About the Known Issues

Every effort is made to provide accurate information on CFLdb Statistics. As a non-commercial experiment-in-progress, all issues are not treated with the same priority to correct. The following known issues are deemed minor, and exist on the site. Kind complaints over known issues will affect priority, which will determine when these issues are resolved. If you have discovered an issue not listed here, please report it so it may be corrected and/or listed here until resolved.

Found an issue not listed here? Report it! You may be rewarded with a bounty. In any case, you will have become a valued contributor and will be recognized for making the site better.

Player Experience

  1. Player season participation is only available for 1930 (IRFU) or 1936 (WIFU) season forward. Player experience (years in "CFL") calculations, being based on this data therefore, do not reflect the actual years experience for players whose careers began before these dates.

    Resolution: Be aware of the incorrect data listed for players whose careers began before 1930 or 1936. Consideration is being given to manually correct the years of service for these players until rosters can be expanded, but it is a low priority at this time.

Streaks

  1. Streak calculations handle team name changes. Current team names are used when displaying team streaks. This may make sense for the Edmonton Elks, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders, but may seem incorrect for Ottawa and Montreal franchises. Be aware of these extended streaks over season history gaps of some teams; this is likely to remain, though adding team instance capabilities to the Streak query to narrow queries to specific instances may be completed in the future.

  2. To calculate streaks when teams merge, the continuity of league participation is used to determine streak. For example, the Hamilton Tigers moved to the ORFU in 1948-49 and the Hamilton Wildcats participated in the IRFU for those years, before the teams merged in 1950 to form the Tiger-Cats. The team that participated in the IRFU is used for streak calculations.

    Resolution: Be aware of the continuity issues team mergers create when calculating streaks and using the Streak query tool. No fix is being considered for this issue, the problem lies with describing the correct process for calculating streaks in these circumstances, not calculating the streaks.

Best/Worst Team and League Regular Season Records

  1. For comparison purposes, winning percentage is calculated consistently for all seasons using standard methods with a tie game counting as half a win. For seasons 2000-2002 where a point was awarded for an overtime loss, the percentage listed in these sections may differ from winning percentages displayed on season pages.

    Resolution: There are no plans to include overtime losses in the calculations for the seasons when the awarding of an additional point was in effect. Be aware that all seasons are compared based on win-loss-tie record in a consistent manner.

Boxscores

  1. Scoring summaries, Team stats and Individual (rushing, receiving, passing) stats are provided on Game pages, Boxscore tab for the years 1995 to 2022. For the seasons prior to 2004, these are sources from league and media summaries. There are known issues (discrepancies) with individual game player statistics not totalling known CFL totals for players for the season. For 1996-2003, the discrepancies are generally affect a small percentage of players, and the discrepancies are small, and will be documented here in the future.

    For 1995, the discrepancies affect more players and are more concerning. Please see the report on the discrepancies between CFL and CFLdb season totals for full details. Not only are 1995 the season totals not trustworthy on CFLdb Statistics, neither can game totals be considered complete and may contain player omissions or errors. We welcome any contributions with sources (or advanced math) to fill in the missing information and correct the record on CFLdb.

    Resolution: CFLdb is seeking contributors and sources to correct the game stats record for all seasons prior to 2004, but ultimately where ever a discrepancy is found between CFLdb Statistics and official sources.

Team Game Stats (Yardsticks)

For the period 2004 to 2022, additional stats are featured in the Team Stats section on Game boxscores. These are calculated from play logs. For the period 2004-2007, these calculations may be unreliable due to issues with the underlying source data. From 2008 forward, there also may be issues on the numbers based on how the statistics are calculated.

  1. First Downs — First Downs are calculated by CFLdb using the criteria defined in the CFL Rulebook. The process for calculations on CFLdb was reworked in October, 2018 to improve the accuracy of First Down stats and manual validation of most scenarios shows the correct values. However, some edge scenarios, specifically penalties, have not been validated, and there may be differences in how first downs are tallied based on interpretation of the scoring rules.

