All will be decided in a number of crucial division races and the playoff picture that has fluctuated so much will be set after some key games on Sunday.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – 6pm
The Pittsburgh Steelers kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a win over the Cleveland Browns last week and face a division rival who can also technically make the postseason, the Baltimore Ravens.
Both sides are relying on Indianapolis losing at the 2-14 Jacksonville Jaguars, but stranger things have happened.
The Ravens season has capitulated after a good start and they have now lost five games on the spin including a late comeback loss to the Los Angeles Rams last week.
When these two sides met earlier in the season the Steelers edged it 20-19 and they can pick up another win here against a beleaguered Ravens side that may have had the wind knocked out of them with defeat last week.
This may be Pittsburgh quarterback Big Ben Roethlisberger’s final game in the NFL and he can go out on a high at 19/10.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams – 9.25pm
This is another game with major ramifications for both teams. Los Angeles must win to clinch the NFC West title while the 49ers must win to be sure of a playoff spot.
Both sides look set to welcome back key players in the shape of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for San Francisco and running back Cam Akers for the Rams.
Los Angeles have won five on the spin to chase down the Arizona Cardinals in their division race, the Cards play the unimpressive Seahawks and will be expecting to win that.
The Rams needed a late rally to get past the Baltimore Ravens last week and their quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a touch erratic recently.
That could be enough to get behind the 49ers on the spread at +4.5.
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills – 9.25pm
The Buffalo Bills have won three on the spin, including a vital win over their rivals the New England Patriots to put the division race in their hands going into the last day.
The Bills need to beat the New York Jets to secure top spot. However, the Jets have been much better recently, running the Buccaneers close last week and are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games against teams with a winning record.
Back them to cover the 16 spread.
For the East.
#NYJvsBUF | @Windows pic.twitter.com/F7hBfsDfGb
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 9, 2022
Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders – Monday 1.20am
Of all the games on Sunday this one has one of the most straightforward permutations. It is essentially winner takes all.
The Chargers need to win to reach the playoffs while the Raiders could sneak through even if they lose in the unlikely event that both Indianapolis and Pittsburgh lose.
Both teams are 9-7, with the Chargers coming out on top 28-14 in their previous meeting this season.
The Raiders come here on a three-game winning streak but have flattered to deceive at times, winning all three by four points or less. Before that Las Vegas were beaten 48-9 by the Chiefs and the Chargers seem the safer bet to make it through at 5/8.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
