CFL DFS Picks and Cheat Sheet for Division Finals on DraftKings
After an exciting pair of Division Semifinals, we're set for what should be an equally scintillating Division Finals on Saturday. Four talented quarterbacks with plenty of pass-catching weapons and strong running games are in play, setting up what should be a highly entertaining two-game DFS slate.
As customary, we'll break down multiple options for each roster spot and also offer a trio of core plays to consider making the centerpiece of your lineups.
Quarterback Plays for CFL Division Finals
Nathan Rourke, B.C. at SSK ($10,700): Rourke essentially doesn't need a case made for him at this point, as he's been providing MOP-worthy numbers all season long and is a threat to be the player you had to have on any slate in order to take down a tournament.
The prolific signal-caller didn't have to do as much as usual in the Semifinals win over the Stampeders, but he carries an ultra-safe floor and threw for 337 and 368 yards in his two meetings with the Roughriders during the regular season. Saskatchewan also allowed the second-most passing yards per contest (285.6) during the campaign, furthering Rourke's case.
Davis Alexander, MTL at HAM ($10,200): Alexander has been outstanding since returning from since returning from injury in late September, throwing for 240 to 350 yards in the three games he's played since, including last week's Semifinals win over the Blue Bombers.
The ascending signal-caller also exhibits good ball security and is facing a Tiger-Cats defense that allowed 281.5 passing yards per game during the season, and Alexander has the benefit of a deep pass-catching corps that he enjoys good chemistry with and has proven adept at hitting for plenty of chunk plays thanks to a versatile collective skill set.
ALSO CONSIDER: Trevor Harris, SSK vs. B.C. ($9,300)
Running Back Plays for CFL Division Finals
A.J. Ouellette, SSK vs. B.C. ($8,100): Ouellette is rested coming out of the Roughriders' postseason bye and should therefore be in line to rack up some production against a Lions defense that surrendered 105.3 rushing yards per contest at 5.0 yards per carry during the regular season.
Ouellette offers plenty as a receiver as well and posted 139- and 72-yard rushing efforts in the two contests against the Lions during the season where he played a full amount of snaps. Given the safe floor his dual role affords him, he's certainly in play at his salary.
Stevie Scott III, MTL at HAM ($7,700): Scott has taken firm control of the Alouettes' ground attack in recent weeks, and he posted an impressive 18-carry, 133-yard, two-TD performance versus the Blue Bombers in last week's Eastern Semifinals win. The Indiana product added a 3-29-0 receiving line as well, corroborating his versatile skill set.
The Tiger-Cats finished the season allowing a CFL-high 111.0 rushing yards per game at a league-high 5.7 yards per carry, so on paper, the matchup couldn't be better. Given what should be a robust workload, Scott is very viable at his salary.
ALSO CONSIDER: Greg Bell, HAM vs. MTL ($7,900)
Wide Receiver/Slotback Plays for CFL Division Finals
Keon Hatcher, B.C. at SSK ($10,200): Hatcher is another mainstay in this space, just like his quarterback Rourke. With the latter a bit less busy as a passer in the Western Semifinal win over the Stampeders last Saturday, Hatcher had a quiet day with four catches for 51 yards, but he's coming off a career-best regular season that saw him accumulate 102 receptions for 1,688 yards and nine TDs.
Hatcher will be in position to exploit the frequent generosity in terms of yardage often exhibited by the Riders defense, which includes the third-most completions of 30+ yards allowed (30) and fourth-most yards after the catch (1,993).
Tyson Philpot, MTL at HAM ($9,900): Philpot's skill set and chemistry with Alexander makes him a logical pair if you're going for an Alouettes stack. The native Canadian finished the regular season with a career-best 61-804-5 receiving line and followed it up with a 10-135-1 line against the Blue Bombers in last week's playoff win.
As noted in Alexander's entry, the Tiger-Cats have given up some elevated passing yardage this season, and Philpot has the skills to operate successfully in any area of the field while consistently drawing an elevated amount of targets.
Samuel Emilus, SSK vs. B.C. ($9,000): Emilus will be back on the field Saturday after sitting out Week 21, leaving him with plenty of rest after a long regular season. The talented wideout should be in line to serve as one of Trevor Harris' main targets yet again, considering KeeSean Johnson (knee) will not be available.
Emilus posted 588 receiving yards across only seven games this season, averaging a career-best 84.0 yards per game in the process. That included a 2-78 tally against B.C. on three targets back in Week 7, and as those numbers imply, the Louisiana Tech product has the downfield chops to exploit a defense that surrendered the second-most completions of 30+ yards this season (31).
ALSO CONSIDER: Tim White, HAM vs. MTL ($8,900)
Team Defense Plays for CFL Division Finals
Saskatchewan Roughriders ($4,500) vs. B.C. Lions:
The Roughriders are well-rested after a first-round bye and are at home, two factors that automatically puts their unit on our radar this week, despite the unenviable matchup against Rourke and his collection of weapons. Saskatchewan finished the regular season allowing a league-low 409 points (22.7 PPG). The Riders also held a No. 2 ranking in yards (341.5) and first downs (339) allowed per game, and they recorded the second-most sacks (43), forced fumbles (15) and interceptions (24).
The Riders surrendered 27 points to the Lions in their non-Week-21 meeting with B.C., a respectable figure considering the Lions' firepower and the fact that came in a victory. Saskatchewan's ability to get to the quarterback and take the ball through both hits and INTs also makes its defense a viable option in any matchup, and even though Rourke and his weapons will undoubtedly have their fair share of success, the Riders' defense could still pay off.
CFL DFS Cheat Sheet for Division Finals
Nathan Rourke, QB
Stevie Scott III, RB
Samuel Emilus, WR
Total salary expenditure: $27.4k
Irrespective of Rourke having had a somewhat quiet game by his standards last week, he's always in play and carries the highest ceiling on the slate, while also having a very favorable regular-season track record against the Roughriders. Scott has had quite the stretch run and followed it up with a great playoff performance last week, and he now has an excellent on-paper matchup. And, Emilus should reignite his outstanding chemistry with Harris in what should be a high-scoring, back-and-forth game.
