When the 2024 CFL Season kicked off on Thursday, June 6th, 2024 all football fans had questions about each team.
Would the BC Lions be there in the big dance as they are hosting the 2024 Grey Cup and possibly play in front of the home crowd? Will Winnipeg continue their dominance and play with a chip on their shoulders? Will Saskatchewan be competitive and make the playoffs? Can Edmonton finally turn a corner and punch a ticket into the playoffs? What about Ottawa? Will they make the playoffs for the first time since 2018? Can the Toronto Argonauts win the east, and head to the Grey Cup? Will Montreal become the next team to take over the league by storm? Can Calgary shoot for 19 playoff seasons in a row? Will Hamilton get back into the playoff mix and make noise?
Hello football fans, welcome to the 2024 CFL Season in review.
East Division
Montreal Alouettes
The Montreal Alouettes entered the 2024 CFL season on a big high.
After storming through the second half of the 2023 season, they had their ultimate underdog story in beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Semi-Final, manhandling the Toronto Argonauts East Final, and shocking the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Grey Cup.
The Alouettes were dominant on both sides of the ball with a combination of physical running by RB Walter Fletcher (764 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 682 receiving yards, and 3 receiving touchdowns) and tough defence-led LB Tyrice Beverette (102 tackles, 5 sacks, and 2 interceptions), LB Darnell Sankey (107 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception).
The Montreal Alouettes would continue their winning formula with a 12-5-1 record, good for first place in the East Division.
Toronto Argonauts
For the Toronto Argonauts, the 150th Anniversary Season did not end well in 2023. Although they had an impressive 16-2 record, with being 9-0 at home, it was the beating they took in the East Final from the Montreal Alouettes with a 38-17 defeat.
Unfortunately for the Toronto Argonauts, they would begin their season without the services of quarterback Chad Kelly, as he was to serve the 9-game suspension due to violating the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.
The Argos would turn to Cameron Dukes as their signal caller. Although Cameron Dukes did enter the season with no games under his belt as a starter, he still contributed collectively by keeping the games close and putting the Argos in a good position to win games.
For the most part, the special teams, defence, and running game were the force behind the ship for the boatman during this stretch with the absence of Chad Kelly.
When it was all set and done, the Double Blue was good enough to clinch 2nd place in the East Division with a 10-8 record. It was not perfect, but the 2024 Argos were resilient down the stretch after being outmatched in a game in week 14 in Ottawa (47-21 loss). After that humiliating loss, and sitting at a 6-6 record, the Double Blue would go 4-2 for the remainder of the season.
Ottawa REDBLACKS
Ottawa fans would love nothing more than to clinch a playoff spot in 2024 and enjoy the beauty of football in late fall, along with being relevant in the conversation as a Grey Cup contender.
Unfortunately for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the injury bug among quarterbacks has been the norm too often in the Nation’s Capital. Pro football can be unforgiving. In the case of Ottawa, the injury bug among quarterbacks has been too much of a plague. The talent has always been there on the Ottawa REDBLACKS roster. If they can have Dru Brown healthy, they have a shot at finally breaking the curse.
For the first time since 2018, the Ottawa REDBLACKS clinched a playoff spot. They would complete the season with a 9-8-1 record. More importantly, the injuries to past Ottawa quarterbacks were not as severe as in years past.
Dru Brown would complete the 2024 season with 17 of a possible 21 games played. More importantly, Dru Brown displayed an impressive 3,959 passing yards, with 18 touchdown passes, followed by 10 interceptions. Although there was room for improvement, Dru Brown did carry his team on his back at key moments of the season. And for the first time in a while, Ottawa fans were content.
The one key about the team as a whole was the lack of wins on the road. The REDBLACKS were 7-1-1 at home and only 2-7 on the road.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
If the Tiger-Cats could change one thing this season, it would be consistency. It has been a common trend in the last three seasons. Not since their impressive 15-3 season back in 2019, has the Steel City been as consistent. With 2020 being a cancelled season, they would have a record of 8-6 (2021), 8-10 (2022), 8-10 (2023). The problem in the last three seasons was a combination of three things:
1-Start off strong, but lose down the stretch.
2-Start off bad, and be strong down the stretch.
3-Unable to close out games or blow a lead.
To add to the inconsistency, the trend will be present in 2024. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats would complete their respected 2024 CFL Season with a record of 7-11. Offense was not the issue with Hamilton, as they scored a total of 495 points. The problem was the 557 points allowed, which led the league in most points allowed. The offence wins you games, but the defence wins you championships. There would be no postseason experience for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024.
