3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 2

Photo: Raphael Williams-Claudio/RWC Photography/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

Week 2 of the 2026 CFL regular-season has come and gone, featuring three thrilling, high-flying games across the country.

Before we get into Week 3, which will feature the first four-game slate of the year, let’s take quick a look back at the standout performers, plays, and games from Week 2.

These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2026 season. Enjoy.

Offensive player of the week: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes

The University of Calgary product is off to a red-hot start to the season, winning this award for the second-straight week. Philpot caught nine passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns to help lift the Alouettes to 2-0 and made yet another sensational catch in the process (more on that in a moment). The native of Delta, B.C. is up to 269 yards and three touchdown through just two games, raising the question: if he stays healthy, what exactly is Philpot’s ceiling for 2026?

Honourable mention: QB Trevor Harris, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Defensive player of the week: DB Antoine Brooks Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders

The defences didn’t exactly shine in Week 2 as all six teams scored at least 27 points. With that said, Brooks Jr. shone at strong-side linebacker, where he’s taken over the starting role from free-agent departure C.J. Reavis. The former Super Bowl champion made a game-high 13 defensive tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass knockdown to help the Roughriders knock-off the B.C. Lions in a game that was eerily similar to last year’s West Final.

Honourable mention: DL Julian Howsare, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Special teams player of the week: LB Micah Awe, Montreal Alouettes

The CFL’s reigning top tackler isn’t a full-time starter anymore but he made a massive play on special teams without which the Alouettes may not have won on Friday night. Awe blocked a punt from John Haggerty with a little over three minutes left in the fourth quarter and his team leading 24-23. Arthur Hamlin jumped on the ball in the end zone to give Montreal a 30-23 lead, providing some much-needed breathing room. Awe also made one defensive tackle in the game.

Honourable mention: LB Aubrey Miller Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders

Breakout player of the week: RB Larry Rountree III, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The former sixth-round NFL draft pick rushed 23 times for 124 yards to help the Tabbies hand Winnipeg just its eighth regular-season home loss since 2021. Rountree III was working behind a shuffled offensive line that opened several holes, though he also generated a ton of yardage after first contact. If he continues breaking tackles like he did in Week 2, it won’t be long before the Missouri product becomes a household name.

Honourable mention: REC Tyler Kahmann, Toronto Argonauts

Offensive line of the week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Trevor Reid, Brandon Revenberg, Liam Dobson, Nathaniel Dumoulin-Duguay, and Quinton Barrow were sensational in the hostile confines of Princess Auto Stadium, helping Larry Rountree III record his first career 100-yard rushing game and allowing only one sack. Bo Levi Mitchell had all the time he needed to shred Winnipeg’s secondary, as he completed 19-of-24 pass attempts for 287 yards and three touchdowns.

Honourable mention: Saskatchewan Roughriders

Coach of the week: HC Scott Milanovich, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The veteran bench boss preached the importance of shutting down Brady Oliveira all week long and his team responded, limiting the former M.O.P. to eight carries for 32 yards. Hamilton was great in all three phases as they got a rare win in Winnipeg, which is all the more impressive considering the heartbreaking loss the Tabbies suffered against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 1.

Honourable mention: OC Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes

UNBELIEVABLE

Tyson Philpot (@Tysonphilpot) is on a different plane of existence right now!

The Canadian has his second Catch of the Year candidate in as many weeks.#CFL #AlsMTL #Alouettes pic.twitter.com/llDkzyuBSo

— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) June 13, 2026

Best play of the week: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes

It takes a special receiver to catch the ball when they’re not remotely open. This is exactly what happened late in the first half at Percival Molson Stadium, when Philpot ran a comeback route and Davis Alexander threw the ball directly at defensive back DaShaun Amos. The veteran target reached his hands around the defender, batted the ball in the air, then managed to snag it while maintaining his footing. Amos was charged with pass interference but the penalty was declined as Philpot generated 23 yards despite the infraction.

Honourable mention: REC Keric Wheatfall, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Worst play of the week: HC Buck Pierce, B.C. Lions

The Lions made a disastrous challenge on Saturday. Late in the third quarter, Pierce threw his challenge flag after it appeared Saskatchewan receiver Dhel Duncan-Busby may have been stripped of the ball by Tyson Russell. This made no sense as three Roughriders piled on to recover the loose ball without a B.C. player in sight. This challenge was never going to result in a turnover, begging the question why Pierce bothered throwing the flag at all.

Honourable mention: DB Tevaughn Campbell, Saskatchewan Roughriders

Best game of the week: B.C. Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders

This game was essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the 2025 West Final, but it was still worth watching every second. Justin McInnis was excellent against his former team, Trevor Harris was dialled into his brilliant receiving corps, and there were two late lead changes that caused all kinds of drama. There’s a budding rivalry between these two teams that will be fun to follow as they meet again in Week 12 and Week 17.

Honourable mention: Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes

Worst game of the week: Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

It says a lot about the quality of Week 2 that this was the worst offering, since it was a really good game. The atmosphere at Princess Auto Stadium was electric, both offences were sensational, and there were big plays from Keric Wheatfall and Nic Demski. The only knock on this game was the fact that Hamilton held a two-score lead for all but 90 seconds in the second half, which meant the result never felt strongly in doubt.

Honourable mention: Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes