09.19.2026 | Game Preview: AT Toronto

Two of the hottest teams in the Canadian Football League will square off when the Edmonton Elks (10-3, first place in CFL West Division) take on the host Toronto Argonauts (7-6, second place in CFL East Division) at BMO Field in CFL Week 16 action on Saturday (Sept. 19) at 1 pm MT.

Catch the action live on TSN, 880 CHED and CFL+

Fresh off clinching a playoff berth last week, Edmonton is looking for its fifth consecutive victory. The Argos, meanwhile, have won five of their last seven games, losing just twice in the last two months.

Rematch From Week 11

One of Toronto’s defeats came against the Elks, in Week 11 at Play Alberta Field at Commonwealth Stadium, where the Green and Gold bested the visitors by a score of 42-12.

Edmonton led 17-12 late in the third quarter, before erupting to score 25 points over the final 20 minutes, sparked in part by an Argos’ turnover in their territory.

Following that game, Toronto was averaging 32.3 points against. Over their four contests since, the Argos are conceding an average of 23.3 points.

“Their defense has been trending in the right direction since we played them,” Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo says.

“We don’t forget that it was a five-point game with five minutes left in the third quarter, how close of a football game that it was, until we had the fumble recovery on the kickoff and then we scored and it kind of got us going.”

Fajardo Faces a Familiar Face

A big part of the Toronto defence is lineman Shawn Lemon, who already has eight sacks this season despite missing his team’s first six games. It’s no coincidence that his return to the lineup in Week 8 coincides with the start of Toronto’s current run of five wins in seven games.

But if anyone has insight into how to best elude the 38-year-old Lemon, it’s the 34-year-old Fajardo. The two spent several seasons as teammates, with the BC Lions, Montreal Alouettes and Argonauts, and are kindred spirits.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and how he’s resurged back and just (dis)proved everyone who was doubting him and questioning him,” says Fajardo, who won two Grey Cup championships with Lemon. “He’s got a little bit of that chip on his shoulder that I have, and we resonate with each other, and it’s always fun to compete against him.”

Another Weapon in EE Arsenal

With six players who have more than 30 receptions and over 400 receiving yards this season, Edmonton arguably has the greatest depth of pass-catchers in the CFL. Now, that pool has grown even deeper with the recent return of wide receiver Joseph Robustelli.

After missing Edmonton’s first 11 games of the season due to injury, Robustelli made his debut against the Calgary Stampeders in Week 14, making three catches for 53 yards. He followed up that with five receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns versus the Stampeders at Commonwealth Stadium last week.

“It feels good to get out there with the guys,” says the 29-year-old. “Sitting out for three months it was a process, but I stayed locked in every meeting I can so when the time came, I was fluent as possible.”

Green and Gold Road Warriors

At 4-2, Edmonton has the best road record in the CFL this season. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the league’s only other team with a road record above .500 through Week 15.

This will be the Elks’ third game of 2026 in the East time zone: they defeated the Ottawa RedBlacks 29-21 in their season opener, but fell 48-30 to the Alouettes last month. The Green and Gold is unbeaten since that loss at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium.

“Last time we went out east, we got our butts kicked,” Fajardo said. “Obviously (the Argos are) a different football team, but it’s really hard to travel out east as a western opponent and win those football games, so we’ve got our hands full, for sure.”

Playoff Picture Taking Shape

With a dominant 53-16 win against the Stampeders last week, Edmonton was assured of its first Grey Cup Playoffs appearance since 2019. The next step is to secure a home playoff game. A win on Saturday would put the Elks in position to do that as soon as Week 17, when they host the Hamilton-Tigers at Commonwealth Stadium on Sept. 26 (5 pm MT). Tickets for all remaining Elks home games are available through Ticketmaster.

“We’re the drivers of our own bus, and destiny rests in our hands, and that’s a good spot to be in,” Fajardo says.

“All the goals we set going into this year are in the grasp of our hands, and it’s always a good feeling when you put in the hard work to put yourself in that situation.”