West Division
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The pride of the West Division. Some fans want Winnipeg defeated, while others enjoy the Blue Bombers’ approach to every game.
And why not?
What GM Kyle Walters created here was a team for the ages. The depth that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have is second to none. And it did not happen overnight. This project was a foundation that was built piece by piece since 2013. It did come with a lot of ups and downs before the up, was a common occurrence.
Add in the fact that the Blue Bombers felt that they should have won the last two Grey Cups, Winnipeg was entering the 2024 CFL Season on a mission.
Things did not go as planned after the first eight games of the season. The Bombers were a 2-6 ball club. But things changed after the 2-6 record. After their week 8 loss at BMO Field in Toronto, the Blue Bombers would rally with an eight-game winning streak.
They completed the regular season with an 11-7 record, good for first place in the West Division.
It might not have been the Winnipeg of the past blowing out teams in the regular season, but the Bombers turned it on at the right time with the stingy defence that we are all used to seeing, followed by the powerful running game. When you have the likes of Brady Olivera in the backfield, it’s a good problem to have. Unfortunately for Winnipeg, star receiver Dalton Schoen was missed for the season after a week-3 injury.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Similar to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in recent years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have experienced the same trend. The Roughriders had a record of 6-12 (2022), followed by another 6-12 record (2023). In both of these seasons, it would be a similar 6-2 start, only to collapse for the remainder of each respective season.
Changes were made when DC Corey Mace left the Toronto Argonauts and took the job as the Head Coach in Saskatchewan. During free agency, Argos fan favorite A.J. Ouellette also signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders adding more depth to the running game.
Unfortunately for Saskatchewan fans, it appeared the same trend was in as it was in the past. After being 5-1, the Saskatchewan faithful would see the team fall to a 0-7-1 record. On a positive note, they would finish strong winning the last three regular season games and completing the season with a 9-8-1 record. They would finish second place in the West Division.
BC Lions
Anytime you are awarded a Grey Cup, the pressure will always be there when you can play in front of your home fans.
Since Amar Doman purchased the BC Lions in August 2021, he has been an owner who has given back to the community in British Columbia, and Vancouver as a whole. Since his purchase, fielding a team that can win a Grey Cup has been a priority.
On August 19th, 2024 it was announced that Nathan Rourke would be returning to the CFL, and join the BC Lions after his two-year stint in the NFL.
With the BC Lions having an up-and-down season at the halfway point, Nathan Rourke was slotted in as QB1 to run the offence. The move did not pay off as Nathan Rourke would struggle to find his rhythm after a two-year absence from the CFL.
The Leos would finish with a 9-9 record, and good for third in the West Division.
There was a lot of talk about having starting QB Vernon Adams Jr. continue the role as the starter, even with the arrival of Nathan Rourke (Vernon Adams Jr. injury included). Moreover, the struggles did not go unnoticed as they appeared to be a football squad that would be exposed come playoff time.
Edmonton Elks
The Edmonton Elks started the season with a 0-7 record. To make matters worse, they were all winnable games minus the 44-28 blowout by Hamiton in week 7. This was a team that could have been also 6-1 during this stretch. Most of the problems came in the form of taking bad penalties at the wrong time, turning over the ball late in the game, and blowing a lead late in the game.
With Chris Jones being on the hot seat, he was later relieved of his duties. OC Jarious Jackson will now be moved to Head Coach, and Canadian QB Tre Ford will start.
On August 15th, 2024, and for the first time in their 75th Anniversary of the Edmonton Eskimos / Elks franchise, Larry Thompson was unveiled as the new team’s owner. The team has always been a community-owned team since their inception in 1949.
Since the announcement of the departure of Chris Jones, the Elks would go 7-4 down the stretch ending with a 7-11 record. It was too little too late for the Edmonton Elks to have the benefit of playing the playoffs.
Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders have been the benchmark for making the playoffs for close to two decades. The question was are they able to continue this streak? With the West Division loaded with talent, and the Stampeders regressing, it was a tough challenge for the Calgary Stampeders as they continued the streak in 2023 barely making the playoffs with a 6-win season.
Long losing streaks at the wrong time sealed the Calgary Stampeders’ fate in 2024. Similar to the Edmonton Elks, they also lost many close games where the streak could have been active this season.
The Calgary Stampeders would complete the 2024 CFL Season with a 5-12-1 record. They would finish 5th in the West Division.
