3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 1

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

Week 1 of the 2026 CFL regular-season has come and gone, featuring two nail-biting finishes and a monsoon-like downpour.

Before we get into Week 2, let’s take quick a look back at the standout performers, plays, and games from the first three games of the year.

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

Offensive player of the week: RB Justin Rankin, Edmonton Elks

The 28-year-old wants to become the first CFL player ever to rush and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season and got off to a brilliant start, ripping up the Redblacks for 102 yards along the ground, 94 yards in the air, and one touchdown. Rankin accounted for over half of Edmonton’s offensive production in the game, helping the team start 1-0 for the first time since 2019.

Honourable mention: REC Tyler Snead, Montreal Alouettes

Defensive player of the week: DL Jake Ceresna, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The two-time All-CFL selection wreaked havoc against Calgary’s offensive line, getting home for three sacks against Vernon Adams Jr. Ceresna played through a bucket handle meniscus tear for much of last season, which he claimed was initially misdiagnosed, resulting in a down year. The 31-year-old is now back to full health and has added some fuel to a Blue Bombers pass rush that was the league’s worst in 2025.

Honourable mention: LB Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes

Special teams player of the week: KR Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The league’s reigning Most Outstanding Special Teams Player has already avoided a sophomore slump, ripping off a 53-yard punt return across the field at McMahon Stadium. Had one of Winnipeg’s veterans not missed a key block late in the return, Vaval would likely have scored a touchdown. The 25-year-old finished the game with 196 yards on eight total returns.

Honourable mention: K Vincent Blanchard, Edmonton Elks

Breakout player of the week: LB Jordan Crook, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The raw rookie out of Arizona State played his first career CFL game on Thursday night and was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries to Wynton McManis and Braxton Hill. Crook made five defensive tackles and one pass knockdown in the game, as the Tiger-Cats held Montreal’s rushing attack to 80 yards.

Honourable mention: RB Shomari Lawrence, Montreal Alouettes

Offensive line of the week: Edmonton Elks

The new-look unit of Brendan Bordner, Carter O’Donnell, David Beard, Coulter Woodmansey, and Jordan Murray is the CFL’s highest-paid offensive line and the Elks got an early return on their investment. The line opened plenty of rushing lanes for Justin Rankin and allowed only one sack, helping Edmonton reach victory in the nation’s capital.

Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Coach of the week: HC Mark Kilam, Edmonton Elks

It wasn’t a perfect performance — his team took 14 penalties for 142 yards — but Kilam has the Elks at 1-0 for the first time in seven years. This is a team that desperately needed to start strong after miserable starts in recent years. Justin Rankin was dominant, Edmonton’s defence was stifling, and the special teams units were rock solid.

Honourable mention: HC Jason Maas, Montreal Alouettes

What an unbelievable catch by Tyson Philpot.

A brilliant play to tie up an excellent season-opener in Steeltown.#MontreALS | #Ticats | #CFL pic.twitter.com/ipTPd3kG8x

— John Hodge (@JohnDHodge) June 5, 2026

Best play of the week: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes

The star out of the University of Calgary didn’t take long to make what could very well end up being the catch of the year. Working against Gregory Junior, Philpot reached with his left arm to pin the ball against the defender, then pulled it into his body to secure a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was an excellent play at a key moment, without which the Alouettes likely wouldn’t have forced overtime.

Honourable mention: RB Justin Rankin, Edmonton Elks

Worst play of the week: QB Jake Maier, Ottawa Redblacks & DB Tyrell Ford, Edmonton Elks

With two minutes left in the game and his team trailing by eight points on second-and-long, Jake Maier floated the ball into triple coverage, where his intended target ended up falling down. It was a poor decision and a questionable throw. What made this play ever worse was Ford dropping what would have been the easiest interception of his career. It was all-around ugly.

Honourable mention: REC Keric Wheatfall, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Best game of the week: Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

This was an awesome game to start the 2026 season. The Alouettes made a ton of big plays, Hamilton’s offence made hay underneath, and overtime was the perfect finish. Brandon Banks being surprised with his selection for the Hall of Fame was heartwarming and Philpot’s touchdown catch was electric, though this game may be best remembered for Davis Alexander’s rear end getting a close-up from TSN’s overhead camera.

Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Calgary Stampeders

Worst game of the week: Edmonton Elks vs. Ottawa Redblacks

This wasn’t a terrible game but it paled in comparison to the other two from Week 1. The miserable weather was a factor, of course, but there were also 24 penalties, which bogged down the pace of play. This game wasn’t particularly close in the fourth quarter, either, as Justin Rankin’s touchdown run gave the Elks a 16-point lead with a little over 10 minutes left to play.

Honourable mention: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Calgary Stampeders