Week 6 CFL review: Elks, Roughriders, and Alouettes players earn top honours

By Noah Lavoie — 14 July 2026 — 3 min read

Elks dominate with key performances

The Edmonton Elks showcased strong individual performances in Week 6 of the Canadian Football League. Running back Justin Rankin was named Offensive Player of the Week for his significant contributions. Rankin rushed 14 times for 107 yards and two touchdowns, adding three receptions for 43 yards and another score. His season totals now stand at 513 rushing yards and 297 receiving yards, positioning him to potentially become the first CFL player to achieve 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in a single season.

Defensive back Kordell Jackson also earned recognition as Defensive Player of the Week. Jackson recorded three defensive tackles, two interceptions, and two pass knockdowns against Ottawa. Both interceptions were on contested catches, marking his first career two-interception game. The Elks secured a 40-17 victory, improving their record to 4-1 and forcing four turnovers in the game.

The coaching staff also received accolades, with Defensive Coordinator J.C. Sherritt named Coach of the Week. Under Sherritt, the Elks defense allowed only 337 net yards and recorded two sacks. Following this performance, Edmonton moved back to the top spot in the CFL for yards allowed per play.

Special teams and breakout stars emerge

Trey Vaval of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was recognized as the Special Teams Player of the Week. Despite an early fumble, Vaval responded by returning a missed field goal 129 yards for a touchdown, establishing a new franchise record. He concluded the game with 332 return yards on 11 attempts.

Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman David Perales was named Breakout Player of the Week. In his first career start, Perales made an immediate impact with one defensive tackle, one sack, and one pass knockdown. His pass knockdown in the final seconds secured the win for Montreal. Perales is expected to maintain his position in the starting lineup.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive line, comprising Payton Collins, Zack Fry, Logan Ferland, Jacob Brammer, and Jermarcus Hardrick, was named Offensive Line of the Week. The unit allowed only one sack and contributed to 137 rushing yards against the Tiger-Cats. Running back A.J. Ouellette had 83 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Tommy Stevens added 40 rushing yards on two plays, scoring his second touchdown of the evening.

Key moments and game outcomes

The Alouettes were also highlighted for the Best Play of the Week, a touchdown catch by Tyson Philpot. During the play, Davis Alexander connected with Tyler Snead on a bubble screen, and Snead then threw a pass to a diving Philpot in the end zone. Philpot has had a strong start to the season with 45 catches for 719 yards and four touchdowns. His current pace suggests he could challenge the all-time single-season receiving yards record of 2,036 yards set by Allen Pitts in 1994.

The Toronto Argonauts versus Winnipeg Blue Bombers game was deemed the Best Game of the Week. Dru Brown performed well in his first start back in Winnipeg, and the game featured strong plays from Chad Kelly and Trey Vaval. The Blue Bombers secured a 30-21 win over Toronto.

Conversely, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders game was identified as the Worst Game of the Week. The Roughriders won 38-7, with Hamilton struggling offensively. The Roughriders‘ new kicker, Alex Hale, missed a 35-yard field goal early in the game, which was named the Worst Play of the Week.

The Roughriders‘ defense performed well, and Trevor Harris‘s two interceptions were attributed to strong defensive plays by Wynton McManis and Stavros Katsantonis.

Source: 3downnation.com