CFL Week 7
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 @ OTT
TOR @ EDM
WPG @ HAM
SSK @ BC
QB
Trevor Harris (10.5k)- Harris and the Eskimos offence let us down last week but I am going right back to them in week 7! Toronto is marching into Edmonton in search of their first win and I do not think they will be getting it this week. Edmonton struggled last week to find the end zone and you know this is a team that has weapons all over the field. Toronto has stepped up their defence recently and have been limiting opponent QBs to averaging just 223 yards per game over their last 3 games but they are still struggling to keep them from dropping dimes into the end zone (allowing 2.7 passing TDs per game over their last 3). WHen looking at Toronto’s last 3 opponents, it’s easier to see why they have done a good job containing opposing QB’s in terms of yardage. Both Calgary and BC have offensive line issues and allowed Toronto to put pressure on their QBs and Winnipeg is more balanced from their attacking standpoint so they won’t really light it up in the passing department. I think Edmonton gets back to their bread and butter, which is high efficient passes which means Harris is in for a big game.
Jeremiah Masoli (11k)- Coming off of a bye week, I think Masoli could go overlooked based on the opponent this week. Winnipeg is proving to be the team to beat in the league but there are some things I like about this matchup. Over their last 3 games, Winnipeg has allowed an average of 292 passing yards while also averaging 2 passing TDs allowed to opposing QBs. I think Masoli and the Ti-Cats hand Winnipeg their first loss this season, primarily attacking through the air and using their home-field advantage. Masoli sits more as a GPP play than a cash play this week.
Cody Fajardo (9k)- Fajardo got the best of this BC Lions defence last week and while I am hesitant to go right back to the well in certain matchups, Fajardo showed to be a good fantasy QB option because he can do it through the air and on the ground. He threw for 278 yards and 2 passing TDs which while also running for 53 yards and a TD. BC will have to figure out how to contain a dual threat QB and until they do, I will roll with Fajardo. For his price, he is the value QB for this week.
RB
Shaq Cooper (4.2k)- In a surprising move, the Esks placed CJ Gable on the 1 game injured list. SHaq Cooper gets the nod as the starter this week and at his price, I think he turns into a must play based on matchup and value. Cooper saw 2 starts last year and got 25 carries while rushing for 144 yards while also grabbing 6 catches for 44 yards. I have a feeling we will see similar usage and I think he turns into the safest value play of the week.
Ka’Deem Carey (6.1k)- Carey was fully involved in the game last week, getting 12 rushing attempts while also grabbing 4 catches in the process. In 2 out of 3 games, he has seen the bulk of the carries and I think this trend will continue this week. Ottawa has been allowing 147 rushing yards to opposing teams over their last 3 games while also allowing 1.7 rushing TDs over that stretch. Calgary should win this game and avenge that week 1 loss so I expect Carey to be a busy man on Thursday night.
John Crockett (4.6k)- Crockett was the value of the week last week and he could be one of the main value guys again for this week. Crockett was basically the only shining point for this Redblacks offence last week, rushing for 88 yards on 15 attempts. With Jon Jennings under center, the Redblacks struggled to open up the field so they leaned on the running game with Crockett. The Stamps D has been very good recently so the Redblacks will need to get Crockett going early for him to have a good game.
Andrew Harris (10.2k)- Winnipeg faces a very tough task on Friday by going to Tim Horton field to face the Hamilton Ti-Cats. We have seen a very balanced attack from this Winnipeg offence but I think for them to succeed and pull out a win, they will need to establish the running game early on. Hamilton did allow a 200 yard rushing performance earlier this season so if there is one way to attack them this season, it would be on the ground.
WR
Brandon Banks (10.7k)- It is hard to fade Banks in any game because he does so much for this Hamilton offence. I think this is a huge game for Hamilton, especially with how well Montreal has been playing recently. Masoli will need to feed his stud WR the ball early and often because this Winnipeg defence has not faced a weapon like Banks all season long. Banks comes in as the leader with the most receptions, yards and targets so I think that trend continues throughout this weekend.
Bryan Burnham (8.4k)- Burnham is the deep threat for this Lions offence and Reilly loves looking his way. He is in the top 3 for the most targets on the season and he is seeing over 100+ air yards per game. Over his last 3 games, Burnham has seen 29 targets which leads the CFL in that span. I think he would be a great play if trying to take down a larger field GPP.
Shaq Evans (8.1k)- Evans has really popped off since Fajardo has taken over the reins in Saskatchewan. He has gone for 3 straight 100 yard receiving performances and is averaging roughly 24 DK points per game in that span. I would look to pair Shaq with Fajardo in all SSK stacks.
D/ST
Calgary- Calgary comes in as the top overall option this week. Theylooked like they have turned the corner and resemble the Stamps D that we saw last season. They draw a very favorable matchup against an Ottawa team that struggled to move the ball at all last week. Jon Jennings does not scare opposing defences so I am sure this Stamps defence will be pinning their ears back and rush him, trying to create turnovers on every down.
SSK- The Roughriders get BC for the 2nd straight week and I think they serve as the value D for this week. Over their last 4 games, the SSK D has averaged almost 4 sacks per game, and we know BC has a propensity to give up sacks. I think Reilly will once again be put under constant pressure which will force him into some bad throws.
Player Pool (Giving a variety of options to help with your build)
QB- Harris, Masoli, Fajardo RB- Cooper, Harris, Carey, Crockett, Irons WR1(8k+)- Banks, Ellingson, Burnham, Evans, Brescacin WR2(7.9k-6k)- Moore, RCJ, Stafford, Acklin, tasker WR3 (Sub 6k)- Wolitarsky, Arceneaux, R. Smith D/ST- CGY, SSK
Fav.Teams to Stack (In Order) 1) EDM 2) SSK 3) WPG/ CGY
*Roster Construction: I think the chalk build will be paying down with 1-2 RBs and then paying up for a combo of Banks and A. Harris.
