What we learned in Week 8 in the CFL
Edmonton Elks solidify contender status
Week 8 of the Canadian Football League season provided insights into several teams. The Edmonton Elks, who entered Week 8 with a strong start, further cemented their position with a victory over the defending champions. This win, a walk-off against the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium, demonstrated the Elks’ versatility.
While Justin Rankin and the team’s defence have garnered attention, quarterback Cody Fajardo showcased an aerial attack, throwing for 510 yards and four touchdowns. This performance was notable given the Roughriders‘ reputation as a top pass defence. The Elks have also secured a win against the Montreal Alouettes this season. They are scheduled for a rematch with the Green and White at home in Week 9.
In the game against Saskatchewan, Trevor Harris led the league with five big-time throws, according to PFF. Harris finished with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns, positioning Saskatchewan to win before Vincent Blanchard’s last-second field goal secured a 36-34 victory for Edmonton.
Calgary Stampeders’ offensive power
The Calgary Stampeders have displayed a potent offence, with the team averaging 39.7 points per game, a league best. Their success has come through both passing and rushing plays. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. has made his mark. His streak extends to 23 consecutive majors without an interception, dating back to last year, marking a new all-time high.
The Stampeders’ ground game, led by Dedrick Mills, has also been a key component. Mills leads the league in carries with 95 and yards with 584, bringing a physical presence to the offence. This combination of a strong run game and a quarterback who avoids turnovers has contributed to their success.
In their 52-30 win over Winnipeg, Benjamin Labrosse recorded three interceptions. PFF reported that he was targeted six times and did not allow a first down. Brady Oliveira 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, and surpassed 6,000 career rushing yards, becoming the sixth Canadian in CFL history to reach this milestone.
Montreal Alouettes’ offensive efficiency
The Montreal Alouettes have achieved a 6-1 start to the season, largely due to their offensive efficiency. While Noel Thorpe’s defence is consistently strong, the offence has been the primary factor. Although Davis Alexander’s streak of consecutive pass attempts without an interception ended at 356 in Week 8, the team remains effective at avoiding turnovers.
The receiving corps, including Tyson Philpot, Tyler Snead, and a healthy Cole Spieker, has contributed to the offence. However, the ground game, led by Travis Theis, has been particularly impactful. After a career-high of 123 yards in Week 7, Theis set a new career-high of 156 yards against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Week 8. Theis gained 61 rushing yards after contact in the win against Hamilton, rushing nine times for 156 yards and a touchdown in the Alouettes’ 31-18 victory.
Justin McInnis secured all six of his receptions against Toronto with a defender in position to challenge him, accumulating 89 yards. He finished with twice as many contested catches as any other receiver in Week 8.
Source: tsn.ca
