The B.C. Lions are the surprise story so far this season, starting 2-0 for the first time in four years and putting up the most dominant defence in the CFL.

The Toronto Argonauts are going to have their hands full in Vancouver on Thursday (10 p.m., TSN) going against this suffocating defence.

This is a team that finished 7-11 last season while its defence lagged in the middle of the pack.

Under 66-year-old Wally Buono, back on the sidelines for the first time since the team won the Grey Cup in 2011, the Lions lead the league in fewest points allowed (21), touchdowns allowed (two), interceptions (two) and forced turnovers (six).

Their 28-3 mauling of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last week, after a 20-18 victory over Calgary, caught people’s attention. The Lions had two interceptions, recovered two fumbles and had four sacks in Hamilton.

Buono has loaded up on big, physical defensive backs who are playmakers. They have blended well with core veterans like linebackers Solomon Elimimian, Adam Bighill and defensive back Ryan Phillips.

Buono, a linebacker who played 10 seasons for the Montreal Alouettes from 1973 to 1982, was influenced by his coach Marv Levy.

“It’s about preparation, and it’s about playing smart and playing fast. At the end of it, you’ve got to beat the guy in front of you,” Buono said.

At the beginning of the season, many people doubted the Lions, but Buono told his team: “Don’t let people tell you who you are. It doesn’t matter what they think. It’s more what you think and more about what you think of the guy who sits next to you. People don’t know, but we know who we are.”

Buono, who calls himself the “Benevolent Dictator,” said he makes players accountable and they know what to expect.

“When I played, you were held accountable,” Buono said. “Today’s kids want to be held accountable. A lot of people don’t hold them accountable. Players just want you to be up front with them. That’s all.”

Week’s best game

Calgary (1-1) at Ottawa (2-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

TD Place will be jumping for the Redblacks’ home opener. This is a battle of marquee CFL quarterbacks in Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell and Ottawa’s Trevor Harris. So far, Mitchell has been yielding the spotlight to Jerome Messam, who leads the league in rushing (153). Mitchell’s receivers made him look good last week with Simon Charbonneau-Campeau and Joe West delivering highlight-reel catches. You’ve got to figure Harris and Chris Williams will come back to earth soon. Both were named players of the week by the league Tuesday. Williams has been on fire, leading the league with 363 receiving yards, almost double the next closest (Ottawa’s Brad Sinopoli with 189). Harris has passed for a league-leading 687 yards and six touchdowns. The Redblacks will be without running back Travon Van (six-game injured list), but Kienan LaFrance did a nice job filling in last week.

Rest of the schedule

Winnipeg (0-2) at Hamilton (1-1), Thursday, 7 p.m.

The Ticats were embarrassed by the B.C. Lions last week, so it wasn’t unexpected that coach and general manager Kent Austin made some roster moves, including the release of veteran defensive back Geoff Tisdale. “We just feel we need to get better in that spot,” Austin said. Bombers receiver Weston Dressler returns from a head injury. It’s hard to blame Winnipeg QB Drew Willy, who is the only CFL quarterback to pass for more than 300 yards in each of his two games. Yet the knock against him is that most of the offence comes later in games when teams are protecting leads.

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Saskatchewan (0-1) at Edmonton (0-1) Friday, 10 p.m.

The Eskimos are looking to rebound from their overtime loss to Ottawa in Week 1, and the Roughriders need to get in a rhythm after losing to the Argonauts with a host of new bodies in the lineup. Darian Durant, in his first game in a year, looked sharp. He had the third best QB showing in Week 2 with 310 yards. He also didn’t throw an interception. But the Eskimos have sensational QB Mike Reilly and he’s had the bye week to prepare. The Roughriders got some good news this week with the signing of their 2016 first overall draft pick, Josiah St. John. The 6-foot-5, 309-pound offensive tackle, who had spent the last three seasons at University of Oklahoma, was a training camp holdout.