Philpot’s exceptional receiving statistics
Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot has been a standout performer, leading the league with 45 catches for 719 yards through five games. He has also recorded four touchdowns and holds a significant lead of 240 yards over Saskatchewan’s KeeSean Johnson, who is currently second in the CFL. Philpot’s consistent play has positioned him to potentially surpass several league records if he maintains his health.
In a recent game against Calgary, Philpot caught nine passes for 132 yards and scored a touchdown on a halfback option from receiver Tyler Snead. This performance marked his fourth consecutive game with over 100 receiving yards. He has also come close to reaching 200 yards in two separate games, with 193 yards against Toronto and 198 yards against Ottawa. His early-season statistics suggest he is on pace for an astronomical 2,641 receiving yards, which would exceed the existing CFL record of 2,036 yards set by Calgary’s Allen Pitts in 1994. Additionally, Philpot is on track to surpass the record of 160 receptions held by Derrell Mitchell from 1998.
Philpot, a Canadian player, is also in contention to break records set by other Canadian athletes. Calgary’s Terry Evanshen, who also played for Montreal, recorded 1,662 yards in 1967, while Ottawa’s Brad Sinopoli had 116 catches in 2016. These marks could also be surpassed by Philpot. Despite the attention, Philpot has stated his focus remains on winning each week.
Defensive and offensive highlights from Week 7
While Philpot’s offensive prowess has been notable, Week 7 also featured strong defensive performances. Kenneth Logan Jr. of Edmonton had a comprehensive defensive outing in the Elks’ 19-17 victory over the BC Lions. He was credited with five defensive stops, seven tackles, a sack, and an interception, contributing significantly to the Elks’ improved record of 5-1.
In another defensive highlight, Ronald Kent Jr. of the BC Lions delivered a robust performance in coverage during his team’s 19-17 loss to Edmonton. Quarterbacks completed only 25 percent of passes thrown in his direction, making him a challenging defensive back to target. His efforts helped keep the game competitive until the end.
Jake Kelly of Winnipeg also played a crucial role in the Blue Bombers’ 36-34 comeback victory against Ottawa. Targeted only twice, Kelly allowed just 10 receiving yards and prevented any first downs. He also secured an interception as Winnipeg overcame a 17-point deficit.
On the offensive side, Dedrick Mills continued to drive Calgary’s offence despite their 38-32 loss to Montreal. He carried the ball 15 times for 130 yards and a touchdown, securing eight rushing first downs. Mills also forced seven missed tackles, showcasing a physical running style that has him leading the CFL in rushing through seven weeks. Additionally, Travis Theis of the Alouettes carried the ball 19 times for 123 yards and a touchdown in Montreal’s 38-32 victory over Calgary, with 83 of those yards coming after contact, helping to extend drives for his team.
Team performances and close games
The Alouettes, despite their strong offensive showings, have experienced close games. Their largest margin of victory has been seven points, occurring twice. They have also faced challenges in maintaining leads, as seen in their game against Calgary where they held a 24-10 lead in the second quarter and a 34-20 advantage going into the final period, only to be outscored 10-3. The game ultimately came down to the wire, with Jose Maltos-Diaz scoring a field goal to put Montreal up 37-23 more than eight minutes into the quarter.
This trend of close contests appears to be widespread across the league. Out of 22 games played in the CFL, the average margin of victory is 9.3 points. Nearly one-third, or seven games, have been decided by a margin of one to four points. In the game against Calgary, defensive-end David Perales, playing his first CFL game, knocked down a pass on third down with 25 seconds remaining, preventing Calgary from scoring at the Montreal 15-yard line.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown, starting in place of Zach Collaros, completed 25 of 31 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown in a 30-21 win against Toronto. This marks the third player-of-the-week honour for Brown, as well as for Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin and Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot.
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Source: cfl.ca
