Samwise CFL Newsletter
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Alexander Guides Alouettes Past Tiger-Cats 30-27 in Overtime Season Opener
Davis Alexander extended his unbeaten CFL regular-season record to 12-0 as the Montreal Alouettes rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30-27 in overtime Thursday, opening the 2026 season. Hamilton held a 24-10 lead after a Keric Wheatfall touchdown midway through the third quarter, but Montreal's defence forced a Bo Levi Mitchell interception returned for a score before Alexander drove the Als to two late touchdowns. Kicker Jose Maltos Diaz tied the game with a 29-yard field goal as time expired, then won it in overtime with a 17-yard boot after Montreal forced a fumble. Alexander finished 26 of 38 for 336 yards and two touchdowns.
Sources: TSN, 3DownNation, theScore
Castillo's Walk-Off Field Goal Delivers Bombers 30-28 Win Over Stampeders
Kicker Sergio Castillo drilled a 38-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to lift the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to a 30-28 win over the Calgary Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Friday, giving Winnipeg its first win in Calgary since the 2024 regular season. The Stampeders took a 28-27 lead with 1:04 remaining before Zach Collaros hit Ontaria Wilson for 27 yards to move the Bombers into range. Tim Whyte, Brady Oliveira, and Bryce Perkins scored touchdowns for Winnipeg. The game also marked the end of veteran kicker Rene Paredes's record 247 consecutive CFL appearances, with global draft pick Jude McAtamney of Derry, Northern Ireland, stepping in.
Sources: Global News, TSN
Fajardo Powers Elks to 29-21 Win as Dinwiddie's Ottawa Debut Marred by Penalties
Quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 23 of 34 passes for 266 yards and a touchdown as the Edmonton Elks opened the 2026 CFL season with a 29-21 victory over the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday at TD Place. Kicker Vincent Blanchard was perfect on five field goal attempts. Running back Justin Rankin rushed for 102 yards on 13 carries. For Ottawa, new head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie saw his debut marred by nine penalties for 100 yards, a concern he addressed after the game. Quarterback Jake Maier started for the Redblacks in their season opener. The win gave Edmonton its first season-opening victory since 2019.
Sources: TSN, 3DownNation
Week 1 Power Rankings: Hamilton Tumbles, BC Lions Remain Top Contender Despite Bye
A dramatic opening week has reshuffled the 2026 CFL power rankings, with Hamilton dropping sharply after squandering a 14-point third-quarter lead against Montreal, according to 3DownNation's updated rankings published Monday. The BC Lions remain near the top despite a Week 1 bye, with contributors widely viewing them as Grey Cup contenders. The Calgary Stampeders also fell after Winnipeg drove 104 yards in the final minute to steal the win. The Edmonton Elks climbed after snapping a streak of season-opening losses. The reigning champion Saskatchewan Roughriders open their title defence in Week 2 against BC.
Sources: 3DownNation
CFL Eyes Quebec City for 10th Franchise as Investors Meet Commissioner
The CFL is pursuing expansion to Quebec City, with investors already meeting CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston in Toronto, according to a TSN report published Tuesday. The league's preferred site is the former Colisee de Quebec, home of the old NHL Nordiques, with a tentative plan for a 25,000-seat open-air stadium estimated at $350 million. A source within the league expressed confidence that Quebec City expansion will happen. Commissioner Johnston has said he wants a tenth franchise by 2030 and has focused exclusively on Canadian markets, with Quebec City and Atlantic Canada identified as the only realistic options.
Sources: TSN
CFL Week 2 Injury Reports: Elks Missing Two D-Linemen for Season; Ottawa Short-Handed
Several CFL teams are managing notable absences heading into Week 2 of the 2026 season. The Edmonton Elks enter Week 2 without defensive linemen Brandon Barlow and Darien Newell, both lost for the season after suffering torn Achilles tendons in the preseason. The Ottawa Redblacks also navigated their opener without defensive lineman Greg Bell. Full Week 2 injury reports from all nine teams are published on CFL.ca ahead of this week's three matchups: Hamilton at Winnipeg on Thursday, Toronto at Montreal on Friday, and the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the BC Lions on Saturday.
Sources: CFL.ca, 3DownNation
Defending Champion Roughriders Open Home Schedule Saturday Against BC Lions
The defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders open their 2026 home schedule Saturday at Mosaic Stadium against the BC Lions, beginning their title defence in front of Rider Nation. Saskatchewan defeated BC en route to winning the 112th Grey Cup last November, with quarterback Trevor Harris earning MVP honours. The Roughriders had a bye in Week 1 while Montreal, Winnipeg, and Edmonton each earned opening wins. Head coach Corey Mace's squad faces questions on defence after losing several contributors in the off-season, though the core returns intact. Saskatchewan has not won back-to-back Grey Cups since the franchise's dynasty years decades ago.
Sources: TSN, Global News
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 2 pts (1-0-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)*
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-1-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-1-0)
* Bye Week 1
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 2 pts (1-0-0)
2. Edmonton Elks — 2 pts (1-0-0)
3. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)*
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)*
5. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-1-0)
* Bye Week 1
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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