July 28, 2023

From the Editor’s Desk: See you in Halifax, Week 8!

Kevin Sousa/CFL.ca

Like Maui serenades in Moana, I’m starting this article by singing, “you’re welcome.”

For what, you ask?

Well, a few hours before the Calgary Stampeders took on the Ottawa REDBLACKS on Sunday, I sent out a wish to the football Gods to give us another overtime thriller. Check the time stamp on my tweet below.

I really didn’t think we’d get so lucky to enjoy two OT games a week apart, let alone two that involved the same team, but I still put the ask out there, hoping someone, somewhere heard my plea.

And we were treated to one of the best CFL games I’ve ever seen. You’re welcome.

I gave a shout out to Nate Behar last week in this article and I’d like to shout him out once again for being the most clutch player in the CFL two weeks in a row. He’s also caught three two-point converts on the season, which I thought was pretty cool. Well done, Nate. *slow clap*

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QB – Dustin Crum ($7,500) CAPTAIN
RB – Taquan Mizzell ($13,5000
RB – Devonte Williams ($7,600)
WR – Marken Michel ($6,000)
WR – Austin Mack ($12,000)
Flex – DaVaris Daniels ($10,200)
Defence – BC Lions ($11,000)

With a price tag of $7,500, it almost seemed like a no-brainer to take Dustin Crum as my quarterback this week. The Tiger-Cats have given up the third-most passing yards so far this season, 292.3 yards per game, and have allowed the second-most passing touchdowns (nine). I’m hoping that Crum will continue to be a dual threat with his arm and his legs on Friday night.

It’s likely that the Tiger-Cats have a plan for containing Crum from running the football, perhaps they have a linebacker’s assignment to spy on him like Cameron Judge did for most of the game last week. In that case, I’m hoping Devonte Williams will be called upon to take the bulk of the carries, so I took him at running back. My other back is Taquan Mizzell, which may change depending on the Lions depth chart that is released on Friday. The Elks give up the most yards on the ground (144.9) and Mizzell has proven that he’s dangerous every time he carries the rock. I think he’ll be hungry in his return to the field.

My receivers are Marken Michel and Austin Mack. Michel probably isn’t going to double dip in the touchdown department like he did last week but at $6,000, it’s worth the selection based on the chemistry he’s building with Jake Maier. Mack has been one of my go-tos on my CFL Fantasy rosters every week as he’s been Cody Fajardo’s favourite target this year. I don’t see that changing this week against Calgary.

My FLEX is DaVaris Daniels. The Argos don’t technically have a No. 1 target, they spread the ball around to all of their pass-catchers, and I keep taking the wrong one each week! I’m hoping it’s Daniels’ week after his 18.0 FP performance last week against the Tiger-Cats.

I’m taking the BC Lions defence against Edmonton. I usually don’t like spending a lot on defence but with the Elks offensive struggles, I don’t mind going for it this week.

KRISTINA’S PICKS

Hamilton at Ottawa
Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET

The Ottawa REDBLACKS have suddenly become the league’s most exciting team after their back-to-back overtime victories. Dustin Crum is as fun to watch as any quarterback in the league and I think he and the REDBLACKS offence can do what they’ve been doing the last two weeks against Hamilton. Ottawa’s defence has also been great this season and they’ll have Bo Levi Mitchell to deal with as he makes his return to the field this week.

PICK: Ottawa

Saskatchewan at Toronto (Touchdown Atlantic)
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET

Touchdown Atlantic is always a party, and it should be just as exciting on the field. I’m having trouble finding any weaknesses on the Argos right now, except for the team taking a lot of penalties – they’ve taken 52, second-most in the CFL, for 525 yards. I don’t see Toronto losing their first game of the season against the Riders in Halifax.

PICK: Toronto

BC at Edmonton
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET

The Lions will be rolling without Vernon Adams Jr. this weekend, as he deals with an injury. The veteran backup Dane Evans looked good in his debut last week in relief of Adams Jr. (16 of 26 for 219, a touchdown and an interception). His play plus Ryan Phillips’ strong defence is a recipe for a win against a struggling Elks team.

PICK: BC

Calgary at Montreal
Sunday, 7:00 p.m. ET

Jake Maier and the Stampeders offence was clicking last week, and I think it carries over this week against the Alouettes, despite Montreal coming back refreshed from their bye.

PICK: Calgary

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