Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
The road to Ottawa takes its final turns on Sunday with the Division Finals. While both Calgary and Toronto used their open weeks to heal up, both Saskatchewan and Edmonton begin their potential last steps in relatively good shape.
That bodes well for Fantasy owners, as all four teams will be chocked full of playmakers.
Saskatchewan at Toronto
Sunday | 1:00pm ET
Marcus Thigpen rushed for 159 yards in his playoff debut with the Riders last week (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
The success of Marcus Thigpen ($4,000) in last week’s Eastern Semi-Final win over Ottawa was an excellent cushion for the Roughriders’ ground game, which will again be without Cameron Marshall ($5,394) and Trent Richardson ($4,000). Both backs remain on the one-game injured list.
While Kienan LaFrance ($3,976) is listed as the starting running back on the Riders’ depth chart, Thigpen will obviously get his share of the touches and is the more valuable of the backs for Fantasy owners. The team moved receiver Chris Getzlaf ($2,500) to the one-game injured list, a move of no consequence to Fantasy owners.
The Argonauts enter the Division Finals in good shape. Running back Brandon Whitaker ($4,615) remains on the one-game injured list along with receivers Alex Charette ($2,500), Jeff Fuller ($2,500) and Jimmy Ralph ($2,500).
Edmonton at Calgary
Sunday | 4:30pm ET
Marquay McDaniel returns in time to help the Stamps in Sunday’s Western Final (CFL.ca)
Edmonton enters its fourth matchup against the rival Stamps in good shape at the skill positions. The team placed receiver D’haquille Williams ($2,795) on the one-game injured list while activating veteran fullback Pascal Lochard ($2,500) from the same. With C.J. Gable ($8,367) being the only running back on the Eskimos’ roster, Lochard (who had 14 carries during the regular season) would likely be the first option if something were to happen to Gable.
Receiver Bryant Mitchell ($3,768), running back LaDarius Perkins ($4,955) and fullback Alexandre Dupuis ($2,500) remain on the one-game IL for the Eskimos.
The open week allowed the Stampeders to heal up, especially at receiver. Marquay McDaniel ($4,003) returns to the starting lineup at slotback, while rookie sensation Marken Michel ($4,112) also comes back from the one-game injured list as the backup to DaVaris Daniels ($4,788). McDaniel should be considered a good WR2 play, while Michel is more of a middle-tiered WR2 with upside. Calgary also added running back Ante Milanovic-Litre ($2,500) as the third back behind starter Jerome Messam ($4,275) and Roy Finch ($4,477).
Running backs Dominique Williams ($2,500) and Anthony Woodson ($2,500) remain on the one-game IL for the Stampeders.
