PFF Team of the Week and Player Awards

• QB Nick Arbuckle does enough to lead Toronto to victory: He finished the game with an overall score of 77.4 and a well-deserved Gray Cup MVP award.

• CFL MVP Brady Oliveira good despite loss: He broke five tackles, made two explosive hits, picked up four first downs and scored a touchdown. Oliveira finished the game with a game-high grade of 73.7.

• Toronto L.B. Wynton McManis with incredible coverage: McManis was targeted seven times and had just three catches for 29 yards. He threw an interception and forced two incompletions.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

After three quarters of Gray Cup play, the Toronto Argonauts led the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 17-13. It seemed like we were set for a thrilling finale. Instead, Toronto picked off Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros three times in the fourth quarter for a 41–24 victory, securing the franchise’s best 19th Gray Cup win in the CFL.

Given this win, it’s no surprise that Toronto makes up the majority of the year’s final Team of the Week. Of the team’s 27 players, 18 are Argonauts. Players like LT Stanley Bryant and RB Brady Oliveira had great games for Winnipeg, but it wasn’t enough to lead the Blue Bombers to victory.

VIOLATION

Question: Nick Arbuckle, Toronto

RB: Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg

Recipient: Ontario Wilson, Winnipeg

Recipient: Davaris Daniels, Toronto

Recipient: Makai Polk, Toronto

Recipient: Dejon Brissett, Toronto

Recipient: Kenny Lawler, Winnipeg

LT: Stanley Bryant, Winnipeg

LG: Dylan Giffen, Toronto

WITH: Peter Nicastro, Toronto

RG: Anthony Vandal, Toronto

RT: Dejon Allen, Toronto

DEFENSE

FROM: Jake Ceresna, Toronto

FROM: Ralph Holley, Toronto

Edge: Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg

Edge: Celestine Haba, Winnipeg

LB: Wynton McManis, Toronto

LB: Tony Jones, Winnipeg

Cover LB: Robert Priester, Toronto

KB: Benji Franklin, Toronto

KB: Terrell Bonds, Winnipeg

HB: DaShawn Amos, Toronto

HB: Nick Taylor, Winnipeg

WITH: Royce Metchie, Toronto

SPECIAL TEAMS

TO: Lirim Hayrullahu, Toronto

P: John Haggerty, Toronto

Returning: Janarion Grant, Toronto

DEFENDER OF THE WEEK: QB NICK ARBUCKLE, TORONTO

In our Gray cup previewWe said Toronto would benefit if it didn’t have to put the entire game on Arbuckle’s shoulders. This game plan was executed flawlessly. In this match, Arbuckle did exactly what he needed to do, running the offense and not making mistakes. Arbuckle had an adjusted completion percentage of 74.4% and an average depth of target of just 7.8 yards. More importantly, he didn’t record a single turnover-worthy game; two of his interceptions were the result of miscommunications and passes. Arbuckle also caught two first downs with his legs. He finished the game with an overall score of 77.4 and a well-deserved Gray Cup MVP award.

FORWARD PLAYER OF THE WEEK: RB BRADY OLIVEIRA, WINNIPEG

Winnipeg’s game plan in the first half was fairly balanced, including several runs by Oliveira and the passing game. The Blue Bombers came away from it in the second half, trailing in ways that were hard to see. In fact, Oliveira averaged more yards per carry (7.6) than Toronto’s average per pass attempt (6.1). The 2024 Most Outstanding Player had 11 carries for 84 yards, with 74 of them coming after first contact. He broke five tackles, had two explosive hits, picked up four first downs and scored a touchdown. Oliveira finished the game with a game-high grade of 73.7.

UPCOMING LINE OF THE WEEK: TORONTO ARGONAUTS

It’s no surprise that Toronto’s offensive line was the highlight of the Gray Cup. Toronto’s line, one of the best all season, was effective no matter the concept. The group blocked the ball well in the run game, with Toronto RB Ka’Deem Carey gaining 55.7% of his 79 yards before first contact. In pass blocking, the Argos allowed just one sack and lost just eight pass-blocking snaps (compared to Winnipeg’s 21 pass-blocking turnovers). Regent Anthony Vandal was a star, not giving up a single pass-blocking rep and finishing with a game-high 86.7 pass-blocking grade.

RUSHER OF THE WEEK: ED WILLIE JEFFERSON, WINNIPEG

Despite the lopsided final score, Winnipeg’s defense actually played well for most of this game. There were many strong performances, but none stood out more than the great Willie Jefferson. The veteran edge rusher finished with two sacks, a hit and a rush while rushing the passer. One of those sacks was a second in the red zone and the other was a strip sack in the third quarter. His biggest play wasn’t even a pressure: Jefferson caught his own pass and intercepted Arbuckle deep in Toronto territory with the game still in doubt early in the fourth quarter. Jefferson led all Gray Cup competitors with a passer rating of 87.3.

DEFENDER OF THE WEEK: L.B. REDHA KRAMDI, WINNIPEG

Run defense failed for either team in this game. Both leading backs averaged over 5.0 yards per carry, and neither team had a single player with a run defense grade above 70.0. However, Crumdy was the best of them all, posting a defensive grade of 67.5. He made two tackles, one of which was a single. Krumdie is coming off a strong season with an overall rating of 72.6, one of the best among SAM linebackers.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK: LB WINTON McMANIS, TORONTO

The Argonauts had several players who could have won the award. After throwing four interceptions and holding the Bombers to under 50% shooting, they were poised to shut down Winnipeg’s passing offense. It helps that Toronto boasts the best linebacker in the CFL. McManis was targeted seven times and had just three catches for 29 yards. He had an interception and forced two incompletions while also making four tackles in the passing game and recording a coverage grade of 85.0. Including the playoffs, McManis actually finished the season with the highest coverage rate of any defensive player in the league (92.3).