Each week, we'll look at players with favourable matchups or those that may otherwise present good value for TSN Fantasy Football, CFL edition, presented by Moores.

At this point in the season, team and player trends begin to surface. This week’s topic bears that in mind, as we highlight under-the-radar players who find themselves in a beneficial position. 

Kevin Glenn, QB, Montreal – Glenn has been a solid quarterback who has met expectations, but has not yet had a big time performance this season. A game against Saskatchewan may be just the thing the 37-year-old needs to not only perform at a high caliber level, but to help jumpstart the Als’ 2016 campaign. The last two quarterbacks who faced the Roughriders had themselves a game. Jonathan Jennings shut down quarterback controversy in Week 4 and led all players in fantasy that week. Just last week, in his first CFL action Brock Jensen threw 271 yards and a pair of scores in Saskatchewan. If you would rather spend money on top receivers, one of the cheapest QB's under centre this week is Glenn.

Curtis Steele, RB, Saskatchewan – Since the day the Argos signed Steele, he has been as steady as they come, averaging 5.5 yards a carry in his first year with the Roughriders. The Alouettes’ defense has given up over 100 yards on the ground in three of their first four games. This contest has the possibility of being Steele’s breakout game similar to what teammate Ricky Collins Jr experienced in Week 3. That said, the Memphis product did leave early with a leg injury in last week’s contest against the Redblacks. If he’s a last minute scratch, Kendial Lawrence is the next guy up.  

B.J. Cunningham, WR, Montreal – What do Redblacks’ Brad Sinopoli, Lions’ Bryan Burnham, and Eskis’ Cory Watson have in common? They were all the third-leading receiver on their respected teams when they played the Roughriders this season, and they all ended those games with at least 100 receiving yards. Cunningham has the speed and route running abilities to continue this trend. Since teammate S.J. Green’s injury, the Michigan State product has seen his playing time and responsibilities go up. Saskatchewan’s defense is prone to giving up a big plays. They have allowed nearly five 20+ yard plays each game.    

Ernest Jackson, WR, Ottawa – With all the weapons the Redblacks have at their disposal, Jackson has been somewhat overlooked as of late. Yet he is a perfect complementary piece to this high power offense. He’s fourth on the team in target (29), receptions (24) and receiving yards (251), but this season hasn’t had a massive game similar to those that his fellow wide outs have experienced. The past three weeks have each featured a different Ottawa receiver leading fantasy point, so why not Jackson this week? Don’t be surprised if the Argos put so much focus on Ottawa’s other three and Jackson falls through the cracks and breaks out. He did have 7 receptions for 70 yards against the same team two weeks ago. With Henry Burris starting, the Buffalo product will see balls go his way. Jackson’s best season came last year when the veteran was the starter. 

Shawn Gore, WR, BC – The Canadian wide receiver is having the best start of his career. In his seventh season, Gore has 22 receptions for 341 yards, and a score. The Bishop’s product is averaging 16.6 yards a catch, and may surpass his career high in receiving yards (838 in 2011) as early as mid-season. He’s still a player in the league that many wouldn’t think about when assembling their weekly fantasy team, yet he’s a very cheap wideout considering he does lead the Lions in all major receiving categories. 

Justin Medlock, K, Winnipeg – One of the most accurate kickers in CFL history continues to show the league why the Bombers paid him the big bucks this off season. Of course, it is difficult to justify picking a kicker on a struggling offense, and trying to determine whether he will get an opportunity to show off his leg but everything has been going well for Medlock recently. He’s hit at least three field goals in each of the past three games, thus earning at least 10 or more fantasy points in that span. Winnipeg’s opponent this week is an Edmonton team that has given up the most points on average to opposing kickers. He’s the most expensive kicker, but he should get plenty of opportunity against a defense that has struggled this year. 

Toronto Defense – It looks like the defensive players for the Boatmen have bought in and fully understand new defensive coordinator, Rich Stubler’s system. After the season opener where they allowed three passing TDs and a total of 42 points, the defense has improved every week. They have not given up more than one passing touchdown since the game against Hamilton, and haven’t allowed opponents to score over 20 points in three of their past four games. They rank second in interceptions and sacks and third in forced fumbles. In their previous contest against Ottawa two weeks ago, they held the opposing offense in check. Ignoring the two or three big plays against that resulted from poor tackling, the game was very different than the score suggested. Henry Burris is making his first start since week 1, one can expect Stubler and the defense to bring a ton of pressure his way, and perhaps some turnovers as a result. 

