the offence humming, and Bryson Barnes looked like a seasoned pro. It remains to be seen if Dinwiddie will keep his job for 2027, but his development of Barnes should be considered a point in his favour.

Honourable mention: HC Dave Dickenson, Calgary Stampeders

Daniel Wise (@TheDanielWise) has done the impossible !

The Montreal DT bulldozes Jermarcus Hardrick and stops Tommy Stevens for a turnover on downs.

#CFL #AlsMTL #Alouettes https://t.co/4zDRH96nDq

— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) October 17, 2026

Best play of the week: Daniel Wise’s late-game stuff

The former Washington Commander and UFL standout is far from a household name in Canada but he made a remarkable late-game play that almost won the day for Montreal. Just after the three-minute warning, Wise clobbered perennial All-CFL offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick on third-and-one and tripped up Tommy Stevens for a turnover on downs. It was an impact play at a critical juncture of the contest.

Honourable mention: Nick Arbuckle’s second touchdown pass to Kevin Mital

Worst play of the week: Kalil Pimpleton’s late-game drop

On the last play before the three-minute warning, Bryson Barnes threw a perfect seam ball to Kalil Pimpleton, who had come open behind Derek Slywka. The ball hit the speedy receiver in the hands but he dropped it, forcing the Redblacks to punt. Had he caught it, Pimpleton would have had the Redblacks in field goal range with a 33-31 lead, giving them a chance to put the game away.

Honourable mention: Zach Collaros’ first interception

Best game of the week: Toronto Argonauts at Ottawa Redblacks

Neither of these teams had anything to play for in the standings this week, so it wouldn’t have been a surprise if this game had been a stinker. Instead, it was an instant classic. Bryson Barnes was electric in his first career start, Nick Arbuckle threw two beautiful touchdown passes to Kevin Mital, and two touchdowns were scored in the last 33 seconds. Meaningless late-season games are often forgettable but this one was anything but.

Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Edmonton Elks

Worst game of the week: Montreal Alouettes at Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Green and White entered this game with a chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs, but you wouldn’t have known that based on their level of play. The defending champions were outplayed by an Alouettes team that sat several offensive stars, and needed a last-minute touchdown from KeeSean Johnson to win the game. This should have been a get-right game for Saskatchewan, but instead, it was a sloppy snoozer.

Honourable mention: B.C. Lions at Calgary Stampeders