Culver City Observer -

1. San Francisco 49ers (9-3): The 49ers went into Philadelphia with a relatively health squad and easily defeated the Eagles, 42-19. With blowout wins over the Cowboys and the Eagles, the 49ers are the best team in the NFC. Their next significant challenge will be on Christmas day at home against the Ravens, in a possible preview of the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Next: -10.5 vs Seattle Seahawks – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 7-5 – O/U: 7-5)

2. Dallas Cowboys (9-3): The Cowboys got past the Seahawks, 41-35, and they get ten days to rest for their biggest game of the season. They play the Eagles on Sunday Night in a game that could decide their post-season fate. A win and they have a chance to win the NFC East and win the No. 1 seed, while a loss could drop them down to the No. 5 seed and literally a tough road to the Super Bowl. Next: -2.5 vs Philadelphia Eagles - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 52.5 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 8-4)

3. Miami Dolphins (9-3): The Dolphins easily defeated the Commanders, 45-15. The boat-race win was led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who connected on touchdown bons of 78 yards and 60 tards, in what looked like an old AFL game. Next: -13.5 vs Tennessee Titans - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 47 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 7-5)

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-2): The Eagles got blown out at home by the 49ers and their defense looked like Swiss cheese. They are 10-2 but every game is a struggle and they don't look like a team that is returning to the Super Bowl. Next: +2.5 at Dallas Cowboys – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 52.5 (ATS: 7-3-2 – O/U: 7-5)

5. Baltimore Ravens (9-3): The Ravens are coming off their bye week, so they are well rested and ready for the final five game stretch in the schedule. They are also the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Next: -7.5 vs Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 5-7)

6. Detroit Lions (9-3): The Lions jumped on the Saints early, taking a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and hanging on for a 33-28. The Lions have a three-game lead in the NFC North division with five games remaining. The Lions need to step up their game in the last five weeks. They are battling for the best record in the NFC, and they lack a sense of urgency at times. Next: -3 at Chicago Bears – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 8-4)

7. Kansas City Chiefs (8-4): The Chiefs looked out-of-sync offensively in a 27-19 loss to the Packers. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his receivers were not on the same page in this game and the Chiefs offensive line is suddenly struggling. Next: -2.5 vs Buffalo Bills - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 7-5 – O/U: 4-8)

8. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4): Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was knocked out of the game with the Bengals with a high ankle sprain and that led to an overtime loss to the Bengals at home, 34-31. The secondary did not have a good game for the Jaguars in the loss. Next: +3 at Cleveland Browns - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 30.5 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 6-6)

9. Houston Texans (7-5): The Texans beat the Broncos with their defense, getting three interceptions and three sacks in a 22-17 victory. Rookie Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 274 yards and a touchdown, but he was also sacked five times. Next: -5.5 at New York Jets – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U 32.5 (ATS: 6-6 – O/U: 4-8)

10. Cleveland Browns (7-5): The Browns lost at SoFi Stadium to the Rams, 36-19. With Joe Flacco at starting quarterback, the fourth different starting quarterback this season, things seem to be unraveling on the Browns. Next: -3 vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 30.5 (ATS: 6-5-1 – O/U: 7-5)

11. Seattle Seahawks (6-6): The Seahawks had an impressive loss at Dallas, 41-35. Quarterback Geno Smith threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, all of them to wide receiver DK Metcalf as the Seahawks showed they could compete offensively with the best in the NFL. Next: +10.5 at San Francisco 49ers – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 46.5 (ATS: 5-5-1 – O/U: 5-6)

12. Buffalo Bills (6-6): The Bills are coming off their bye week needing to win football games to get into the playoffs. The Bills play the Chiefs this week in Kansas City, then host the Cowboys, and then take on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Allen vs. Mahomes, Allen vs. Prescott, Allen vs. Herbert. Should be some entertaining football. Next: +2.5 at Kansas City Chiefs - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 47.5 (ATS: 4-8 – O/U: 4-8)

13. Green Bay Packers (6-6): Quarterback Jordan Love outplayed quarterback Patrick Mahomes in a 27-19 win over the Chiefs. Love completed 25 of 36 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns against a Chiefs defense that is considered very good. Next: -6.5 at New York Giants - Mon, Dec. 11 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 7-5 – O/U: 6-6)

14. Denver Broncos (6-6): The Broncos lost at Houston when quarterback Russell Wilson threw an interception in the end zone, enabling the Texans to hold on for a 22-17 victory. Wilson did not have a good game, throwing three interceptions and missing open targets. Next: +2.5 at Los Angeles Chargers - Sun, Sun. 10 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 4-7-1 – O/U: 5-7)

15. Minnesota Vikings (6-6): Ther Vikings come off their bye week and have decided to stick with quarterback Joshua Dobbs as their starter, despite a rash of turnovers. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson is expected to return this week, which should help. Next: -3 at Las Vegas Raiders – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 7-4-1 – O/U: 3-9)

16. Los Angeles Rams (6-6): The Rams have a three-game winning streak after knocking off the Browns, 36-19. The Rams have come together offensively, with the emergence of players like running back Kyren Williams and wide receiver Puka Nacua. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp no longer need to carry the load on offense and the defense still has Aaron Donald. Next: +7.5 at Baltimore Ravens – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 6-5-1 – O/U: 5-7)

17. Indianapolis Colts (7-5): The Colts defeated the Titans and have a real shot at making the playoffs. With Gardner Minshew as their starting quarterback, they are at least feisty and competitive. An interesting team to watch down the stretch. Next: -1.5 at Cincinnati Bengals – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 39.5 (ATS: 8-4 – O/U: 8-4)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5): The Steelers struggled in a bad loss at home to the Cardinals, 24-10. The Steelers also lost their starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, in the game. Head coach Mike Tomlin has somehow found a way to win seven games this season and the schedule will help this week. Next: -6 vs New England Patriots – Thu, Dec. 7 – O/U: 30.5 (ATS: 7-5 – O/U: 2-10)

