CFL Super Power Rankings: Montreal surprisingly turns East into tight three-team race

Welcome to the new 55-Yard Line CFL super power rankings. Every Thursday we'll look back at the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming week, and rank the best teams and anything else we see fit to rank.

The hottest team in the CFL, as unlikely as it seems, is the Montreal Alouettes. After losing six in a row from Weeks 3-to-9, the Alouettes were 1-7 and in last place in the East. The offence was a mess, the defence allowed at least 30 points in four of the six losses, they tried out four different quarterbacks, and they made bold changes to their coaching staff.

At the time the changes seemed to be like putting lipstick on a pig, but since then they've won six of seven and both the offence and defence are clicking. Over its recent four-game win streak, Montreal has averaged 26.5 points for and just 10.75 against (compared to the full season averages of 20.3 for and 22.2 against).

Jonathon Crompton deserves a lot of credit for his play at quarterback. He's been good, not great, but has stabilized the offence and unlike his QB predecessors, he has not turned the ball over often. The real credit, however, should go to the Montreal defence.

The turnaround has turned the East Division on its head. Left for dead six weeks ago, the Alouettes are now leading the East (on tiebreakers) and in good position to be the unlikely host of the East final. But that's far from a given. The Als have three games left, one a should-be gimme against Ottawa, then against the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats, with whom they're battling for a playoff spot. It's still likely the third-place team in the East will be left out of the playoffs. It would be a great story if Montreal was one of the two teams left standing.

Team rankings:

1.

Calgary Stampeders (13-2; Previous: 1) – With the West Division clinched they can, and should, rest their stars a little bit down the stretch.

2.

Edmonton Eskimos (11-5; Previous: 2) – Second-half comeback over the Roughriders was sparked by Kendial Lawrence, who had a pretty interesting year playing football in Italy. Second in the West, and a home playoff date, are nearly locked up.

3.

Montreal Alouettes (7-8; Previous: 4) – We’ve continued to underestimate them the last couple weeks, but they deserve to be this high.

4.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-8; Previous: 6) – It wasn’t pretty, but they beat Ottawa to stay tied atop the East. They’re pushing hard for their fans to take over the Rogers Centre this week against Toronto.

5.

B.C. Lions (8-7; Previous: 5) – They’re in a good position coming out of the bye week. Third place in the West is well within their sights and they still own a crossover playoff spot. They’re 3-4 against the West, 5-3 against the East.

6.

Toronto Argonauts (6-9; Previous: 3) – The loss to the Alouettes is a big blow to their playoff hopes. Saturday vs. Hamilton is a near must-win.

7.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7; Previous: 7) – Now losers of four in a row, and they’re starting 41-year-old Kerry Joseph at quarterback. But their problems are bigger than that.

8.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-10; Previous: 9) – The losing streak is up to seven, but they get a bump for at least putting up a fight against the Stampeders. Unlike the …

9.

Ottawa Redblacks (2-13; Previous: 8) – Who were pretty dismal in their loss to the Tiger-Cats. The other East teams must be excited every time they see Ottawa on the schedule down the stretch.

Coming up in Week 18:

Montreal at Ottawa, Friday, 6:30 ET – Since a 42-point outburst at home in Week 15, Ottawa scored three, and six points in road losses in B.C. and Hamilton. Should the Redblacks be giving a young quarterback a chance to play instead of going back to Henry Burris week after week? Montreal is 2-0 against Ottawa, but both games were close. Pick: Alouettes.

Saskatchewan at Calgary, Friday, 9:30 ET – What happens when a team mired in their worst skid of the season meets a team with nothing left to play for? Saskatchewan has already clinched a playoff spot but have lost four in a row. They need to right the ship before the playoffs begin. Will the Stamps let Jon Cornish chase the rushing yards title or rest him down the stretch? Pick: Roughriders.

Hamilton at Toronto, Saturday, 4 ET – The game of the week. The Argos rallied for a one-point win over the Ticats two weeks ago in Toronto. Hamilton is pulling out all the stops to gain a home-field advantage on the road. Toronto needs to get its offence back on track, though Hamilton’s wasn’t much better last week. Each of their two head-to-head games have been decided by one point. It’s a toss up. Pick: Argonauts.

B.C. at Winnipeg, Saturday, 7 ET – The Lions are coming off a bye and still have a lot to play for. A loss will eliminate Winnipeg from postseason contention, but they expect to have Drew Willy back at quarterback. Despite losing two of three, the Lions' Jekyll and Hyde defence is looking good again. Pick: Lions.

Disagree with our rankings and picks? Join the conversation on Twitter with @IanDenomme and @YahooSportsCFL.