CFL Week 18- We are getting closer to the end of the season, so some teams have clinched in their playoff spot while others are still fighting for their post season spot. Keep this in mind while you are making your lineups!
QB
Mike Reilly and the Eskimos are on the outside looking in and they need every win they can get as the end of the season draws near. In their most recent matchup, Mike Reilly threw for 276 yards and only 1 touchdown. When looking at the last game that Ottawa played, they allowed Matt Nichols to throw for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Redblacks do a great job in limiting passing yardage but are ranked in the lower half in passing touchdowns allowed throughout the season (22 total). Reilly is the second highest priced quarterback on the slate which is great value for a player that is heavily relied on and tied to his team’s overall success.
Jeremiah Masoli is in a great spot and could be chalky since he faces the worst defense in the league in Toronto. In his last matchup against them, he put up 38 DK points so just that alone should indicate him as a good play this week. He is also in contention of winning the MOP award and the Tiger-Cats are trailing Ottawa in the standings, so they still have a lot to play for. He is the most expensive quarterback this week and for good reason!
RB
Jeremiah Johnson has been one of my favorite running back plays all year long. He runs hard and is in an offense that loves to run the ball. Calgary has one of the top defenses in the league, but their weakness is against the run. Earlier in the season, Johnson went for 21 DK points in this same matchup, so we could see a similar result this week.
John White is very cheap this week and is facing the worst run defense in the league. Toronto is allowing over 120 yards on the ground to opponents and they will have their hands full with Masoli and the receivers. Once the Tiger-Cats get up big, they will go ahead and just pound the ball with White, so this ends up being a very good overall spot to put him in your lineups.
If you plan on paying up for a running back, I would suggest looking at William Powell. He has been one of the top running backs throughout the entire season and has been extremely consistent. He is a little pricey at $8,500 but he has gone for 20+ DK in 3 straight games. He just his lone game against Edmonton, he rushed for 147 yards while also catching 4 passes for 26 yards. He is very involved in all facets of this offense, so he would be the higher priced running back to use.
WR
Brandon Banks has been on fire and the only thing that can slow him down at this point is an injury of some sort. He torched the Argonauts in his last matchup and has owned them throughout this year. Luke Tasker is also in play and this wide receiver combo will be tough to get into your lines, so value will be needed if going this route!
Duke Williams will be very important to the Eskimos down the stretch and they will need him to perform like has all year long. This offense took a hit once Derel Walker went on the IR, but it still runs through Duke. Bryant Mitchell is still seeing the second number of targets on this team, so he is a cheaper option if you are looking to get some exposure to this game. Edmonton needs this passing offense to get going if they have any chance to make the playoffs, so I like this spot for both receivers.
Saskatchewan has been a great spot for finding value wide receivers. Kyran Moore has shown some massive upside but also has shown he can really have some low games as well, so he would be a gpp option. One of my favorite value plays is Kenny Shaw. He is under 5k and has had 5 catches and over 70 yards receiving in both games with the Roughriders. Shaw is a sure handed target and is quickly becoming a favorite for Collaros. I think Shaw is safe in both gpp and cash formats due to his consistent play and role in this offense.
I think a team that also could provide some wide receiver depth this week is the Stampeders. They have been getting decimated with injuries and Marken Michel is the latest to get bit by the injury bug. Eric Rogers is just getting worked back into the mix and he was one of the most explosive wide receivers before he was injured mid-season. In the mid-priced range, Juwan Brescacin is a very solid option. He has been one of the fringe options all season long but is now going to see a lot more time and a lot more targets. For a cheaper option that could be good for gpps, Lemar Durant could be considered. He is another one that has been a fringe receiver but with all the injuries, he will see an increased role and target share as well.
Def
The two defenses I will be looking at using this week are Hamilton and SSK. Hamilton draws a favorable matchup with Toronto making another quarterback change. Toronto has really let people down this season and since their season is over, we might not see much of a fight from them as the end of the season draws close. Saskatchewan is priced low and I will always consider them in any matchup. Winnipeg wants to run the ball and that feeds into the game plan of the Roughriders defense.
Player Pool
QB- Reilly, Masoli
RB- White, Johnson, Powell
WR Top Tier- Banks, Williams, Rogers, Tasker
WR Middle Tier- Brescacin, Mitchell, Moore,
WR Value Tier- Shaw, Durant
Defense- Hamilton, SSK
