CFL Notebook
Labour Day Weekend has come and gone, the playoff picture is beginning to take shape, and the CFL is officially entering the stretch drive. Here are 10 things dominating the conversation around the league right now:
1. The Edmonton Elks Are For Real
How about those Edmonton Elks? Down 18 points in Calgary, Edmonton stormed back for a 38-28 victory and improved to 9-3, putting themselves in position to clinch a playoff berth this weekend.
The Elks have gone from rebuilding project to legitimate Grey Cup contender remarkably quickly.
2. Montreal Is Sitting Pretty
At 10-2, the Alouettes remain the class of the East and were the first CFL team to officially clinch a playoff spot. Better yet, Montreal has already secured the right to host a playoff game.
Davis Alexander and company aren’t just winning — they’re putting themselves in position to control their postseason path.
3. Trevor Harris Isn’t Done Yet
At age 40, Trevor Harris continues to defy Father Time. The Saskatchewan quarterback threw for 362 yards in the Riders’ overtime victory over Winnipeg and moved into 10th place on the CFL’s all-time passing list with 41,590 yards.
That’s an incredible career — and Harris is showing he still has plenty left in the tank.
4. Dhel Duncan-Busby Has Arrived
With Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus unavailable, somebody had to step up for Saskatchewan. Enter Dhel Duncan-Busby.
He exploded for 10 catches, 148 yards against Winnipeg — both career highs — and is now sitting at 504 receiving yards on the season.
The Riders may have discovered another major offensive weapon at exactly the right time.
5. Winnipeg-Saskatchewan Isn’t Going Away
Sunday’s 32-26 Saskatchewan overtime victory was another reminder that this rivalry remains the CFL’s best.
Winnipeg erased a late deficit to force overtime, only to see Saskatchewan answer with Tommy Stevens’ third rushing touchdown of the afternoon. Now the Bombers get an immediate opportunity for revenge Saturday in Winnipeg.
That’s about as good as a rematch gets.
6. Chad Kelly Is Heating Up
Toronto’s Chad Kelly threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the Argos’ 37-22 Labour Day win over Hamilton. Damonte Coxie also crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.
At 6-6, Toronto isn’t dominating the standings, but nobody should be eager to see the Argos in a playoff game if Kelly is playing like this.
7. Tre Ford’s Health Bears Watching
The Hamilton quarterback’s Labour Day Classic ended prematurely after he suffered a head injury. Ford had given the Ticats a spark before leaving, but Toronto ultimately pulled away.
Hamilton is now 4-9, so the remainder of the season is about more than just wins and losses. The organization needs to determine what it has in Ford — and make sure his health comes first.
8. Montreal Brings Back Charleston Rambo
The Alouettes made an interesting move this week by bringing receiver Charleston Rambo back into the fold.
Rambo caught 61 passes for 808 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie in 2024 and already knows Montreal’s system and personnel. Adding another proven weapon to an offence that’s already rolling could be a significant move heading toward the playoffs.
9. The West Is Getting Crowded
Look at the standings: Edmonton 9-3, Saskatchewan 8-4, B.C. 6-6, Winnipeg 6-6 and Calgary 5-7.
That’s five teams separated by just four wins. And with the CFL’s crossover rule always lurking, nobody can afford to take his foot off the gas.
The West playoff race could come down to the final weekend.
10. Week 15 Is Massive
Saturday gives us four games with major playoff implications: Ottawa at Toronto, Saskatchewan at Winnipeg, Calgary at Edmonton and Montreal at B.C.
The big one? Saskatchewan at Winnipeg. The Bombers get the Riders at home just six days after losing an overtime thriller in Regina. Stay tuned for the Picks For PUMPJACKS@
Meanwhile, Edmonton can punch its playoff ticket with a victory over Calgary.
September football is here — and suddenly, every game matters.
The Grey Cup picture is becoming clearer. But with more than a month still to play, don’t be surprised if we get a few more twists before we know who’s really going to Calgary.
