CFL Week 9

CFL Week 9

The purpose of this article is to help break down the weekly CFL slate by offering insight into the players to help formulate the best lineup possible. It is imperative that you check on injury statuses before each game since it can change at any notice. I’ll list several players that I like at each position but then have my full player pool listed below. 

 

Matchups CGY @ WPG SSK @ MTL OTT @ EDM BC @ HAM 

 

QB Cody Fajardo (9.7k)- Cody is one of the best QBs to use for fantasy. SSK has opened up their passing offence for him and he is also able to create plays with his legs. Montreal has turned the corner and is a true contender coming out of the East so this is a big game for both teams. They have really turned it on from a defensive perspective so I think this could be a good test for both teams. I do like the SSK side more, especially since Vernon Adams will be out. I think the SSK defence should hold the Als offence in check which creates more opportunities for the Roughriders offence. 

Trevor Harris (10.3k)- From a matchup perspective, Harris is in the best overall spot this week. Over the last 3 games, Ottawa is allowing the 8th most passing yards per game (283 yards) while also allowing the 7th most passing attempts per game (37 attempts). Ottawa also struggles to generate a consistent pass rush, only sacking the QB 12 times all season long. Edmonton has the best pass blocking line in the league, only allowing 2 sacks all season long! Harris is at his best when he has a clean pocket to work with so if his O line can step up and create a nice pocket for him to work in, it could be a big night for Harris and co. 

Dane Evans (7.5k)- Hamilton is in a tough spot ever since Masoli went down with a torn ACL. They were the clear cut favorites to win the East so they need to find the right replacement to keep them in the driver’s seat. Evans really needs to settle in as the starter moving forward for them to be truly successful and luckily for them, they get a favorable matchup to get back on their feet. BC has been struggling all season long on both sides of the ball so I think Evans could be a solid value play at the QB spot, especially if Banks is able to play. 

 

RB 

CJ Gable (8k)- Gable is the high priced running back that I want in my lineups this week. The Redblacks defence has allowed 131 yards on the ground to opposing running backs over their last 3 games while also allowing 1 rushing TD as well. The game script should also favor Gable since Edmonton is projected to win which means he should see more carries in the second half of the game, should they be up. Gable has seen a drop in carries over the last 2 weeks but I think that was due to them falling behind in the game which led to more passing plays than anything else. For the matchup and price, I think Gable should be on that could be considered for both cash and GPP contests. 

Cam Marshall (4.9k) – Maleek Irons sounds like he will not be dressing which leads me to believe that Cam Marshall get the call as the starting RB this week for Hamilton. BC is the 2nd worst fantasy defence against RBs, allowing them to score 21 DK points on average per week. I think this could be a back and forth game which means Marshall could see plenty of opportunities carrying the rock this week. 

Jeremiah Johnson (5.8k)- William Stanback was announced for the Als game on Friday so this leaves some opportunity for Jeremiah Johnson to get the nod as the lead back. JJ was a constant presence for BC last season and I think the coaching staff will lean on his experience with Pipkin taking over for Vernon Adams. It is a tougher matchup against SSK but I could see JJ being a GPP option. 

Romar Morris (5.9k)- I am not big on attacking the WPG defence but I do think getting a lead back under 6k is always worthy of consideration. Morris is facing a defence who is allowing 94 rushing yards on average over their last 3 games. The one good thing about Morris is that he is a factor in the receiving game, recording 5 catches for 49 yards in his first game of the year. I think if Calgary can keep this game close, Morris could be a very solid play for your lineups. 

 

WR Greg Ellingson (9.1k)- If you are high on revenge narratives, then the Harris/ Ellingson pairing should be your top combo of the week. Both guys will be facing their former team in the Redblacks and I am sure they will want to make a statement early on in this game. Ottawa tends to struggle against opposing Field Slotbacks, allowing them to get 13 DK points on average. Ellingson is an above average Field SB so I think this is a matchup that Edmonton will look to exploit! 

Kyran Moore (7.5k)- Shaq Evans went down with an ankle injury earlier this week and I am hesitant to use him even if he plays on Friday. If Evans does get a late scratch designation, Kyran Moore should see an increase in looks in the passing game and I think he is a guy that can go for 15+ DK points. He has seen the most targets on this Roughriders team and is at a solid price for his matchup this week. 

Bryan Burnham (8.4k)- In the last 3 games played, Burnham has seen 24 targets while bringing in 17 of those for catches. Mike Reilly will need to rely on his big playmaker more if they want to contend for the rest of the season. Burnham leads the league in air yards which means they are taking their shots deep with him, but I think we will see him used on more crossing routes since the offensive line has been struggling with keeping a clean pocket for Reilly. I would look at Burnham as a GPP option more than anything this week. 

 

D/ST 

SSK (5.2k)- No Adams and no Stanback really hurts the upside for this Als team on offence. Montreal really relies on the running game and this Roughriders defence has been a stone wall to opposing RBs, only allowing them to average 57 yards on the ground. SSK has also been able to efficiently get after the QB, having at least 3 sacks in 6 out of 7 games this year! 

EDM (4.7k)- Edmonton has one of the toughest D lines in the entire league. They know how to apply pressure on opposing QBs which leads to turnovers. In addition, they have the stingiest pass defence in the entire league, only allowing opposing teams to throw for 156 yards per game. If Edmonton can apply constant pressure to Dom Davis, it could be a very long night for this Reblacks offence. 

 

Player Pool (Giving a variety of options to help with your build) 

QB- Harris, Fajardo, Evans RB- Gable, Morris, Coombs/Irons, Johnson/Stone WR1(8k+)- Ellingson, Rogers, Burnham, Addison, Begelton WR2(7.9k-6k)- Moore, RCJ, Whitehead, Daniels, Acklin WR3 (Sub 6k)- Matthews, Roosevelt, Stafford, Smith, Watson, Lawler, Adjei D/ST- SSK, EDM 

 

Fav.Teams to Stack (In Order) 1) EDM 2) SSK 3) CGY/ HAM