Last week was one of the stranger weeks in the young 2021 Canadian Football League season. We had our first postponed games of the season when Edmonton entered #CoronaSZN. Their game against Toronto was postponed. In other games, Hamilton got off the schneid by spoiling the Alouettes’ home debut in Montreal. BC traveled to Canada’s capital and took care of business against the RedBlacks before their bye week. In the game of the week, Calgary’s last-second field goal attempt went wide in Winnipeg as the Blue Bombers advanced to a 3-1 record. It’s Labor Day weekend in the CFL and that means Rivalry Weekend. Time to make some picks and hope for a better week in CFL Fantasy week 5.

Quarterback: Dane Evans (HAM – $10030)

Last week, Evans filled in for Jeremiah Masoli, who is recovering from rib injuries. The Tulsa alumni was haunted by the Alouettes’ defense for six sacks. However, he did more than enough to help the Tiger-Cats take down the Als, 27-10. Evans was 16 of 22 for 183 yards and two touchdowns. This week, the Tiger-Cats host Toronto in the Labor Day Classic. The Argonauts come off an impromptu bye week due to Edmonton’s COVID breakout. Evans faces a rebuild Argos’ defense, but has good history against the Boatmen. He passed for 442 yards in the 2019 Labor Day Classic. While I don’t see him passing for that many yards this week, Evans does have receiving talent around him that can put up points.

Running Backs: William Powell (SSK – $8286)

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are coming off a bye week and they’ll be at home for the fourth time in this young season. They’ll face Winnipeg on Sunday afternoon the week before the Banjo Bowl. The Blue Bombers are surprisingly last in preventing the run in the 2021 season, allowing over 102 yards of rushing per game. That makes any running back salivate with joy and a rivalry game only amplified the salivating. Powell hasn’t had a 100-yard rushing game yet this season, but that could change on Sunday. That makes him worth only filling one running back roster spot this week.

Wide Receivers

Derel Walker (EDM – $7070)

The Elks hope that their COVID outbreak is behind them and it’s back to action in their Labor Day rivalry against Calgary. Walker is quarterback Trevor Harris’ primary target and while his last game wasn’t great, he should bounce back against the Stampeders. The Stamps’ pass defense has been prone to surrendering big pass plays as was evident against Winnipeg last Sunday. I expect a big game from Walker.

Markeith Ambles (CGY – $6053)

Ambles has established good chemistry with quarterback Jake Maier with 11 receptions for 171 yards over the last two weeks. He had 58 yards in Winnipeg last week. While he’s one of several options Maier has against the Elks, the Stamps face the toughest passing defense. The Elks surrender an average of only 137 yards per game, but who knows what they’ll look like after an unscheduled bye week? Pardon the rhyme, but Ambles is worth the gamble in CFL Fantasy this week.

Flex

Rasheed Bailey (WPG – $4453)

Even in the sea of receivers that Winnipeg has, Bailey has become a favorite target of quarterback Zach Collaros as of late. Last week, he had five receptions for 108 yards, including a 50-yard catch and run that was capped by a touchdown. Bailey had two consecutive games with a touchdown up until last week. If Winnipeg’s offensive line can keep Saskatchewan’s vaunted pass rush at bay, he could have a big game again.

Defense: Montreal ($3340)

The Alouettes’ defensive line took advantage of a weakened Hamilton offensive line last week, sacking Tiger-Cats quarterback Dane Evans six times. That wasn’t enough to ensure a victory in their home opener as the offense struggled to score points. This week, the Als travel to Ottawa and face a RedBlacks team that is likewise on the struggle bus. The RedBlacks are dead last in passing offense and have surrendered 14 sacks in three games. If the Als can keep the RedBlacks out of the end zone in addition to racking up sacks, let the points rain down in CFL Fantasy.

Cap Space Remaining: $768

Happy Fantasy-ing!

I’m Ryan McCarthy and I’m the three-headed Hydra for Belly Up Sports (writer, podcast host, and live stream host). I hope you enjoyed my analysis. Don’t forget more of our in-depth fantasy football coverage, including BUFL Football every Tuesday! Want to talk CFL, sports, or life in general? Hit me up on Twitter by searching for my handle, @whoisryanmcc.