Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Fun With Fantasy Numbers looks back at a Week 8 that was twisted as the number itself. Those who stacked Argonauts and REDBLACKS are feeling good about their lot in respective leagues, while 2,475 users fell victim to the hype. Ouch.
Long Live the Night (and the Fantasy Points): Six of the 15 highest scorers of the week came from Thursday’s instant classic between Ottawa and Toronto, with REDBLACKS receiver/return specialist Diontae Spencer erupting for a Week 8 high 38.7 Fantasy points. Those who rolled the dice on a McLeod Bethel-Thompson/S.J. Green ticket were rewarded handsomely, as Green finished second overall with 34.4 FP, just ahead of the 31.5 FP Bethel-Thompson produced in the 42-41 thriller. Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli recorded 21.9 FP to place 10th, while Toronto running back James Wilder Jr. (21.5 FP) was 11th with Ottawa quarterback Trevor Harris’ 21.2 FP was 13th.
When it comes to usage, only Sinopoli (5,916) ranked in the Top 20. Only 744 users were bold enough to play Bethel-Thompson, with Green managing 1,271 users.
Fantasy analysis: The Argonauts are off in Week 9, but a resurgent Spencer is going to see more than 1,611 users when the REDBLACKS host the Alouettes on Saturday night. This is also a good week to continue reestablishing trust in Harris as a reliable pivot, and another strong outing also means Sinopoli continues one of the best stretches of play in his outstanding career.
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Argos’ SJ Green had his best performance of the 2018 campaign, racking up 34.4 FP for all of those sceptical owners. (Matt Smith, CFL.ca)
Pretty Catchy: Receivers dominated the landscape in Week 8, with seven of the 10 highest scorers coming from the position. Spencer, Green and Sinopoli were joined by Calgary’s Kamar Jorden (29.5 FP), who finished fourth, with Hamilton’s Jalen Saunders fifth at 28 FP, Derel Walker of the Eskimos at sixth with 27.4 FP and Brandon Banks of the Ticats right behind him at 25.9 FP.
Fantasy Analysis: Banks and Saunders will face a tough challenge from an improved Blue Bombers secondary when Hamilton meets Winnipeg on Friday night. While quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has thrown for over 300 yards in 10 of his last 11 starts, he will be facing a defence that has the second-best opponents’ quarterback efficiency and QB rating. With only six teams in action in Week 9, Masoli and his salary will be a tough call.
If Only They Had Known…Two of the most used players in Week 8 never played a down. Calgary running back Don Jackson had the fourth most users at 5,962 yet a lower-body injury sidelined the Stampeders’ leading rusher for a second straight game. Stamps teammate Eric Rogers had knee surgery on Wednesday, yet it didn’t keep 4,187 users from plugging him into the lineup.
Fantasy Analysis: An open week will give Jackson extra time to heal before the August 19 game against Saskatchewan. Rogers, placed on the 6-game Injured List, isn’t helping anyone’s Fantasy cause soon. Jorden has established himself as the WR1 in Calgary, with DaVaris Daniels and Marken Michel seeing more targets in their direction.
D-Will (But Just Not This Week): Edmonton receiver Duke Williams was the third most used player (6,138) but the Eskimos dynamo was neutralized by Saskatchewan’s secondary, leading him to finish with a season-low 6.1 FP, placing him 48th overall.
Fantasy Analysis: He was due for a bad outing but give credit where it’s due: The Roughriders did a stellar job of containing him, as he didn’t catch a pass until the fourth quarter. Williams is a good rebound play this week when the Eskimos visit the Lions on Thursday night. Fantasy users should keep in mind that Williams put up 24.9 FP in the previous meeting in Week 3.
Tre Day: Roughriders running back Tre Mason finished with 18.5 FP, the 17th best effort in Week 8. Mason was 27th in usage, making him a bigger bargain than teammate Marcus Thigpen, who had 13.8 FP while being the second most used player (6,506), just behind Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell’s 7,244.
Fantasy Analysis: The former NFL back is continuing to push for more touches as the backup to Thigpen. Saskatchewan is off this week, but neither Mason nor Thigpen are going to be ideal Fantasy options when they host Calgary on August 19.
Oh, We Didn’t Forget About Johnny: Montreal quarterback Johnny Manziel’s CFL debut led to four interceptions, one scoring drive and -3.4 Fantasy points. Manziel was 24th in usage at 2,475, leaving those users feeling, well, negative about the lack of production Johnny Football provided.
Fantasy Analysis: It can only get better for Manziel, who takes on an Ottawa pass defence that was taken apart by Bethel-Thompson in the second half of Toronto’s win. Don’t expect that kind of production from Manziel, but he will fare better on Saturday night.
Look Who’s Back? The Roughriders returned Duron Carter to receiver after he spent much of the past five games playing defensive back. He showed that can still make plays on the offensive side of the ball, finishing with a touchdown and 15 Fantasy points in the loss to the Eskimos.
Fantasy Analysis: It may take some time to feel good about playing Carter, who was 17th in usage (3,684). The Riders are off this week before returning to take on the Stampeders in Week 10. A better play with Carter will come against the Lions on August 25.
Stanback and Watch: One of the few highlights of Montreal’s loss to Hamilton was the play of backup running back/return specialist William Stanback, who put up 10.3 FP. Stanback had 55 yards on just six carries, including a nifty 35-yard run that showed the power and speed of the rookie.
Fantasy Analysis: Tyrell Sutton shouldn’t worry yet, but as the Alouettes continue to start piecing together their future, Stanback will continue to see more touches on offence. It will be interesting to see how coach Mike Sherman uses him against Ottawa on Saturday.
