CFL Week 3 Recap: Alberta Wins & Riders Remain Unbeaten

Usually, the third week of a football season officially separates the men from the boys, the contenders from the pretenders, the wolves from the sheep. That is often true in an NFL season (which is now 17 games), and in a normal CFL season (which has 18 games). However, this is not a normal CFL season. This is a 14-game season this year, making the third week immensely vital to both of Alberta's franchises: the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Elks. Both teams entered Week 3 at 0-2 and needed wins badly, or it would be a long season for the clubs.

The Elks kicked off Week 3 in Vancouver, as they faced the BC Lions, who were 1-1. This was BC's third straight divisional game, as well as their home opener, but it was a sluggish start for the Lions. After leading 4-3 following the first 15, the Lions' offense shut down while the Elks racked up 15 unanswered points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The Elks led 18-4, but the Lions found their groove afterwards. A field goal, a touchdown (missed two-pointer), and a second field goal put them within two, but they would never surpass Edmonton, who added another field goal and ended up winning 21-16, their first win of the season and their first as the Edmonton Elks.

The Stampeders' turn to get back on track came a day later, their third straight home game of the season. This time, the Stamps faced off against the Montréal Alouettes, whose season started with a Week 2 win over the Elks. Though the Als led after one, it was all Stamps for the rest of the way, as they had a 28-14 lead late in the fourth. However, an Als single and a touchdown ended up cutting their deficit to six points, and they would have the ball once more with a chance to go all the way. Vernon Adams' pass to Eugene Lewis ended up just short; Lewis' feet were in the end zone, but not the ball, and as a result, the Stampeders held on by the skin of their teeth to win 28-22. For Calgary, this was their first win with Jake Maier starting at QB over Bo-Levi Mitchell, who had been struggling during their first two games.

The Toronto Argonauts looked to avenge their 20-7 loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on the previous week, and were successful in doing so in front of their home crowd. The game was the first in an Eastern city in this 2021 season, and it was all Argos, under the leadership of QB Nick Arbuckle. The Argonauts dominated most of the first half with a 13-0 lead, but the Bombers finally got on the board when Arbuckle's fumble was picked up and returned all the way. The Argos' lead was down to two points, but a late touchdown before the halftime mark brought it up to eight. Toronto remained vigilant in the 2nd half, and the end result saw the Argos win 30-23 over the defending Grey Cup Champions. The Argos handed the Bombers' their first loss of the 2021 season, and improved to 2-1.

Week 3 ended in Regina with the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting the Ottawa Redblacks, who were coming off a bye. The Riders entered Week 3 averaging 30+ points per game in this young season, but it was their defense that led the way for the team, as they were relentless against the Redblacks. Both teams displayed strong defensive play entering halftime, which saw the Riders up 9-3, but in the 2nd half, Ottawa's defense blinked first, and it ended with the Riders winning 23-10. The win keeps the Riders undefeated; in fact, they are the only unblemished team left this season with the Bombers' loss.

So here's how things stand after three weeks. In the West Division, the Roughriders lead at 3-0, while the Blue Bombers drop to 2-1. The Lions and both Alberta teams are 1-2, with the Elks as the third place team due to their win over BC and having the best division record among the three teams (1-0). In the East Division, the Argonauts lead at 2-1, the Alouettes and Redblacks are both 1-1, and the Tiger-Cats (who were idle this week) remain winless at 0-2.

Week 4 will feature four games in four days, kicking off on Thursday, August 26 with the Toronto Argonauts hosting the Edmonton Elks. On Friday, August 27, the Montréal Alouettes will host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the former's home opener, as well as the first East Division game of the season. The Ottawa Redblacks will play their home opener on Saturday, August 28 against the BC Lions, and on Sunday, August 29, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will host the Calgary Stampeders. The unbeaten Saskatchewan Roughriders are idle in Week 4.

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