Edmonton Elks confirm title contention
The Edmonton Elks solidified their position as a legitimate title threat in Week 8 of the CFL season. Their victory over the defending champions, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, at Mosaic Stadium, demonstrated their ability to win in various ways. While the team has often been highlighted for running back Justin Rankin and their defence, quarterback Cody Fajardo showcased his aerial capabilities. Fajardo, 34, threw for 510 yards and four touchdowns against the Riders, who were noted as the league’s top pass defence.
Edmonton is the only team to have defeated the Montreal Alouettes this season. The Elks are set for a rematch with the Roughriders at home in Week 9, an opportunity to further extend their lead in the West Division.
Calgary’s potent offense and record-setting quarterback
The Calgary Stampeders have demonstrated a potent offense, scoring more than 50 points twice this season, a feat unmatched by any other team. The Stampeders are averaging 39.7 points per game, excelling both through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., 33, has made history in 2026 by setting a new record for 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 also a new all-time high.
The ground game, led by 2025 rushing champion Dedrick Mills, has been a key component of the team’s identity. Mills, 29, leads the league in carries with 95 and yards with 584, providing a physical presence alongside the offensive line in Pat DelMonaco’s offense. This combination of a strong run game and a quarterback who avoids turnovers has contributed to their success.
Alouettes’ offensive efficiency and defensive plays
The Montreal Alouettes have achieved a 6-1 start to the season primarily through offensive efficiency, rather than solely relying on their defence. While Noel Thorpe’s defence is often among the league leaders, the offense’s ability to avoid turnovers has been crucial. Quarterback Davis Alexander‘s streak of consecutive pass attempts without an interception ended in Week 8 at 356, but the team remains effective at ball security.
Running back Travis Theis has been a significant contributor to the ground game. After a career-high 123 yards in Week 7, Theis set a new career-high of 156 rushing 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. Theis gained 61 rushing yards after contact in the victory against Hamilton, rushing nine times for 156 yards and a touchdown in the Alouettes‘ 31-18 win.
Standout individual performances
Several players delivered notable performances in Week 8. Trevor Harris led the league with five big-time throws, according to PFF, finishing with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns. His efforts positioned Saskatchewan for a potential win before Vincent Blanchard‘s last-second field goal secured a 36-34 victory for Edmonton.
Brady Oliveira of Winnipeg tied for the league lead with six rushing first downs and forced five missed tackles against Calgary, according to PFF. Despite a loss, Oliveira finished with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, and surpassed 6,000 career rushing yards, 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. Benjamin Labrosse of Calgary recorded three interceptions in the Stampeders‘ 52-30 win over Winnipeg, not allowing a first down on six targets.
Source: tsn.ca
