Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2) vs Montreal Alouettes (1-1)

Friday, August 27th, 2021 7:30pm EST @ Percival Molson Memorial Stadium

Make or Break Time for Hamilton

After dropping their first two games, the Tiger-Cats need to win tonight. An 0-3 start would put the team in a hole that would be hard to climb out of. They hope that new starting quarterback Dane Evans will give the team a boost in terms of offensive production, something that they desperately need. 

Key Matchups

Dane Evans vs. Vernon Adams Jr.

Although Dane Evans has only attempted 10 passes in 2021, most CFL fans are aware of what he did in 2019. If he can perform at the same level he did two years ago, the Tiger-Cats should be better off than they have been in the past few weeks. As for the Alouettes, Vernon Adams has thrown for over 200 yards in each of his first two starts, and only has a single interception. Evans is certainly the underdog, but Adams’ hot streak can end at any time. 

Brandon Banks vs. Jake Wieneke 

I included Banks in my last game preview article, and he’ll likely be featured in all the preview articles moving forward. Maybe that seems a bit boring, but Banks has a very large role in the Tiger-Cats offense which is hard to ignore. He’s one of the CFL’s best receivers, and although he is yet to catch a touchdown this season, there’s a good chance that could change tonight. Jake Wieneke has been the most productive pass-catcher for the Alouettes, with two touchdowns in the first two games of 2021. He’ll look to continue that streak against Hamilton.

Tyrice Beverette vs. Chris Ackie

Beverette recorded 4 tackles and a sack in the Tiger-Cats last game against the Roughriders. While Chris Ackie only had 3 tackles for the Alouettes in their last game, he has always been a solid and reliable option at the linebacker position. Now that Ackie is 29, though, he only has a few more productive years left in his career. Beverette is only 26, which is usually an age where players enter their prime. Look for Beverette to start playing a similar role as Ackie for the Tiger-Cats. 

Injury Report

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

TE – Jake Burt – OUT (quad)

WR – Marcus Tucker – OUT (foot)

OL – Chris Van Zeyl – OUT (hamstring & thumb)

DB – Mike Daly – OUT (neck)

DB – Channing Stribling – OUT (healthy scratch)

RB – Maleek Irons – OUT (hamstring)

RB – Don Jackson – OUT (healthy scratch)

DL – Ja’Gared Davis – OUT (non football related)

DL – Dylan Wynn – OUT (calf)

DL – Lorenzo Mauldin IV – OUT (hamstring)

DL – Ted Laurent – Questionable (knee)

QB – Jeremiah Masoli – Questionable (ribs)

Montreal Alouettes

DB – Wesley Sutton – OUT (finger)

DB – Najee Murray – OUT (knee)

WR – Dante Absher – OUT (healthy scratch)

RB – Cameron Artis-Payne – OUT (healthy scratch)

OL – Chris Schleuger – OUT (healthy scratch)

Fantasy Preview

Vernon Adams should be a safe start at quarterback in this matchup, but if you’ve picked up Dane Evans, it would probably be smart to keep him on the bench for this game. If he plays well and starts again next week, then you can move forward with him. However, the idea of Masoli returning can’t be ignored. Brandon Banks and Jake Wieneke are both great options at receiver (if you have them), and Montreal’s BJ Cunningham could also have a productive night. Another Alouettes player, William Stanback, has been pretty reliable at running back, and I wouldn’t hesitate starting him against a mediocre Tiger-Cats defense. The Tiger-Cats running backs should still be avoided, as none of them have shown much promise from a fantasy perspective.

Summary

This game means more for Hamilton than it does for Montreal. While the Alouettes will look to get above .500, a loss for the Tiger-Cats could potentially mean the end of their playoff chances. It’s still pretty early in the season, but an 0-3 start is never a good look.