This Week in the CFL – Week 11

Stats and storylines heading into this week’s action

THE WEEK THAT WAS

• Week 10 was the most effective passing week of the season with 17 touchdown passes to seven interceptions.
• Last week’s league-wide passing efficiency was 109.4 – the highest of the year.
• The matchup between Ottawa and Toronto had the highest overall passer rating ever recorded – 154.3 – with a total of seven passing touchdowns. It also featured five lead changes, which is tied for most in a game this season.
• Week 10’s average of 60 points per game was the second highest this season.
• There were four non-offensive touchdowns (1 PR, 3 INT) last week.
• The offensive lines stood tall, limiting sacks to 3.8 per game.
• Winnipeg’s 22-point comeback win was the second biggest deficit overcome in team history.

SOARING FLOCK

• Montreal (5-3) is riding a three-game winning streak following a Week 7 bye.
• During that stretch, the CFL’s leading receiver, Austin Mack, has nine receptions for 199 yards (22.1 yard per catch).
• In their five games prior to Week 7, the team highest rushing output in a single game was 93 yards. During its winning streak, they have registered 119, 135 and 186 yards.
• In its first five contests, Montreal allowed 22.2 points per game. In their past three, they have allowed 14.7 points.
• During the streak, they have allowed two touchdown drives on 41 possessions.
• Montreal had seven sacks in its first five games, but the team has eight in its past three.

QUICK SLANTS

• The East Division is 9-6 in interdivisional play.
• In the fourth quarter, kickers are 52-of-56 (92 per cent).
• Six of the Elks’ last seven visits to Hamilton have been decided in the final three minutes.
• Tre Ford’s lone victory as a starter was a 29-25 decision in Hamilton in Week 4 last year.
• The Ticats are coming off their second bye of the season and have won six straight games following a week’s rest. Teams this year are 9-2 when coming off a bye.
• The Ticats won their first meeting with the Elks 37-29 in Week 6, with Hamilton’s running back James Butler collecting 167 yards from scrimmage on 17 touches.
• Winnipeg has won four straight meetings versus Calgary.
• Winnipeg (24) is one of two teams with a 20 per cent or higher TD percentage alongside Toronto (25).
• Coming in relief last week, Winnipeg’s Dru Brown passed for 307 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. It was his second 300-yard passing game. He was 10-of-15 on 10+ yard attempts, including 5-for-6 on 20+ yard attempts with two touchdowns.
• The Bombers’ next victory will be the 90^th of Mike O’Shea’s career.
• Calgary’s Micah Awe (67) is nine defensive tackles away from setting a new career-high.
• Montreal won its first meeting this season against Ottawa (19-12 in Week 1). The Alouettes have won their last seven games at TD Place.
• Five of the last six games between Montreal and Ottawa have been decided in the final three minutes.
• Of the 19 different quarterbacks who have started a game this season, Montreal’s Caleb Evans became the 13^th to register a victory last week. In 2022, 23 pivots made starts with 15 collecting a win.
• Shawn Lemon registered his third sack of the season last week. With 95 in his career, he is one shy of passing Hall of Famer Mike Walker (95.5) for 14^th all-time.
• This season, Ottawa has forced the most turnovers (27). The team has 14 interceptions through nine games; they had 11 last season.
• BC and Saskatchewan will play for a second time this season on Sunday. BC won the first matchup 19-9 in Week 7.
• BC (3-0) and Toronto (4-0) are undefeated in games decided in the final three minutes.
• Vernon Adams Jr. and Zach Collaros top the league with four 300+ passing yard games. Adams has a league best 71.4 completion percentage.
• In his past three games, Keon Hatcher has 18 catches for 317 yards.
• Sean Whyte leads the league in points scored (95).
• Since 2021, the Roughriders hold a 6-3 edge over BC. However, the Lions have won their last two meetings at Mosaic Stadium.
• In the Roughriders and Lions’ Week 7 game, Shawn Bane Jr. notched 10 receptions.