 

WEEK 6

PLAYER

TEAM

POSITION

SALARY

Kevin, Glenn

MTL

QB

210 K

Curtis, Steele

SSK

RB

100 K

B.J., Cunningham

MTL

WR

100 K

Ernest, Jackson

OTT

WR

120 K

Shawn, Gore

BC

WR

90 K

Justin, Medlock

WPG

K

160 K

Toronto

TOR

Defense

120 K


STEER CLEAR

A look at players you should consider taking a pass on because of matchups or other factors for TSN Fantasy Football, CFL edition, presented by Moores.

 

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Jerome Messam leads the CFL with 250 rushing yards, but might be worth sitting out this week.

Jerome Messam RB, Calgary – The CFL’s top Canadian rusher is the definition of a bell cow. Whenever Calgary wants to kill the clock, set the tone, or needs a couple yards they can always rely on Messam. This week the Stamps are taking on an equally physical defense in the Lions. Led by the line backing core of 2014 Most Outstanding Player Solomon Elimimian and last year’s Top Defensive Player Adam Bighill, BC has only allowed more than 50 rushing yards once. 31-year-old Messam was held to 24 total yards on eight touches against the same defense in week 1. Thankfully he did find the end zone in the game, else it would’ve been a terrible day at the office. He’s not worth paying the expensive price in this matchup. 

Brad Sinopli, WR, Ottawa – Coming off a huge week against the Roughrider where he led all receivers in fantasy points, one would think he would be a regular to plug into your lineup. Don’t fall victim to the Redblacks wide receiver syndrome. He’s a great receiver and will put up solid numbers down the road, but under first year offensive coordinator Jaime Elizibdi, it’s hard to tell which player will do well. The first three weeks Chris Williams was putting up record numbers, but the two weeks to follow have been the complete opposite. Against the Argos he brought in six passes for 63 yards. Just last week he made one catch for 14 yards against the Roughridgers. Two weeks ago, teammate Greg Ellingson had a monster game against the Argos with 218 receiving yards; yet last week had 3 catches for 21 yards. Based on this pattern it could be Ernest Jackson’s big day at the office against Toronto, or Canadian Jake Harty’s. Think about going a different route for your wide receiver choice this week. 

Duron Carter WR, Montréal – The big 6’5 receiver eclipsed the century mark in a game for the first time in last week’s lost to the Argos. He criticized the offense beforehand and it paid off in terms of his stat line. It’ll be hard for him to follow up that performance against the Roughriders this week. Chris Jones’ defense is known to be aggressive and put pressure on the quarterback. So Glenn will have trouble trying to find his number one target. In addition, Saskatchewan has held a big time receiver in check every game: Redblacks’ Williams, one reception for 14 yards; Lions’ Emmanuel Arceneaux, six catches for 83 yards; Eskimos’ Derel Walker, five grabs for 51 yards, and the only game Walker was held under 100 yards; Argos’ Vidal Hazelton, two catches for 69 yards; and Argos’ Tori Gurley, one reception for 32 yards. Typically, teams’ second and third offensive options have big weeks against the Roughriders.      

Sean Whyte K, Edmonton – When you see any team go up against the Blue Bombers it has been hard not to expect the opposing offense to run all over them, hence many think it’s an easy pick to go with the kicker. This is a kicking matchup that one should consider staying away from. In the past three weeks Winnipeg has held kickers under double digits in fantasy points, one time holding Whyte to just 8. Of course it’s only one game and anything can happen, and coming off an awful collapse against the Tiger-Cats we can expect Edmonton to play with a purpose and never take their foot off the gas pedal. But there are likely better choices at the kicker position this week. 

 

WEEK 6

PLAYER

TEAM

POSITION

SALARY

Jerome, Messam

CGY

RB

170 K

Brad, Sinopli

OTT

WR

110 K

Duron, Carter

MTL

WR

140 K

Sean, Whyte

EDM

K

140 K