Dave Chidley/CFL.ca
What started as a common dream for nine teams will be realized by only one. The path that started in training camps in the warmth of May will pay off in the chill of Calgary on Sunday night by either Hamilton or Winnipeg. Whoever hoists the 107th Grey Cup Presented by Shaw will also help decide Fantasy titles for those who competed in the postseason version of TSN CFL Fantasy Football Presented by Leo Vegas.
One last time, one last dance until we do this again in June. Who starts? Who sits?
(With double the pleasure for both teams!)
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Hamilton vs. Winnipeg
Sunday 6:00 p.m. ET
Line: Hamilton (-3)
O/U: 52
Start: Dane Evans, QB, Tiger-Cats, $9,753 Salary
Ticats fans had every reason to be worried about Evans after he threw for just 94 yards and an interception in relief of injured Jeremiah Masoli in Week 7. They had plenty to be worried about in Week 11 when Evans threw a pair of picks and only 194 yards against BC.
Oh, how things have changed. Since then, Evans has been lethal, amassing at least 300 passing yards in seven of his last eight games, including a pair of 400-yard outings. He has also tossed 17 of his 22 touchdown passes in the same span. The Bombers know all too well what a changed Evans looks like after he hit them for 359 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 16 win. With East Division All-Star receivers Brandon Banks ($14,000) and Bralon Addison ($10175) at his side, Evans has a golden opportunity to complete his unlikely story while also bringing the Grey Cup to Hamilton for the first time since 1999.
Sit: Cameron Marshall, RB, Tiger-Cats, $5632 Salary
Few running backs can claim success against Winnipeg’s run defence this season. The Blue Bombers’ run D has been brutal as an Arctic blast, allowing a league-low 64.2 yards per game on the ground. Opposing backs averaged a league-low 4.5 yards per carry while Winnipeg also gave up just nine rushing majors.
Marshall, who had nine carries for 31 yards in last week’s East Final win over the Eskimos, may not be the starting back, as Tyrell Sutton — currently on the 1-game Injured List — could make his return on Sunday. Sutton ($5590) didn’t fare well against the Bombers in Week 16, managing just 25 yards on eight carries. Regardless who starts, don’t be surprised if the Tiger-Cats ways to get Addison and Anthony Coombs ($3450) involved to throw off the Winnipeg defence.
Start: Darvin Adams, WR, Blue Bombers, $6,641 Salary
“When Darvin Met Zach” would be a good subtitle to Winnipeg’s two playoff wins. Finally healthy, Adams teamed up with new starting pivot Zach Collaros ($6361) beginning with their regular-season finale. Since then, the two have combined for 10 completions for 218 yards and two touchdowns, with Adams recording receptions of 71 and 63 yards thus far in the postseason.
Hamilton’s pass defence has been solid, topping the league with only 17 passing majors allowed. The Tiger-Cats also led the league in opponents’ passing efficiency (79.9) while yielding just 18 completions of better than 30 yards. The run-oriented Winnipeg offence will obviously hinge their hopes on All-Star running back Andrew Harris ($8503), but Collaros will definitely test the Hamilton secondary early with a deep shot to Adams.
Sit: Nic Demski, WR, Blue Bombers, $5,061 Salary
Demski has also been a contributor in Winnipeg’s path to Calgary, combining for six catches for 81 yards and four carries for 56 yards and a touchdown in the two playoff wins. There’s no question Demski can make an impact anytime he touches the ball, but the lack of extensive touches works against him.
There’s also the fact that Demski hasn’t caught a touchdown pass since Week 10. He also has just two games of better than 44 yards in the same span as he’s been mostly utilized in quick hitters instead of getting downfield. Those interested in using Demski will have to hope he can maximize his touches against a Hamilton defence that gave up just 32 explosive plays in the regular season. It will be up to Zach Collaros to get Demski in the open field, where his ability to elude defenders makes an underrated but potentially dangerous difference m