    Resolution: No workaround to this issue is presently known (beyond manually calculating first downs yourself). While CFLdb is confident in the numbers in most scenarios, be aware there may be differences with the official numbers. CFLdb welcomes reports of discrepancies with official stats or manually calculated figures.

  2. 2nd Down Conversions — Calculated, experimental and not official. 2nd Down Conversions are defined as a 2nd down play that results in a first down, and is tracked by successful conversions and number of opportunities. There are no known issues with 2nd Down Conversion calculations, but as it has only been validated manually against a few games, there may exist edge cases which are calculated incorrectly (both positive and negative failures).

    Resolution: No workaround to this issue is presently known (beyond manually calculating 2nd down conversions yourself). Volunteers to compute 2nd down conversions or compare against known 2nd down conversion values are welcome in order to identify errors or edge cases. Please reach out to CFLdb to confirm work required. All audit submissions, either to confirm accuracy or report errors, will be credited.

  3. Two and Out — Calculated, experimental and not official. I am not aware of an official definition of two and out, and so use any series of downs that includes only one first down (excluding repeat of down on penalty) in which a team does not score a touchdown. This results in a kicking score in three downs or less at the end of a half counting as a two and out. Besides the definition, there are no known issues with Two and Out calculations, but as it has only been validated manually against a few games, there may exist edge cases which are calculated incorrectly (both positive and negative failures).

    Resolution: No workaround to this issue is presently known (beyond manually calculating two and outs yourself). Volunteers to compute two and outs or compare against known two and out values are welcome in order to identify errors or edge cases. Please reach out to CFLdb to confirm work required. All audit submissions, either to confirm accuracy or report errors, will be credited.

  4. Points off Turnovers — Calculated, experimental and not official. All points scored as the result of the turnover are counted, including points off the subsequent kickoff. There are no known issues with the Points off Turnover calculations, but as it has only been validated manually against a few games, there may exist edge cases which are calculated incorrectly (both positive and negative failures).

    Resolution: No workaround to this issue is presently known (beyond manually calculating points off turnovers yourself). Volunteers to compute points off turnovers or compare against known points off turnovers values are welcome in order to identify errors or edge cases. Please reach out to CFLdb to confirm work required. All audit submissions, either to confirm accuracy or report errors, will be credited.

Coaching Decision Records

  1. CFLdb does not credit coaches with decisions when they were not on the sidelines (for instance, away for medical or personal reasons). An interim coach is listed for these games and credited with any win/loss. This appears to be contrary to the official CFL practice, therefore, CFLdb coaching records may differ from official league records.

    Resolution: No resolution is planned for this issue. CFLdb believes this accurately reflects coaching decisions. For official statistics, always refer to CFL sources.

Coaching Ordinal Numbers

  1. The listing of team coaches with coaches indicated as the nth coach on CFLdb may not match team announcements and records. There are a number of reasons for this. CFLdb automatically numbers coaches as known in the database, which may have extra or missing coaching terms. Teams may also included coaches from outside their team name history, not count interim coaches, and count multiple interrupted terms of a coach as only one.

    Resolution: Work is currently planned to convert coaching relationships from the team level to the club level, which will allow coaching history to be listed for the full history of the club. There are no fixes planned for the combining of multiple coaching terms or excluding interim coaches (see above) in the listings and ordering of team coaches. Be aware of these discrepancies while referring to this information. For official statistics, always refer to CFL or team sources. If you find a data issue contributing to incorrect coach numbering on CFLdb Statistics, please report the error so it may be corrected.

Games Played and Games Played Leaders

  1. CFL donated roster and games played statistics are the basis of roster and player participation numbers from 1930 to 2012 on CFLdb Statistics. For subsequent seasons, CFLdb has added roster and games played info, auditing against official sources when available. CFLdb Statistics is an unofficial source and official CFL sources should always be referred to when needed.

  2. Errors in Games Played numbers may affect accuracy of Games Played Leader lists on league and team pages. Official CFL sources should always be referred to when needed.

  3. Active Games Played numbers may not be accurate to most recent games as roster/games played information may not be updated continuously through the season. Until final published numbers are available to confirm and audit numbers, Active Games Played leaders provide a guide to most experienced players, but not official numbers or order of leaders. Official CFL sources should always be referred to when needed.

