Welcome to Overreaction Monday, where we look back on the previous week\u2019s action and root out some angles that could be prone to hot takes that might be a tad over the top. Either from fans and the media in general or, maybe just specifically me.<\/p>\n
Then, I\u2019ll render a verdict as to whether I think it\u2019s an \u201coverreaction,\u201d a \u201cfair\u201d assessment, or if it\u2019s \u201ctoo soon to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week, concern for the \u201cAdventures R Us\u201d squad, the MOP discussion gets another nominee, and for one team, QB2 ain\u2019t a reason for big-time concern.<\/p>\n
RELATED THEY\u2019RE NOT ALL MASTERPIECES<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Montreal Alouettes could barely keep a pesky Hamilton Tiger-Cats team at bay on Sunday night, even giving up the lead in the fourth quarter before surging ahead for good with turnovers and a late field goal and touchdown.<\/p>\n A number of their victories have been like that this season, with stretches of domination giving way to an opponent\u2019s rally.<\/p>\n \u201cSure, the Als are 6-1, but they keep having to hang on or scramble at the end of games. That\u2019s troublesome.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Overreaction.<\/p>\n Just win, baby.<\/p>\n PUT HIM IN THE CONVO<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo<\/a> enjoyed a career night, statistically speaking<\/a>, when he passed for 510 yards and four touchdowns, leaving his night\u2019s work with a 158.3 efficiency rating in the Elks\u2019 36-34 win over Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n \u201cFajardo is now squarely in the MOP picture.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Fair.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just his play in Edmonton\u2019s biggest victory of the year so far. Fajardo had come into that game in third spot on the passing yardage list and he is still in that position now \u2014 only closer to the top \u2014 with a total of 2,291.<\/p>\n He\u2019d already been having a very good season, even if it had been overshadowed by the glitzy exploits of his teammate, running back Justin Rankin.<\/p>\n A big, huge performance in a crucial, measuring stick game earns the 34-year-old quarterback a spot in the George Reed Most Outstanding Player Award conversation.<\/p>\n THE LEAGUE\u2019S MOST LETHAL ATTACKER<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Calgary\u2019s Tyreik McAllister pulled off an incredible feat in his team\u2019s 52-30 victory in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n A rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and a missed field goal return (118 yards) touchdown.<\/p>\n It was an incredible performance by a player that the Stampeders brought in to provide their engine with a blast of booster fuel.<\/p>\n \u201cThat guy\u2019s the most dangerous man in the CFL.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Fair.<\/p>\n It\u2019d be an overreaction if that statement was made based on one game, even if that game was marked with three TDs and 318 combined yards.<\/p>\n But, really, we\u2019ve seen this film before, with McAllister adding 2,046 all-purpose yards to the Hamilton Ticats\u2019 ball-moving prowess during the 2023 season, prior to him missing two years of CFL football for opportunities in the U.S.<\/p>\n That year, McAllister was a force on kick returns \u2014 his main calling card \u2014 but also a danger whenever the Ticats deployed him on offence, where he caught 27 passes for 364 yards (13.5 yard average) and two touchdowns, rushing for 52 yards on 13 lugs.<\/p>\n So far in 2026, McAllister continues to churn up a lot of whitewater on returns (1,137 yards), with a punt return major as well as two missed field goal return touchdowns.<\/p>\n On offence, the numbers are good on \u2014 so far \u2014 limited opportunities (37 yards on just four rushes, and 81 yards on just four receptions).<\/p>\n Prior to his big game against Winnipeg, McAllister hadn\u2019t been targeted on a pass attempt since Week 4 and hadn\u2019t rushed since Week 3.<\/p>\n It is probable that the Stampeders have merely scratched the surface with what\u2019s possible with McAllister on offence.<\/p>\n More to come, I think.<\/p>\n THEY\u2019RE IN TOUGH WITHOUT THEIR SLINGER<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly<\/a> was having another good night of firing footballs all over the yard on Saturday, throwing two touchdown passes and accruing 197 yards prior to being knocked out of the game with an injury, prior to the end of the first half.<\/p>\n He\u2019d helped stake his team to a lead they would not relinquish, in a 26-12 win against the BC Lions.<\/p>\n With a bye week coming, we might not get word on Kelly\u2019s status for a while, and whether he\u2019ll be out short or long term.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Argos will run aground without Kelly at QB.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Overreaction.<\/p>\n When you lose your starting quarterback \u2014 one who\u2019s been tearing up the air over the first third of the season \u2014 it could be really easy to get glum about your team\u2019s prospects going forward.<\/p>\n After all, there\u2019s a reason starters are starters.<\/p>\n
\u00bb Alouettes fend off Tiger-Cats, extend winning streak to four<\/a>
\u00bb Makai Polk scores twice as Argonauts defeat Lions<\/a>
\u00bb Stamps defeat Bombers in record-setting Friday night<\/a>
\u00bb Blanchard\u2019s 57-yard walk-off field goal lifts Elks over Riders<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Sign up and watch CFL games on CFL+ in the U.S. and internationally<\/a><\/p>\n