The Playoffs
East Semi-Final
Ottawa REDBLACKS at Toronto Argonauts
The Stage was set for the CFL East Semi-Final at BMO Field in Toronto.
Two teams that had something to prove. For the Toronto Argonauts, to lose this game, changes will most likely be made to the management and the roster. For the Ottawa REDBLACKS, they were playing with house money and would love nothing more to shock Toronto on their own turf.
In a game that had a lot of back-and-forth football, the Toronto Argonauts were victorious over the Ottawa REDBLACKS by a score of 58-38. It took a while for the Boatman to get into a rhythm, but the Argos’ defence came up big at the right time to seal a victory.
The one area of concern for the Argos was the time of possession of Ottawa (39:17), and Toronto (20:43). If they were heading into Montreal, it is not something that would be in their favour if they were to replicate this performance.
West Semi-Final
BC Lions at Saskatchewan Roughriders
Football is always special when it is played in the Canadian Prairies. On that note, the stage was set for the West Division Semi-Final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders won with a convincing 28-19 victory over the BC Lions. The score might not dictate it, but this was the game where Saskatchewan’s’ defence stood tall with 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions. They made it a long day for the visiting Leos in which their date to host a Grey Cup has now been dissolved.
East Final
Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes
The 2024 CFL Playoffs could not have had the perfect script in many variations. You have the number 1 seed in the east, playing the number 2 seed in the east. You have a natural historical rivalry with Montreal vs. Toronto no matter what sport they play.
Out west, you have the number 1 seed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, playing the number 2 seed in the Saskatchewan Roughriders. You have two football teams that hate each other. Add the element that this is a playoff game where the winner goes to the Grey Cup, and you have a Labour Day Classic / Banjo Bowl on steroids.
With a capacity crowd at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, the Montreal faithful were loud and proud to do anything to get the Argos off their game vocally.
Offensively, both teams struggled to move the ball. The flow of the game was that both defences were reading the plays and were on their game halting both the running and passing games respectively.
The Argos answered the bell for the game’s first touchdown when Benji Franklin intercepted a multi-tipped pass by Montreal QB Cody Fajardo with a 23-yard pick-six to the end zone.
The flow of the game consisted of a lot of fumbles and interceptions, won predominately by the Argos for the overall turnover battle. And as always, the game would be decided in the 4th quarter.
Montreal answered back in the 4th quarter with 12 points. With the clock not to their advantage, Cody Fajardo tossed a pass for a two-point conversion at 1:56 left in the game. It would be picked off leveraging Toronto back with possession and the clock in their favor.
At the clock expired, the Toronto Argonauts won a nail-biter by a score of 30-28. For Toronto, it was a revenge game from last year.
Unfortunately, late in the 3rd quarter, Toronto QB Chad Kelly suffered a break to two parts on his right leg. Nick Arbuckle came into relief and guided the Argos to victory for the remainder of the game.
West Final
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The stage was set for a high-octane match between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers set the tone via the running game. The Bombers accumulated a total of 197 yards on the ground, compared to the 77 yards collected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Saskatchewan Roughriders had no answers in stopping the running game let by Brady Olivera (120 yards), Terry Wilson (51 yards), Nik Demski (14 yards), and Zach Collaros (10 yards).
When the passing game was involved, Zach Collaros connected with Kenny Lawler with 4 receptions, 177 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns. Winnipeg broke down their opponent by the pass, run, and solid defence.
For Saskatchewan, Trevor Harris’s big target was Kian Schaffer-Baker for 162 receiving yards. The running game as a whole collected only 77 yards, with A.J. Oullette contributing the most with 50 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
In the end, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were too much for the Saskatchewan Roughriders to win the West Division. Winnipeg walked away with a 38-22 victory.
The 111th Grey Cup
For the first time since 2011, the world’s attention was on Vancouver, British, Columbia as the beautiful City of Vancouver was the site of the 111th edition of the Grey Cup.
The West Champions Winnipeg Blue Bombers playing in the Grey Cup for a fifth straight season versus the East Champions the Toronto Argonauts.
The odds makers were not too kind to the Toronto Argonauts who appeared a 10.5-point underdog and were reduced to a 9.5-point underdog as Grey Cup Week was in progress.
It was a clash of two titans who deserved to be present in the Grey Cup as their respected playoff games were apparent. It was also the same two teams who met for the second time in three seasons.
The first quarter was as expected. Both teams played great defence by stalling offensive drives and forcing punts.