    Resolution: Official CFL sources should always be referred to when needed.

Games Scores and Standings

  1. Game scores have been verified against multiple sources, all obvious errors discovered through compilation have been corrected and are believed to be 100% accurate. However, there are some discrepancies in the compiled data compared to CFL published standings. These differences are (+ indicates CFLdb compiled totals are above CFL listed totals, - indicates CFLdb compiled totals are below CFL listed totals):

    • 1950IRFUTOR PA +1, MTL PF +1
    • 2007CFLHAM PA +1, EDM PF +1

    These discrepancies indicate either an error in recorded game scores on CFLdb or a tabulation error present in CFL standings. If you can find the error in the data for these issues, please let CFLdb know.

Data

  1. CFLdb Statistics currently only handles the Point Scoring system. Some games have been converted from the Challenge System to Point System to indicate the proper result, with additional information in the game notes. Games using the Tie System may not indicate the correct result, as games were declared a draw if not won by the agreed upon points.

    Resolution: Be aware of different scoring systems, especially in other leagues and seasons prior to 1910. While ideally the database will handle the different scoring systems someday, it is currently not a high priority to address.

  2. Tie-breaker games need to be included in tie-breaking formula. Tie-breaking formula is not known for other leagues and historical seasons. When a tie cannot be properly broken, known standings are used to order teams correctly.

    Resolution: The correct standings order is shown for historical seasons when official order is known, even if tie-breaking formula to arrive at is not known. Otherwise, best guess tie-breaking formula is used. CFLdb accepts information on league tie-breaking formulas, games, and standings order to correct any standings that are incorrect.

  3. Level of opposition is not always noted. Intermediate and junior teams may not be indicated when playing senior teams in exhibition games (which are sometimes city championships).

    Resolution: Continuing efforts to improve data are addressing missing or misunderstood team levels, primarily from CFLdb contributors. If you see an error, and have a correction, please submit and your contribution will credited appropriately.

  4. Only the 1996 season has Player of the Game awards listed, the only season known to CFLdb to have league-wide sponsored Player of the Game awards. This is also reflected on the league season Star Selections list and player Star Selections list. Team, broadcaster or other sources of Player of the Game awards for any season are not present in the database.

    Resolution: CFLdb accepts contributions of player of the game award lists for seasons. It would be preferred if such contributions were complete for each season of the league or team being contributed.

Individual Records

  1. Only select Individual Record Statistics are available on CFLdb at this time — Single Game Passing Yards, Rushing Yards and Receiving Yards records for Regular Season, Playoffs and Grey Cups. When viewing individual person pages, be aware that records outside of the above held by an individual will not be listed. There is no need to report missing statistical categories.

    Resolution: Refer to CFL sources for official and complete record sources, such as the annual CFL Guide and Record Book. Additional categories will be added over time, please review the monthly Release Notes to be informed when new categories are added.

  2. Individual Record Statistic rankings include achievements outside of current CFL official listings compiled from historical sources. These rankings may be inaccurate due to missing achievements or league scoring adjustments and should not be trusted or used as official rankings and values.

    Resolution: Official Records on CFLdb are noted with a green check mark. All others should be treated as unofficial, potentially having errors in ranking or value, and anecdotal in nature. Always refer and reference CFL sources for official record sources, such as the annual CFL Guide and Record Book.

  3. The Individual Record page allows toggling of record listings from the default Historical CFL (complete IRFU, WIFU, CFC, CFL history to present) to a Modern CFL (1958 to present) perspective. The Modern perspective is not recognized nor tracked by the league, who only lists record rankings for the complete history of the league since the statistic has been tracked. Any reference to a "Modern CFL" record or ranking must include the disclaimer that such a record is not acknowledged by the league.

    Resolution: There is no resolution for this issue. Presentation of this feature is to provide a different perspective, but does not establish legitimacy for recognizing Modern CFL records. Any attempt to declare these records as official or league or CFLdb endorsed would be in error.