Start vs Sit: When the going gets tough, trust in Adams

Brandon C. Williams

CFL.ca

Week 15 brings us a full slate of games that include the month’s second triple-header on Saturday. As the calendar approaches October and the winds usher in the first chills of fall, playoff positioning intensifies just as those participating in TSN CFL Fantasy football leagues seek to make a final push toward the top.

Each of the four games offer intriguing start/sit options, with the Eskimos-REDBLACKS game teeming with a host of strong start considerations not named Mike Reilly. Who’s the best play and who’s worthy of skipping past? The answers lie below.

Montreal (3-9-0) at Winnipeg (5-7-0)

Friday | 8:30 p.m. ET

Start: Darvin Adams, WR. Blue Bombers, $6,350 Salary

Adams — not running back Andrew Harris ($7,666) — has been the most consistent Fantasy producer of late on the Winnipeg roster, scoring double-digit Fantasy points in seven of his last nine games, a feat more impressive considering the issues pivot Matt Nichols ($6,726) had during the Bombers’ current four-game losing streak. Although the Als’ pass defence has improved of late, they are still last in the league with 320.3 yards per game while allowing a league-high 24 passing majors. Despite having just one game of over 100 yards receiving this season, Adams is still averaging 16.2 yards per catch and has five receptions of better than 30 yards, two numbers Fantasy users should keep in mind if they don’t want to go overboard on salary.

Sit: B.J. Cunningham, WR, Alouettes, $4,944 Salary

Just when it was safe to add Cunningham in Fantasy lineups, along came last week’s two catches for 20 yards, snapping a streak of three straight games in which he had at least 82 yards receiving. Montreal’s pivot situation added its latest chapter on Monday when it was announced that Johnny Manziel ($6,000) would get the start, which is bad news for Cunningham considering he had just five receptions for 31 yards in the two games Manziel started. For all their recent woes, the Blue Bombers defence still is tough to crack, as they have allowed just 10 touchdown passes while also recording 13 interceptions. In short, Cunningham isn’t a good play.

Diontae Spencer may just have the game he’s been waiting for all season when he and the REDBLACKS play host to an Edmonton Eskimos team that’s earned a knack for giving up the big play. (Patrick Doyle, CFL.ca)

Edmonton (7-5-0) at Ottawa (7-5-0)

Saturday | 4:00 p.m. ET

Start: Diontae Spencer, WR/RS, REDBLACKS, $8,789 Salary

This has the potential to be a heck of a day for Spencer, who leads the league with 1,757 all-purpose yards. No team gives up the big play like the Eskimos, who have allowed a league-high 43 jaw-droppers. Eight of those have come on returns, playing perfectly into the strength of Spencer, who is due for a big day on punt returns (9.6 yards per return). Should this become a fireworks show featuring Reilly and Ottawa pivot Trevor Harris ($8,597), there’s little question that Spencer will have a starring role. Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Definitely.

Sit: Greg Ellingson, WR, REDBLACKS, $6,515 Salary

The nation was under a heat wave and the Blue Jays still had American League Wild Card Playoff hopes the last time Ellingson caught a major. If June 28 feels like a long time ago, it’s because it is. Ellingson showed signs of his 2017 self with three straight 100-yard games, but has managed a combined 87 yards in his last two outings. Touchdowns aren’t the only thing missing from Ellingson’s game, as he has only one reception of better than 30 yards, and that also came in the Week 3 loss at Calgary. While it’s hard to bench a talent like Ellingson, the numbers suggest otherwise.

Saskatchewan (7-5-0) at Toronto (3-8-0)

Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET

Start: Kyran Moore, WR/RS, Roughriders, $2,500 Salary

Here’s a value pick that, although a roll of the dice, will allow Fantasy users to load up salary elsewhere. Moore had 200 all-purpose yards in last Saturday’s loss to Ottawa that was highlighted by a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown, his second of the season. What brings Moore to the table is the hope that Roughriders coach Chris Jones finds a way to get him more involved in the offence. Moore had 44 yards on just two receptions last week and rushed once for three yards. Another reason to consider Moore: Toronto is last in the league in opponent’s punt return average at 14.8 yards per return. Twelve of the Riders’ 27 majors this season have come from either the defence or return teams, all the Moore justification to use the explosive do-all.

Sit: Tre Mason, RB, Roughriders, $4,334 Salary

Coming off his first 100-yard game against the Blue Bombers in Week 13, Mason had a good follow-up in last week’s loss to the REDBLACKS, finishing with 68 yards on 14 carries. However, two things stick out about Mason: 1) he failed to catch a pass last week, the second time in the last three games that has happened and 2) Mason has yet to score a touchdown this season. There is some temptation in giving Mason a shot here, as Toronto has allowed 31 offensive touchdowns and is eighth in rushing yards allowed, but with Mason suddenly one-dimensional, don’t give in to the little voice telling you to give Mason a start.

Yes, Jennings showed signs of his 2016 self in last week’s win over the Alouettes, but a Ticats pass-rush isn’t one to be taking lightly when it comes to Saturday’s cat fight in BC. (The Canadian Press)

Hamilton (6-6-0) at BC (5-6-0)

Saturday | 10:00 p.m. ET

Start: Jeremiah Johnson, RB, Lions, $6,733 Salary

He’s due…he’s due…keep whispering that, for the more that Fantasy users do so, the more that they’ll start Johnson, who faces the league’s worst run defence. Hamilton allows 117.7 yards per game and just under 6.1 yards per carry, numbers that should play well for Johnson. With Jonathon Jennings ($5,680) under center, expect the Lions to be more run-friendly, which should give Johnson his best shot to cross the 100-yard mark for the first time since Week 19 of the 2016 season. Just remember: he’s due…he’s due…

Sit: Jonathon Jennings, QB, Lions, $5,680 Salary

Stop. We know what you’re thinking. Yes, Jennings is a punt single of a value play, and yes, Jennings showed flashes of his 2016 self in last week’s win over the Alouettes. However, one shouldn’t pay for “flashes,” especially when those brief spells of yesteryear are trying to happen against the league’s most stingy pass defence (219.3 yards per game) and the third-best in fewest total yards allowed (334.1). Jennings may get a run here and make a downfield play there, but overall, attempting to go cheap at pivot with Jennings doesn’t stand much of a chance to pay off.

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