POWER RANKINGS

WEEK 2

1 Edmonton So much for the B.C. Lions bandwagon. Many observers were expecting the Lions to be a West Division powerhouse this season, and that scenario may yet materialize. However, the Eskimos marched into BC Place on Saturday and won 30-27 while employing a relentless pass rush. Eskimos’ quarterback, Mike Reilly is one of the best.

2 Calgary The Stampeders had a chance to post an opening week win in Ottawa, only to lament a 37-yard missed field goal by the normally reliable Rene Paredes in overtime. The Stampeders are generally a safe bet, considering their perennial excellence. Give them the nod over Ottawa following a 31-31 tie, because one point on the road is a greater accomplishment than one at home.

3 Ottawa The defending Grey Cup champions are missing stalwarts such as Henry Burris (retired) and Ernest Jackson (now with Montreal), but they are still blessed with abundant talent. Any team that can go toe-to-toe, or cleat-to-cleat, with Calgary belongs on the podium.

4 Toronto The Argos, of whom little was expected outside the organization, delivered a Week 1 stunner. They defeated Hamilton 32-15 and, really, the score flattered the Tiger-Cats. Toronto won handily despite two dropped touchdown passes. The impact of head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Jim Popp is duly noted.

5 Winnipeg The Blue Bombers, who had a Week 1 bye, have yet to win or lose — so let’s put them right in the middle. Clearly, this is an exact science. The Bombers, after a breakout year in 2016, should field a competitive team again this year. They are blessed with an opportunistic defence, an amazing placekicker (Justin Medlock) and the steadying hand of Matt Nichols at quarterback. As long as head coach Mike O’Shea doesn’t call for any 61-yard field-goal attempts, the Bombers should be okay.

6 B.C. Anyone who glances at the first few choices may be wondering where the Lions are. After so many pre-season accolades, Wally Buono’s crew suffered a Week 1 loss at home. The offensive line was a sieve and the secondary was vulnerable over the top.

7 Montreal Dating back to last season, Jacques Chapdelaine now has a 5-2 record as the Alouettes’ head coach. Most of the victories, however, have been against weaker teams. Which brings us to ...

8 Saskatchewan An opening-week loss in Montreal leaves the Roughriders with a 1-18 record in June/July/August since 2015. Don’t label them the boys of summer just yet. On a brighter note, the Roughriders are coming off a one-point loss after lamenting a number of blowouts in recent years. Progress?

9 Hamilton How can a Kent Austin-coached team look so ragged? Yes, the Tiger-Cats are battling injuries — so what else is new? — but they were a complete and utter mess against Toronto. The Tiger-Cats have the bye in Week 2, so there is something to be said for consistency. After all, many of the Hamilton players took off Week 1 as well.