The Argos opened the scoring with a 13-yard field goal by Lirim Hajrullahu at 7:56 left on the clock. The Blue Bombers would counter with 00:18 left in the first quarter with a short yardage play by quarterback Terry Wilson on a 1–yard run. The Bombers would end the 1st quarter with a 7-3 lead.
In the 2nd quarter, the tempo would repeat itself. Both teams exchanged only field goals for the only point of the board. However, it was now part of the game where both defences were more in tune with the game and made plays when it mattered most. The Argos would convert on two field goals, while the Blue Bombers would convert on a field goal. The score at halftime would be Winnipeg 10, Toronto 9. A key moment occurred with Winnipeg who engineered a long drive of 5:17 by Zach Collaros. Defensive lineman Robbie Smith was able to crack through the stingy Winnipeg offensive line with a big sack at the 7:07 mark at the Argos 12-yard line preventing a possible touchdown. Winnipeg would then settle for a field goal. Toronto would counter with a drive spanning 3:36. This would also result in a sack by none other, than Willie Jefferson on Nick Arbuckle. The second quarter was more open as both teams were able to move the ball and create great plays. It was also a quarter where both defences made exceptional plays when it mattered most, including an interception by Benjie Franklin stalling a potential long drive by Winnipeg.
After the halftime show, led by the Jonas Brothers, it was back to football.
The game now had a sense that this could have the capability of a special game for the ages. It was a combination of great ball movements, great special teams play, along none other than a solid defensive showdown.
And it did not disappoint.
The Argonauts were finally able to punch one in the end zone with a fantastic play by 2024 Argonauts draft pick in wide receiver Kevin Mital at the 6:19 mark of the third quarter. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were only able to score a 40-yard field goal at the 2:13 mark. Aside from the back-and-forth defense, and Willie Jefferson pressuring the Argonaut’s offensive line, two turning points occurred in the 3rd quarter.
Zach Collaros injured his throwing hand after making contact on an Argonauts helmet with his follow-through on a play. The result would be devastating in that this affected the index finger with a deep cut. After medical staff attended to the injury, Zach Collaros would wear a glove on his throwing hand. The Argos were up 17-10 when this occurred.
The other was a blocked punt at the Toronto 46-yard line at the end of the 3rd quarter. With the ball now at Toronto after a mad scramble for a loose ball, Winnipeg would be penalized for interference on the recovery at the Argos 27-yard line.
With the Argos now obtaining possession from their 27-yard line, Willie Jefferson comes up huge for Winnipeg with an interception. The Argo’s defence would counter by not giving to the big play, and forcing Winnipeg for a successful 23-yard field goal.
Things then turned in Toronto’s favour with multiple plays on defence. The remainder of the 4th quarter was a defensive display like no other.
The Argo’s defence took full control of the remainder of the Grey Cup with a combination of pass deflections, pressure on Zach Collaros, and interceptions.
At the 6:49 mark, Dashawn Amos would pick off Collaros at the Toronto 49-yard line, and return it 45 yards to the Winnipeg 16-yard line. The Argos would then convert on a 14-yard field goal.
On Winnipeg’s next possession, it was Robert Priester who intercepted Zach Collaros’s pass and returned it 61 yards for a touchdown.
When it was all set and done, the Toronto Argonauts would complete their end-of-the-year journey with a convincing 41-24 victory and shell-shock the mighty Winnipeg Blue Bombers. For Winnipeg, fans were most likely perplexed on why Winnipeg would not lean more on the running due to the hand injury to Zach Collaros. Winnipeg appeared to abandon the running game which was effective at key moments of the game, and did expose the Argos defense. More importantly for Argos fans, and CFL fans as a whole, 3rd string QB Nick Arbuckle played a game for the ages dissecting the Blue Bombers’ defence with simple plays. For a QB that had little playing time this year, and who was also cut during the season, Nick Arbuckle did what Jeff Hostetler did for the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXV defeating the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in relief of injured QB Phill Simms when he was injured in the 1990 NFC Championship Game. It might also have a little flair of Kurt Warner, as Kurt Warner and Nick Arbuckle were journeymen in their respective fields.
Final Thoughts
The 2024 CFL Season was a special one as is the case in most seasons. It is a trend in the CFL that no lead is safe. Comebacks, underdogs, and excitement are pretty much the ingredients in the CFL. To all you fans out there, it was a great ride. Some teams surprised other teams during the regular season, some teams improved, while others regressed as is the case in all of pro sports.
The 2025 CFL Season will also be a special one. Winnipeg, Manitoba, it is your time to host the 112th Grey Cup.
