The B.C. Lions will look to secure a second consecutive win over the Edmonton Elks when the two teams meet Friday night at Commonwealth Stadium. Around two weeks ago, the Lions handed Edmonton its first loss of the season, winning 36-24 at home on July 4. In that game, B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 320 yards and a touchdown but also recorded two interceptions and did not have any rushing attempts. Running back James Butler stood out with 135 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, providing a key offensive boost.

Defensively, the Lions contained Elks running back Justin Rankin, limiting the CFL’s leading rusher to 19 yards on seven carries. Rankin, however, remains on pace for a historic season, projecting to become the first player in CFL history to surpass 1,800 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in the same year. He is also tracking for 26 total touchdowns, which would surpass the league record held by Milt Stegall, and is on course to break the record for most scrimmage yards in a single season. Despite his limited rushing yardage in the previous matchup, Rankin contributed 10 receptions for 100 yards. Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo completed 34 of 51 attempts for 395 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times. The Elks enter Friday’s game following a 40-17 home victory over Ottawa last week, where Rankin rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns while also catching a touchdown pass. Fajardo threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns, and Edmonton’s defense forced four interceptions.

In other weekend CFL action, the Montreal Alouettes aim to complete a home-and-home sweep against the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday afternoon in Calgary. Montreal secured a 37-30 win in their previous encounter, boosted by Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot’s nine catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Davis Alexander has yet to throw an interception this season and went 22 of 30 for 301 yards and one touchdown in the last game. Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. also remains interception-free and recorded 272 passing yards and three touchdowns in the previous matchup. The Stampeders, with a 2-3 record and 1-2 at home, have suffered narrow losses by a combined five points but are coming off a 58-36 victory over Ottawa on July 2.

Saturday evening’s matchup at Hamilton features the Toronto Argonauts against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with Toronto playing its final ‘home’ game on the road due to the World Cup schedule. The Argonauts, sitting at 2-3, recently secured a 40-34 win in Regina but were defeated 30-21 in Winnipeg last week. Toronto’s Chad Kelly leads the league in passing yards and is tied for most touchdowns but has a league-high eight interceptions. Their defense ranks last in yards allowed per play, passing yards allowed per game, and in allowing big completions over 30 yards. The Ticats, also 2-3, will be without starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, sidelined with an ankle injury, after a 38-7 loss at Saskatchewan where the offense managed only 250 yards.

Sunday night’s game in Ottawa will pit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers against the Ottawa Redblacks. Winnipeg quarterback Dru Brown, who recently rejoined the Blue Bombers after starting his CFL career there in 2021 and spending two seasons in Ottawa, could face his former team. Brown led Winnipeg to a victory over Toronto last week in relief of Zach Collaros, throwing for 339 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Winnipeg, with a 3-2 record, is last in the league in offensive points per game, averaging 22.0, while the Redblacks have allowed an average of 34.2 points per game and remain winless at 0-5. Ottawa has struggled at home with a 0-3 record at TD Place, whereas the Blue Bombers possess a 2-0 record on the road.

After going 3-1 last week, the season record stands evenly at 11-11 heading into the weekend’s slate of games.