Edmonton Elks solidify contender status
The Edmonton Elks, who began Week 8 with a 5-1 record, further established themselves as legitimate title contenders with a victory over the defending champions, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, at Mosaic Stadium. This win demonstrated their ability to succeed in various ways. While the team has received attention for running back Justin Rankin and their defence, quarterback Cody Fajardo showcased his aerial capabilities. The 34-year-old threw for 510 yards and four touchdowns against the Roughriders, who were considered the league’s top pass defence. The Elks are the only team to have defeated both the Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes this season. They are scheduled for a rematch with the Roughriders at home in Week 9.
In their 36-34 victory over the Roughriders, Cody Fajardo‘s performance included a 68-yard deep pass to Kaion Julien-Grant in the second quarter. A crucial play was his third-and-10 completion to T.J. Luther with less than a minute remaining, which set up Vincent Blanchard‘s 57-yard game-winning field goal.
Calgary Stampeders’ potent offence and record-setting play
The Calgary Stampeders‘ offence has been particularly effective, scoring over 50 points in a game twice this season. The Stampeders are averaging 39.7 points per game, demonstrating a strong performance both through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has achieved notable milestones in 2026, setting a record for the most touchdown passes without an interception to start the season with 18. His streak of 23 consecutive majors without an interception, extending from last year, is a new all-time high.
The team’s ground game, led by 2025 rushing champion Dedrick Mills, has also been a key factor. The 29-year-old leads the league in carries with 95 and yards with 584. In the Stampeders’ 52-30 win over Winnipeg, backup running back Tyreik McAllister also contributed significantly. McAllister had a 17-yard touchdown run on his only carry and two receptions, including a 56-yard touchdown. He also returned a missed field goal for 118 yards for another touchdown, scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter.
Alouettes’ offensive efficiency and defensive plays
The Montreal Alouettes have achieved a 6-1 start to the season, primarily due to the efficiency of their offence. While Davis Alexander‘s streak of consecutive pass attempts without an interception ended at 356 in Week 8, the team remains effective at avoiding turnovers. Tyson Philpot has emerged as a top receiver, with Tyler Snead and Cole Spieker also contributing.
The ground game, led by Travis Theis, has been particularly efficient. After gaining 123 yards in Week 7, Theis set a new career high of 156 yards against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 8. This marked his fourth game in the last five weeks with 90 or more rushing yards. In the Alouettes’ 31-18 win, Theis gained 61 rushing yards after contact and averaged over eight yards per carry on nine rushes for 156 yards and a touchdown. The Alouettes’ defence also played a role, sacking Tre Ford three times and holding the Tiger-Cats to 228 total yards, with Robert Kennedy securing a game-sealing interception.
In other defensive highlights, Benjamin Labrosse of the Stampeders recorded three interceptions in the 52-30 victory over Winnipeg. He was targeted six times and did not allow a first down. His final interception, returned for 65 yards, set up a short field goal and proved to be a pivotal play in the game.
Individual performances and notable statistics
Trevor Harris led the league in Week 8 with five big-time throws, according to PFF. He finished with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns against Edmonton. Brady Oliveira of Winnipeg tied for the league lead with six rushing first downs and forced five missed tackles against Calgary. Despite the loss, Oliveira finished with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, surpassing 6,000 career rushing yards and becoming the sixth Canadian in CFL history to reach this milestone. Justin McInnis of the Lions secured all six of his receptions against Toronto in contested situations, gaining 89 yards.
The Alouettes defeated the Tiger-Cats, extending their winning streak to four games. The Argonauts downed the Lions, and the Stampeders defeated the Bombers. The Elks secured a victory over the Roughriders with a last-second field goal.
Source: tsn.ca
