By Bob Coatsworth,
CFL.ca
FANTASY PICKS
B.C. Lions (9-3-1) @ Winnipeg (8-4-1)
Friday, October 5 – 8:00 PM ET
Injuries will force the Bombers to play without Obby Khan and Matt Sheridan on the offensive line tonight, while rookie Kyle Koch will make his first start at guard. B.C. is one team you don’t want to be facing with a patchwork offensive line. It could be a long night for Kevin Glenn if the line doesn’t hold. The Bombers took the first meeting of the season 22-21 in Vancouver. The Leos should return the favour.
My Pick: B.C. 26 Winnipeg 21
Edmonton (5-7-1) @ Toronto (6-7)
Saturday, October 6 – 3:00 PM ET
With inexperienced Stefan Lefors starting at quarterback, you know the Eskimos are going to have a rough time scoring points. Edmonton scored two second-half points last week with Lefors at the helm and will need tons of help from a banged-up Tyler Ebell if they’re going to stay in the game. Getting Tony Miles back in the receiving corps will give the Argonauts a nice boost. If Robert Edwards can continue to run the ball like he has over the past two games, the Argonauts are in good shape headed down the stretch.
My Pick: Toronto 28 Edmonton 8
Hamilton (2-11) @ Montreal (6-7)
Monday, October 8 – 1:00 PM ET
Don’t be fooled, even with Jesse Lumsden out the Tiger-Cats still have a chance. Hamilton lost by two on the road in Winnipeg last week and beat the red-hot Stampeders the week before. Hamilton has tightened up its defence against both the run and the pass and has found a way to compete with Richie Williams at quarterback. It’s too bad Casey Printers is expected to start on Monday. The situation in Montreal is a mess, but they’ve got too much firepower to lose this game at home.
My Pick: Montreal 25 Hamilton 17
Saskatchewan (8-5) @ Calgary (6-6-1)
Monday, October 8 – 4:00 PM ET
The loss of Henry Burris shows how extremely vital a capable starting quarterback is to a team in this league. Without Hank, the Stampeders are crippled in all aspects of the game and don’t have a chance against the Roughriders. Saskatchewan is riding high. Andy Fantuz has stepped up nicely in the absence of Matt Dominguez, while veteran Eddie Davis returns on the defensive side in Week 15.
My Pick: Saskatchewan 36 Calgary 12
PLAYER RANKINGS
Quarterbacks
1. Kerry Joseph – Averaging 34.5 points over last two games.
2. Anthony Calvillo – Had 354 yards, three TDs vs. HAM in Week 3.
3. Jarious Jackson – Three TDs in each of last two games.
4. Kevin Glenn – Don’t expect 300 yards, but 1-2 scores is possible.
5. Michael Bishop – New commitment to the run has hurt Bishop.
Running Backs
1. Charles Roberts – Had 13 points vs. BC in first meeting of season.
2. Joe Smith – Posted 74 yards, TD vs. WPG in Week 7.
3. Joffrey Reynolds – Had 20 rush attempts in Week 14.
4. Tyler Ebell – Eskimos will be leaning on Ebell more than ever.
5. Jarrett Payton – Yards are down but still reaching the end zone.
Wide Receivers
1. Andy Fantuz – Soars to the top with 280 yards, 3 TD in last three games.
2. Kerry Watkins – Has 31 points (8, 10, 13) over last three games.
3. Paris Jackson – Developing great chemistry with Jarious Jackson.
4. D.J. Flick – Leads CFL receivers with nine scores.
5. Elijah Thurmon – Season-high 136 receiving yards in Week 14.
6. Derick Armstrong – Strong B.C. pass defence will limit Bombers.
7. Tony Miles* – Passing game will benefit from his return
8. Terrence Edwards – Had 31 yards, TD vs. BC in Week 7.
Slotbacks
1. Ben Cahoon – Made 12 catches vs. HAM in Week 4.
2. Geroy Simon – Has 38 points (12, 21, 5) over last three games.
3. Milt Stegall – Sore Stegall held to one catch and six yards in Week 14.
4. Arland Bruce – Hasn’t found the magic with Bishop yet.
5. Jason Clermont – TDs in back-to-back weeks.
Kickers
1. Damon Duval – Had 13 points vs. HAM earlier in season.
2. Luca Congi – Broken down Stamps will allow tons of scoring chances.
3. Rob Pikula – B.C. defence could cause many drives to end in threes.
4. Noel Prefontaine – Improved in second half.
*- player’s ranking affected by injury status
Injury Notes:
B.C. – Lions’ QB Jarious Jackson continues to get better with more opportunities and will start again tonight in Winnipeg. Paul McCallum has a bruised hip and may not kick field goals. The Lions have until up to an hour before the game to make a decision on McCallum so they’ll probably use it. B.C. junior football kicker Sean Whyte might be forced into his first CFL game if McCallum isn’t a go. Bret Anderson is also an option, but neither is available to be chosen as kickers so handling McCallum correctly is all you need to worry about.
Winnipeg – Troy Westwood is expected to sit in Week 15, meaning Rob Pikula will handle field goals. The Bombers are dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line and would like to dress an extra lineman instead of taking up two roster spots by having a punter and a kicker active. Pikula can do both.
Edmonton – Ricky Ray (separated shoulder) is done for the season. Stefan Lefors will be the Eskimos’ starting quarterback on Saturday. Wide receiver T.J. Acree is battling plantar fasciitis and is listed as questionable. Jason Tucker (knee) and Tyler Ebell (shoulder/ankle) have both missed practice time this week but are expected to be ready for Saturday. Kamau Peterson (hamstring) should also play.
Toronto – Tony Miles (hamstring) is expected to start although I refuse to believe until I see him on the field.
Saskatchewan – Matt Dominguez (knee) was able to do some running this week but is far from a return to the line-up.
Hamilton – Jesse Lumsden (shoulder) will not play on Monday at Montreal and could be out for an indefinite period. Back-up running back Terry Caulley is hampered by an ankle injury and is listed as questionable. Anthony Davis would start if Caulley sits out. Casey Printers (hamstring) resumed practicing Thursday and will start against the Alouettes.
Calgary – There’s no word on whether Akili Smith (groin) has recovered enough to face Saskatchewan on Monday. Even if he is starting, Smith shouldn’t be in your line-up.
Bob Coatsworth is Content Producer at TheScore.ca and has been a fantasy sports enthusiast for years.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
