CFL Week 5: Edmonton Remains Lone Undefeated Team
The CFL features four key matchups in four consecutive days for the second straight week!
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CFL WEEK 5 PREVIEW
With one month in the books, the cream is starting to rise to the top in the CFL. All Access Football previews all four games on tap for the Fourth of July weekend, including the Edmonton Elks who are attempting to go 4-0 for the first time since 2017!
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THURSDAY: TORONTO (2-1) @ CALGARY (1-2)
This matchup is shaping up to be a high-scoring affair, as both offenses put up 40-burgers a week ago. In fact, Toronto has put up 84 points in back-to-back wins over Saskatchewan and Ottawa.
It was a complete victory for the Argos over Saskatchewan last week 40-34, led by top performer Chad Kelly, who completed 23-of-30 passes, for 321 yards and two touchdowns (one interception). Toronto cornerback Tarvarus McFadden added a key interception (the first one thrown by Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris on 196 pass attempts), while Janarion Grant returned the opening kickoff for 68 yards. All-CFL kicker Lirim Hajrullahu connected on field goals from 51, 24, 47 and 38 yards.
For Calgary, quarterback Vernon Adams torched his former team a week ago, leading the Stampeders to a surprising 41-33 road win over the Lions. Adams completed 19-of-27 passes, for 229 yards and three touchdowns (no interceptions), connecting with wideout Tevin Jones on a tipped-ball, momentum-changing 56-yard touchdown pass to help provide Calgary with their first victory of the year.
Calgary enters this matchup as the favorite (-1.5) over Toronto (57.5).
FRIDAY: SASKATCHEWAN (2-1) @ OTTAWA (0-3)
The defending champs have an opportunity to shovel dirt onto the grave of Ottawa, as the REDBLACKS attempt to avoid falling in a hole too deep to crawl out from. The Riders tied for a league-best 6-3 road record in 2025.
Saskatchewan received another valiant effort from quarterback Trevor Harris last week, as he completed 34-of-43 passes, for 409 yards and two touchdowns (no interceptions) during their loss to Toronto. Riders defensive end Mike Rose picked up his second sack of the season and despite the loss, Saskatchewan remains one of the top teams to beat.
Ottawa quarterback Jake Maeir bounced back with a strong second half last week but fell just short on the REDBLACKS late comeback attempt. Maeir completed 27-of-38 passes, for 336 yards and three touchdowns (one interception). It was probably enough to hold onto the starting job, for now. Newly signed veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson remains on the back-burner for a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ situation. REDBLACKS return man Kalil Pimpleton shined with 286 kick return yards in Week 4, including a 94-yard kick return for touchdown.
Saskatchewan enters this matchup as the favorite (-5.5) over Ottawa (56.5).
SATURDAY: EDMONTON (3-0) @ BC (0-3)
Edmonton is steamrolling through the first month of the season, as they attempt to begin 4-0 for the first time in nearly a decade. Meanwhile, BC entered the year with big expectations but still seeks their first victory.
Edmonton continues to ride red-hot running back Justin Rankin, who exceeded the 100-yard barrier once again in Week 4, forcing seven missed tackles and added a score during the Elks 23-18 win over Winnipeg. Elks signal-caller Cody Fajardo completed 25-of-35 passes, for 267 yards and hit wideout TJ Luther for the game-winning touchdown. Rankin now leads the CFL with 387 rushing yards through three games.
For BC, the team has placed a heavy burden on quarterback Nathan Rourke to carry the load. A more balanced offensive attack could help, as the team ran the ball just ten times in last week. Rourke responded with 462 passing yards, completing 32-of-42 passes, for three touchdowns (one interception). The Lions pass-rush has stirred the pot, racking up four sacks a week ago. BC pass-rusher Folarin Orimolade and defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings anchor the defense up front, each had one sack.
Edmonton enters this matchup as the favorite (-1.5) over BC (57.5).
SUNDAY: WINNIPEG (1-2) @ HAMILTON (2-1)
The Blue Bombers and Tiger-Cats will meet for the second time this season in Week 5. These two teams met back in Week 2, as Hamilton came away with a 37-27 win.
Winnipeg has not won since opening week and has scored the fewest points in the league (75). Blue Bombers veteran pass-rusher Willie Jefferson has appeared rejuvenated, applying nine quarterback pressures last week against Edmonton and collected his first sack of the 2026 season. The 35-year old defender now has 78 sacks for his career. Fellow linebacker Tony Jones is fourth in the CFL with 21 tackles.
Hamilton comes off the bye week on a two-game win streak, led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who is trending towards his third straight 5,000-yard passing campaign (878 yards through three games). Tiger-Cats defensive back Starvos Katsantonis continues to play coy into baiting opposing quarterbacks with two interceptions early on this season, he had six a year ago.
Hamilton enters this matchup as the favorite (-3.5) over Winnipeg (57.5).
BYE WEEK: MONTREAL ALOUETTES (3-1)
The Montreal Alouettes enter Week 5 on a bye but wideout Tyson Philpot deserves mention for his 198 yard performance last week. The Alouettes playmaker hauled in 12 catches and converted seven first downs, guiding Montreal over Ottawa in a 37-35 nail-biter. It was the 12th consecutive win for the Alouettes over the REDBLACKS, as Philpot now leads the CFL with 587 receiving yards through four games.
CFL POWER RANKINGS
RANK | TEAM | RECORD
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-1)
Edmonton Elks (3-0)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-1)
Montreal Alouettes (3-1)
Toronto Argonauts (2-1)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-2)
Calgary Stampeders (1-2)
BC Lions (0-3)
Ottawa REDBLACKS (0-3)