There were numerous story lines heading into this week: Hamilton’s Zach Collaros’ highly anticipated return, Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell’s tweets, and Saskatchewan receiving a fine from the CFL for roster violations . But when the dust settled, it was a trio of receivers that stood tall in Fantasy. Here are the best of Week Eight in TSN Fantasy Football, CFL Edition, presented by Moores.

Receivers

Clarence Denmark, Winnipeg – His name was mentioned in last week’s preview article, but there is no way one could have thought that the previously cut receiver would put up these sorts of numbers in the Bombers’ road victory over the Argos. The 30-year-old snatched seven balls for a career high 195 yards and two touchdowns, in a game where no other Blue Bombers receiver had more than 17 receiving yards. Denmark accounted for about 80% of quarterback Matt Nichols’s passing yards that game. He led all players in Fantasy points, even pivots. After the performances Denmark has displayed since his return in Week Seven, it’s hard to not imagine how dangerous the Bombers’ offense will be once receivers Darvin Adams, Weston Dressler and Ryan Smith get healthy and play alongside Denmark. 

Emmanuel Arceneaux, BC – The Lions’ eight-year veteran is officially back to his 2015 self. He hauled in five balls for 105 yards and a pair of scores, one being the game-winning dagger against Hamilton. In the first five games of the season, the Alcorn State product only had one touchdown to his name compared to three over the last two games. Should BC be considered the best air attack in the CFL now?

Diontae Spencer, Toronto – In 2015, the speedy slot receiver had 36 catches for 502 yards and three scores in just 10 games, capped off by an eight reception, 123 yards performance in the final week of the season against the Bombers. Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, his 2016 campaign didn’t start off the way 2015 ended; he suffered a neck injury that sidelined him until last week. However, once the game started against Winnipeg, the McNeese State product did not miss a beat. He grabbed 11 throws for 146 yards and a score. There was a reason why Toronto let Chad Owens go to Hamilton.

Passers

Jonathon Jennings, BC – Most people knew the 24-year-old had the tools to be one of the league’s best quarterbacks, but no one thought it would happen this quickly. Jennings has thrown for over 300 yards in the last three games and a total of 7 TD’s. The pattern continued in the team’s win over the Ticats. He completed 20 of his 32 passes for three touchdowns and one pick, a performance that was highlighted by a game-winning drive with a minute-and-a-half left in the game. The Saginaw Valley product ranks second in total Fantasy points only behind Eskimos quarterback Mike Reilly.

Zach Collaros, Hamilton – For the first time in 329 days after he suffered a torn ACL last September, Collaros made his first start under centre. The first half was not his strongest, but he showed flashes in the second half that made him an MOP favourite in 2015 before his injury. The 27-year-old hit 24 of 40 throws for 331 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. Considering the circumstances, the University of Cincinnati product is poised to find his game sooner rather than later. 

Mike Reilly, Edmonton – The defending Grey Cup champion Eskimos flew out of the starting gates displaying an offense that many didn’t believe any team could stop. Sometimes it does not matter if you’re so dominant at one phase of the game if the others are not up to par. The past couple of weeks the team’s weaknesses have been exposed, leading to a three-game losing streak and the offence really slowed down last week against the Redblacks. The 31-year-old brought the team back to its winning ways against the Alouettes, completing 29 of 45 passes for 300 yards, as well as running for 34 yards plus a touchdown. 

Runners

Andrew Harris, Winnipeg – Playing for your hometown team is an experience few get the opportunity to do, but Harris is one of the lucky ones. At first, much like the Blue Bombers’ start, the 29-year-old couldn’t get anything going, having only put up 206 rushing yards. The last three weeks have been a completely different story, however as further demonstrated in the win against Toronto. The Winnipeg native tallied 123 yards on the ground and found the end zone. During the Bombers’ three-game winning streak, the tailback has a total of 299 yards and three touchdowns. It is fair to say Harris is in mid-season form.

Jerome Messam, Calgary – Two weeks ago, the Canadian back ran right through the Roughriders’ defense, compiling 145 yards and a score. In the second straight contest against them, the Toronto native did his damage through the air, managing 113 yards with a touchdown on 10 touches. In Messam’s last five career games against Saskatchewan, he’s averaged nearly 112 yards per game.     

Jeremiah Johnson, BC – One of the players that helped bring the Redblacks to the Grey Cup last year, is finding his stride with the Lions. In the team’s close win over the Ticats, the tailback had 15 rushes for 62 yards and two scores. It marked the second straight game the Oregon product put up double digits Fantasy points since returning from injury. His 5.1 yards per carry sits second in the league among backs with a minimum of 25 carries. Johnson has most likely beaten Anthony Allen as the Lions’ feature back moving forward.

Notes

The Lions and Tiger-Cats game was simply insane, which suggests that at a couple players made an impact. Hamilton’s receiver, Luke Tasker made eight grabs for 86 yards and one touchdown while teammate Terrence Toliver put up three catches for 58 yards and a score. The tone was set with a first play touchdown to BC receiver Bryan Burnham, who made two snags for 71 yards and a TD. Stamps’ Marquay McDaniel was truly consistent making eight grabs for 110 yards for the second game in back-to-back matchups against the Roughriders. Eskimos’ Derel Walker helped end the team’s three-game losing streak against the Als’, putting up 10 catches for 132, while running-mate Adarius Bowman was not far behind with nine grabs for 107 yards. Argos’ rookie Llevi Noel made his first two career receptions for 51 yards and a score. The two catches were made 10 seconds apart from one another. The young Blue Bombers defence are making a name for themselves. They had five picks, a sack and a fumble recovery in their victory over the Boatmen.