THE SUNDAY SNAP — 2026 CFL WEEK 3
Updated: Oct 31
Your weekly tour around the Canadian Football League. Week 3 had it all: Bo Levi Mitchell at the peak of his powers, the end of Davis Alexander's perfect run, an instant classic between Saskatchewan and Calgary, and a return as spectacular as it was unpredictable for Chad Kelly. (Winnipeg was on a bye this week.)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 41, BC Lions 27
Billed as a showdown between the two finalists for the CFL's 2025 Most Outstanding Player award, the game quickly turned into a Bo Levi Mitchell showcase.
The Tiger-Cats veteran completed 15 of his 18 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns, tying his career high and posting a perfect quarterback rating for the second straight week. Hamilton, meanwhile, scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions to seize control early.
On the opening play from scrimmage, Mitchell hit Kiondré Smith on a 56-yard bomb.
Rookie receiver Maximilian Mang added two majors, while Kenny Lawler (four catches, 81 yards), Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Jake Dolegala also found the end zone.
The turning point came just before halftime. With the Lions in enemy territory, Stavros Katsantonis intercepted Nathan Rourke. On the very next play, Mitchell immediately punished BC by connecting with Lawler on a 49-yard touchdown, sending Hamilton to the locker room with a commanding lead.
Mitchell said his receivers make it "tough on DBs, makes it tough to run zone but no one is going to run man against us."
Missing four starting receivers due to injury, the Lions never managed to keep pace. Rourke still threw for 291 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Canadian rookie Nick Cenacle had a standout night with 120 yards and two touchdowns.
"We didn't do it," Rourke said. "I thought we moved the ball well all game, didn't finish enough with touchdowns and I'll take responsibility for that."
Hamilton improves to 2-1 ahead of its bye week. The Lions leave Ontario at 0-2.
Edmonton Elks 32, Montreal Alouettes 29 (OT)
Every streak comes to an end eventually.
After 13 consecutive wins as a regular-season starting quarterback, Davis Alexander finally suffered the first loss of his career as the Elks beat the Alouettes 32-29 in overtime.
The defeat also cost Alexander a chance to tie the CFL record of 14 straight wins to begin a starting career, a mark held by Bo Levi Mitchell since 2016.
"The record is what the record is," Alexander said. "I'm not glad to have lost, but I'm glad to get that record talk out of the way. Let's just go play 15 more."
It was Cody Fajardo — his former mentor during Montreal's 2023 Grey Cup run — who stood in his way. The veteran threw for 231 yards before punching in the winning touchdown himself on a six-yard run in overtime.
"It was pretty impressive the way that we gutted it out," Fajardo said. "We're a gritty team, we're going to find ways to win here."
The real engine of the Alberta offence, however, was Justin Rankin. The running back piled up 179 rushing yards and two explosive touchdowns of 36 and 47 yards.
Montreal tried to fight back. Tyson Philpot caught eight passes for 120 yards, and Alexander found Tyler Snead on a 34-yard touchdown late in the game. José Maltos Díaz forced overtime with a 31-yard field goal as time expired.
The outcome ultimately came down to a controversial sequence when Rankin fumbled in overtime. After video review, officials ruled that Edmonton had been the last team to touch the ball before it went out of bounds. Three plays later, Fajardo dove into the end zone.
"That ball on the sidelines, if it gets tapped out our way, we win the ball game right there," conceded Montreal head coach Jason Maas.
Edmonton starts the season 2-0 for the first time since 2019. Montreal slips to 2-1.
Saskatchewan Roughriders 40, Calgary Stampeders 37 (2OT)
If you had to pick the game of the week, this one would win going away.
In a duel that stretched into a second overtime period, the Roughriders withstood Calgary's comeback to win 40-37 and preserve their perfect record.
Trevor Harris threw three touchdown passes while Tommy Stevens scored two majors on the ground, including the game-winner in double overtime.
Saskatchewan looked headed for a comfortable victory. Harris found Kian Schaffer-Baker for two touchdowns and KeeSean Johnson for a third major, building a 31-17 lead for the visitors.
But Calgary refused to quit.
On the final play of the first half, Tyreik McAllister returned a missed field goal 120 yards for a spectacular touchdown that completely revived the Stampeders.
In particularly difficult, windy conditions at McMahon Stadium, Calgary gradually erased the deficit before pushing the game to overtime, then to double overtime.
Saskatchewan had the last word, though, thanks to its ground power and Stevens' composure near the goal line.
The Roughriders remain unbeaten at 2-0. Calgary, which had enjoyed a bye in Week 2, falls to 0-2.
Toronto Argonauts 44, Ottawa Redblacks 24
Four touchdown passes. Four interceptions. One win.
If someone was looking for a perfectly Chad Kelly way to return to the CFL, this was probably it.
Out since his serious injury in the 2024 East Final, Kelly made a noticeable comeback, completing 25 of his 32 passes for 424 yards and four touchdowns.
"The first (win) feels good," Kelly said. "Definitely builds confidence, right? I've got to clean up a lot of things, but we all stuck together."
Toronto struck immediately when James Ceasar intercepted Jake Maier's first pass. Moments later, Kelly turned the takeaway into a touchdown to Makai Polk.
Kevin Mital had an exceptional night with 178 yards on eight receptions. Damonte Coxie, Tyler Kahmann and David Ungerer III also caught touchdown passes.
Ottawa picked off Kelly four times but was never able to fully capitalize. Maier finished with 281 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions despite 129 yards from rookie receiver Ayden Eberhardt.
The game also marked Mike Miller's first win as Argonauts head coach.
"I don't really love playing my friends," Miller admitted after beating Ryan Dinwiddie, now at the helm of the Redblacks. "I like being on a team, but we understand this is the business we're in."
Toronto finally gets in the win column at 1-1. Ottawa drops to 0-2.
The Week's Trends
Hamilton rediscovers its offensive identity
After a shaky start, the Tiger-Cats have put up 78 points over their last two games. With Bo Levi Mitchell in complete command and an especially dangerous receiving corps, Hamilton is starting to look like a serious contender in the East.
Edmonton isn't the same team anymore
The Elks are already 2-0 for the first time since 2019. More impressive still, they are finding different ways to win, whether through Justin Rankin's ground game or Cody Fajardo's experience. As Fajardo put it, "this isn't the same Edmonton Elks team from a couple of years ago. The standard has changed here."
The champions show up
Even without delivering their best performance, the Roughriders found a way to win. That is often what separates good teams from true contenders.
Around the League
Notes:
Davis Alexander's streak as a regular-season starter ended at 13 wins.
Bo Levi Mitchell posted a perfect quarterback rating for the second straight week.
Chad Kelly threw four touchdown passes and four interceptions in the same win.
Edmonton (2-0) and Saskatchewan (2-0) are the CFL's last two unbeaten teams.
Looking Ahead
Week 4 opens on Thursday, June 25 when the Elks (2-0) visit the Blue Bombers (1-1), rested coming off their bye.
On Friday, June 26, the Argonauts (1-1) travel to Regina to face the Roughriders (2-0).
On Saturday, June 27, the Lions (0-2) finally play their home opener — in Kelowna — against the Stampeders (0-2).
The week wraps up on Sunday, June 28 with the Redblacks (0-2) visiting Montreal to take on the Alouettes (2-1).
