It was another big week last week for the Edmonton Elks, defeating Ottawa 40-17. It is also a long time coming since they have defeated any team with a blowout win. That was last week, and in pro sports, you automatically look ahead to your next scheduled opponent. In this case, it will be the BC Lions. Yes. The same BC Lions that defeated Edmonton in Week 5.
Game Details
Date: Friday, July 17th, 2026
Location: Commonwealth Stadium / Edmonton, Alberta
Kickoff time: 9:00 pm EST
Channel: TSN / RDS2
Stream: CFL +
Weather forecast at kickoff: 28°C with a mix of sun and clouds. There is a high risk of thunderstorms. It will feel like 35 °C with a wind gust of 26 km/h in an east direction. P.O.P will be 30%.
Odds
Spread: Edmonton Elks (- 2.5) – 118 / BC Lions (+2.5) – 104
Moneyline: Edmonton Elks – 150 / BC Lions + 125
Over / Under: Over 61.5 – 115 / Under 61.5 – 115
Via FanDuel Sportsbook
Game Notes
Nathan Rourke is a perfect 7-0 vs. Edmonton.
350.8 yards per game. It is what Nathan Rourke is averaging this season in passing yards.
Cody Fajardo is currently on a 7-game streak with at least 1 touchdown pass.
After consecutive games giving up 41 points in each game, the Leo’s allowed a season-low 24 points vs. Edmonton.
Vincent Blanchard has been successful in 14 field goal attempts this season.
Source: CFL
Edmonton Elks Depth Chart
BC Lions Depth Chart
Injury Reports
Players to watch: Edmonton Elks
RB – Justin Rankin
He is the most important player on the Edmonton offence. If we are jumping too ahead, he is on pace for 1,000–plus yards in rushing, along with 1,000 – plus yards in receiving.
LB – Joel Dublanko
He has made some big strides entering his 2nd year in the CFL since being drafted by the Green and Gold. Expect Joel to have a big impact with a high number of tackles.
DB – Tyrell Ford
The secondary will be tested at will. Tyrell Ford will be the byproduct to counter that effect. His vision and execution of a play are remarkable. Tyrell Ford has had some great games vs. BC during his days as a Blue Bomber in 2024.
Players to watch: BC Lions
QB – Nathan Rourke
There are only positives to say when it comes to Nathan Rourke. He has a great football IQ, instincts, and approach to the game. He is also unpredictable when he is in the pocket. He is quick, agile, and very smart to break down a defence.
DL – Mathieu Betts
He will go down in history as one of the best defensive linemen that have donned the BC colours. With 83 games under his belt, 146 tackles, and 46 quarterback sacks, it is impressive what Mathieu has accomplished. He has been the rock for the BC defensive line.
WR – Keon Hatcher Sr.
Do not let his touchdown total fool you with 0. That time will come. With 18 receptions and 318 receiving yards, followed by 17.8 yards after the catch, he can carve up the Edmonton secondary. He is Nathan Rourke’s best target this season.
Keys to an Edmonton victory:
Make it a long day for Nathan Rourke.
It’s not as easy. And most likely, he will still make a lot of big plays. At the end of the day, if the Edmonton front seven can contain Nathan Rourke, and the defensive backfield can create coverage sacks, or put him in a challenging situation, the Elks will be in a good situation. The Lions played a lot of catch-up games this season and were unsuccessful.
Be physical and set the tone.
The Edmonton defence has played some great complementary football. The Elks defence needs to be aggressive for as many drives as possible. They need to dictate the play at the line of scrimmage, and throw a wrench into the Lions' playbook.
Spread the ball.
Last week it was Javon Leake that took a few snaps to divert the offensive load from Justin Rankin. The duo worked like a charm. If they can stretch the BC defence throughout the game, it will be an advantage for Edmonton. This will also be a factor for the passing game to hit different receivers in stride.
Don’t be overconfident.
If you asked any football fan that Edmonton would be 4-1 entering week 7, I’m sure there would be a lot of doubters. With that said, it is a reality. The season is a marathon, and not a sprint. Stay focused, and pay attention to detail. After all, you are facing a team that contributed to your first loss this season.
Win the time of possession.
You will be playing against one of the best quarterbacks in the CFL. If you let the Lions sustain long drives, you are only asking for a beating. Nathan Rourke has owned Edmonton for a long time now. This Edmonton is a lot more polished and overall improved than in seasons past. Own the clock. Flip the script. It’s time for Edmonton to wear down the Lions defence and limit BC’s offensive possession.
Prediction
Final Score
The Elks will be challenged a lot in this game. There will be some mistakes in the game that could also hurt their chances. On that note, this is a revenge game for Edmonton. This will be the day when they finally beat the BC Lions in a long time.
Edmonton Elks: 31
BC Lions: 26
Expect the Edmonton running game to be a big piece in this game. Even if the numbers are not electrifying, the running game will make some big plays to chew up some important minutes off the clock. Sometimes the offensive stats will not speak volumes. In this case, this will be a game of football fundamentals for Edmonton. Keep it simple and effective.