The Edmonton Elks hype train has grinded to a halt.

On a sunny Saturday in Toronto, Ontario, the Elks faced the Argonauts for a very important contest, a battle that could catapult either team into playoff contention with a win. The Elks rose up to the occasion but ultimately, the Argonauts rose up even higher. What went wrong on Saturday?

GAME RECAP

THE FAN SIDE

You knew that first half was too good to be true, didn't you? While the Elks managed to post a solid 14 points in the first half, the second half saw the offense dry up despite multiple interceptions from the defense. The term "complimentary football" was used many times on Saturday, indicating the lack-there-of in the second half of the game, specifically the 4th Quarter.

QB Cody Fajardo completed 25 passes on 28 attempts, completing 22 in a row before finally having a pass blocked. 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions says he played a-near perfect game, if not for some sacks against. RB Justin Rankin carried the ball 12 times but only posted 27 yards on the day, credit to Toronto's defensive line for covering Rankin well. RB Javon Leake carried the ball 3 times for 17 yards as well. WR Kaion Julien-Grant was the top reciever of the day with 5 catches on 6 targets for 61 yards and one major, Rankin catching the other recieving touchdown. QB Cole Snyder posted the only rushing touchdown, a quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line.

The defense had themselves a day, for the most part. DB Royce Metchie topped the defensive leader board with 7 defensive tackles, but DB Joel Dublanko had 5 tackles and a sack with DL Johnathon Kongbo posting 2 tackles and a sack, meaning the defensive side was making plays. Additionally, DB Kordell Jackson, DB Tyrell Ford, DB JJ Ross and LB Kenneth Logan Jr. all managed to intercept the ball, much-needed interceptions at that. As this game went on, however, the injuries would rack up, a high-cost game for a notch in the loss column. LB Nick Anderson and Royce Metchie would go down the tunnel, Metchie's season potentially done after seeing him in crutches on the sideline. Kordell Jackson will be found on the highlight reel for years to come after a massive hurdle shutdown, a penalty coming thereafter but totally worth every yard against. Some debate that this play shouldn't had been penalized, but a penalty was assessed nonetheless.

Special teams did enough to win, although it would have been nice to see the offense keep the specialists off the field. K Vincent Blanchard was perfect in field goal attempts, going 3 for 3 with his longest being a 31-yard try. He also secured 3 extra points after touchdowns. P Jake Julien had a great day, averaging 48 yards on 8 punts, his longest being a 54-yard boot. He also recorded a tackle to prevent a touchdown, his dedication on full display on that play. There was nothing really special about the punt return or kick return game, Toronto seemed to have the Double E's number in those departments.

The most glaring stats from this game are 8 punts by the Elks and 6 turnovers committed by the Argonauts. I don't have the exact numbers on win-loss record when a team has committed that many turnovers, but the Elks should have won this game, plain and simple. The Elks blew multiple opportunities to secure this win and in doing so, their playoff dreams may soon become a nightmare.

Between the offensive line struggling to protect Fajardo, the lack of rushing game, or Fajardo rolling out to find Argonauts defenders incoming, the Elks could not move the ball effectively in order to secure a win, or even give the defense a proper break for that matter. The Elks are also missing a certain star-power or true #1 Wide Reciever, something that appears to be hindering the team as they're lacking those high-flying passing plays and 50/50 jump balls. Untimely penalties were also aplenty in this game (7 for 75 to be exact), Edmonton's drives being hindered and Toronto's drives being extended to give the home team momentum and hope. For fans of the Green and Gold, this could be the most frustrating loss of the season. To see this team look so good one week and then just bad enough the next doesn't make for positive feelings going into Hamilton, an even-tougher opponent at such a critical point in the season.

ON A POSITIVE NOTE...

We wanted to see turnovers forced and the Elks did exactly that, so a massive round of applause to the defense for coming through. Fans also need to understand that this game was a story of Elks failures as opposed to Toronto's talent and play, as the Double E could have won this game if not for penalties and offensive blunders. This game also came down to the last minute, a Toronto field goal being the game-winning score. The Elks could, and should, have won this game. Despite how upsetting the loss was, the Elks are looking even better than they did last year, improvement showing with fixable issues remaining to be cleaned up.

NEXT UP: EDMONTON ELKS @ HAMILTON TIGER-CATS SEPTEMBER 20TH 2025

The Edmonton Elks will charge into Hamilton Stadium to face the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as both teams eye playoff potential. The Tiger-Cats are the best team in the East and if the Elks want to keep their own playoff dreams alive, they'll need a win on Saturday to prevent a "must-win" run of remaining games. The stakes have never been higher and with no easy win in sight, the Elks must find a way to control their own destiny as time runs out on the season, Hamilton providing the next opportunity to do so.

Buckle Up Elks Fans!