19. Cincinnati Bengals (6-6): The Bengals won on Monday Night behind former Washington Huskie quarterback Jake Browning, beating the Jaguars in Jacksonville. Browning completed 32 of 37 passes for 354 yards and one touchdown. Next: +1.5 vs Indianapolis Colts – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U 39.5 (ATS: 5-6-1 – O/U: 6-6)

20. Los Angeles Chargers (5-7): The Chargers won, as expected, beating the Patriots 6-0. While the victory was important, being unable to score an offensive touchdown against any defense in the NFL is not a good sign for the Chargers. The Chargers rushed for 29 yards on 24 carries, and Justin Herbert struggled to find open receivers and the receivers continue to drop passes. Next: -2.5 vs Denver Broncos - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 43.5 (ATS: 5-7 – O/U: 3-9)

21. New Orleans Saints (5-7): The Saints lost to the Lions at home and Quarterback Derek Carr suffered multiple injuries in the game, including a concussion and a rib injury. He also has a shoulder issue that has been bothering him. Things are not looking good for the Saints. Next: -5.5 vs Carolina Panthers – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 2-9-1 – O/U: 4-8)

22. Atlanta Falcons (6-6): The Falcons are in first place in the NFC South division after beating the Jets, 13-8. The Falcons are guaranteed a home playoff game if they win the division. They will play the Cowboys or the Eagles in the wild-card round if they win the division. Next: -2.5 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 39.5 (ATS: 4-8 – O/U: 4-8)

23. Las Vegas Raiders (5-7): The Raiders are coming off their bye week and at 5-7 still have a shot at the playoffs, but with a rookie Aidan O'Connell at quarterback, it is difficult to see how they can finish at 9-8. The Raiders need a long-term fix at quarterback, head coach, and general manager, three very important jobs on a football team. Next: +3 vs Minnesota Vikings - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 6-6 – O/U: 3-9)

24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7): Wide receiver Mike Evans went over 1,000 yards in receiving for the tenth consecutive season in the Buccaneers 21-18 win over the Panthers. Evans is making a good case for the NFL Hall of Fame. Next: +2.5 at Atlanta Falcons - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 39.5 (ATS: 7-5 – O/U: 4-8)

25. Tennessee Titans (4-8): Nashville has some great music and then there are the Titans. In 2022, the Titans traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles for a first round and a third-round pick. The first-round pick was Treylon Burks, who has 33 receptions and one touchdown for the Titans in two seasons. Brown has 168 receptions and 18 touchdowns for the Eagles. Just one of the many Titans management mistakes. Next: +13.5 at Miami Dolphins – Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 47 (ATS: 5-7 – O/U: 4-8)

26. Chicago Bears (4-8): The Bears are coming off their bye week as they head into the stretch run. The Bears have the Panthers first round pick, so they don't have to "Tank for Caleb." The Panthers are doing that for them. Next: +3 vs Detroit Lions - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 40.5 (ATS: 5-5-2 – O/U: 7-5)

27. New York Giants (4-8): The Giants have a two-game winning streak and are coming off a bye. They have a shot at winning a few games down the stretch, with quarterback Tyrod Taylor coming off the Injured Reserve and tight end Darren Waller expected to come off the IR next week. Next: +6.5 vs Green Bay Packers – Mon, Dec. 11 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 4-7-1 – O/U: 3-9)

28. Washington Commanders (4-9): Somebody forgot to explain to the Commanders defensive Braintrust that Tyreek Hill is a really good receiver, and he is also very, very fast. Hill caught touchdown bombs of 78 yards and 60 yards in a 45-15 thrashing of the Commanders. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A at Los Angeles Rams – Sun, Dec. 17 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 5-7-1 – O/U: 8-5)

29. New York Jets (4-8): The Jets and their inept offense lost another game they could won, 13-8 to the Falcons. The Jets may end up going back to Zach Wilson as their starting quarterback. Allegedly, Wilson is not anxious to start, but even the Titanic had a sea captain. Next: +5.5 vs Houston Texans - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 32.5 (ATS: 4-7-1 – O/U: 4-8)

Brevin Townsell - LA Rams

Rams defensive tackle Kobie Turner (91) - 1.5 sacks vs Browns at SoFi Stadium on Sunday

30. Arizona Cardinals (3-10): The Cardinals went on the road and easily defeated the Steelers, 24-10. The Cardinals will have their bye week in Week 14 and the much-needed rest will help them get a look in the remaining games at what they need in the draft next season. Next: Bye – Following week: N/A vs San Francisco 49ers - Sun, Dec. 17 – O/U: N/A (ATS: 7-6 – O/U: 7-6)

31. New England Patriots (2-10): Despite holding the Chargers to just six points, the Patriots lost again, 6-0. To put it succinctly, the Pats offense stinks. The Chargers came into the game with the worst defense in the NFL by yardage allowed per game, and the Pats could not find a way to score seven points. Next: +6 at Pittsburgh Steelers – Thu, Dec. 7 – O/U: 30.5 (ATS: 2-10 – O/U: 3-9)

32. Carolina Panthers (1-10): In their first game without former head coach Frank Reich, the Panthers looked like the same sub-par football team that they had in the first 11 games this season with Reich in their 21-18 loss to the Buccaneers. Next: +5.5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Sun, Dec. 10 – O/U: 37.5 (ATS: 1-8-2 – O/U: 3-8)