TORONTO \u2014\u00a0Week 1 of the 2026 CFL season delivered everything fans could have hoped for: dramatic finishes, breakout performances and plenty of star power across the league.<\/p>\n
The traditional stat sheet always tells part of the story, but some of the game\u2019s most impressive performances are better illustrated through advanced metrics tracked by Pro Football Focus (PFF).<\/p>\n
From quarterbacks pushing the ball downfield to defenders living in the backfield, here are five Week 1 numbers that stood out, according to PFF.<\/p>\n
RELATED VERNON ADAMS JR. | QUARTERBACK | CALGARY STAMPEDERS | 4 BIG-TIME THROWS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Even in defeat, Vernon Adams Jr. showed why he\u2019s one of the CFL\u2019s premier playmakers. According to PFF, the Calgary quarterback recorded four big-time throws in Friday\u2019s 30-28 loss to Winnipeg, the highest total of any passer in Week 1.<\/p>\n The veteran finished 17-of-27 for 239 yards and a touchdown while repeatedly challenging the Blue Bombers secondary downfield. Calgary came up just short, but Adams\u2019 willingness to attack tight windows and make difficult throws kept the Stampeders within striking distance until the final moments.<\/p>\n DANIEL ADEBOBOYE | RUNNING BACK | OTTAWA REDBLACKS | 6 MISSED TACKLES FORCED<\/p>\n Daniel Adeboboye<\/a> finds the end zone and puts Ottawa on the board with the REDBLACKS\u2019 first points of 2026! \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Elks vs. REDBLACKS LIVE NOW \u2014 CFL (@CFL) June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Ottawa may have fallen 29-21 to Edmonton, but Daniel Adeboboye<\/a> gave the REDBLACKS offence plenty of life with his physical running style. According to PFF, the Canadian back forced six missed tackles, the most by any player in Week 1.<\/p>\n Adeboboye finished with 87 rushing yards and 94 total yards from scrimmage while consistently turning modest gains into bigger plays. His ability to slip through contact and keep his feet moving was one of Ottawa\u2019s biggest offensive bright spots.<\/p>\n JUSTIN RANKIN | RUNNING BACK | EDMONTON ELKS | 90 RUSHING YARDS AFTER CONTACT<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Justin Rankin picked things up where he left off last year during Edmonton\u2019s Week 1 victory over Ottawa. According to PFF, Rankin produced 90 rushing yards after contact, highlighting just how difficult he was to bring down throughout the game.<\/p>\n The running back finished with 102 rushing yards and a touchdown while adding another 94 receiving yards as the focal point of the Elks offence. His combination of balance, power and explosiveness helped Edmonton begin the season with an important win.<\/p>\n TYLER SNEAD | RECEIVER | MONTREAL ALOUETTES | 6 RECEIVING FIRST DOWNS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Tyler Snead<\/a> was Davis Alexander<\/a>\u2018s go-to target in Montreal\u2019s thrilling overtime win over Hamilton. According to PFF, six of Snead\u2019s nine receptions resulted in first downs, repeatedly extending drives for the Alouettes offence.<\/p>\n Snead finished the night with nine catches for 163 yards and a touchdown while making several timely plays in key situations. Whether working underneath or creating explosive gains downfield, the receiver consistently delivered when Montreal needed him most.<\/p>\n JAKE CERESNA | DEFENSIVE LINEMAN | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS | 6 TOTAL PRESSURES<\/p>\n Sack the QB \u2705 \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Blue Bombers vs. Stampeders LIVE NOW! \u2014 CFL (@CFL) June 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
\u00bb\u00a0Justin Rankin runs wild, Elks defeat REDBLACKS to close out Week 1<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Bombers edge Stamps in season-opening thriller<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Als open 2026 CFL season with overtime win over Ticats<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Buy tickets for the 2026 CFL season<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, RDS, CBSSN, and CFL+#CFLKickoff<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/299PXvDG5P<\/a><\/p>\n
Synchronized somersaults \u2705<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa: TSN, CBSSN, SiriusXM, and CFL+#CFLKickoff<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/tZXhKUSK3h<\/a><\/p>\n