By Andrew Cloxton Certified Meteorologist
This is no doubt going to be a tough week when it comes to weather, mainly for the early games. Weather can make or break your lineups, especially when it comes to wind. If playing season-long, I’m not going to bench my stud WR (i.e. Davante Adams) because it’s going to be windy in Green Bay. When playing DFS, especially in tournaments while stacking, weather can make a difference. There are three factors in play this week: wind, rain, and cold temperatures. Cold temps are the least worrisome, then rain. But high winds (especially if they are not running parallel to the field, can sometimes force teams to more of a ground game approach. I strongly urge everyone to check the winds before the games lock in Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Green Bay, and Chicago. Don’t completely write off these games, because we do know that weather can change quickly. But this has been enough of a concern this week, that many game totals from Vegas have dropped by a few points as a result. The other way to look at it is most people may pivot away as a result of the weather, leaving many great players to be underowned. Don’t just make your lineups Sunday AM and forget them. Check just before lock to see if the winds may be better or worse than expected. The staff here at Fantasy Points will help guide you through potential pivots if need be.
Bye Weeks: Arizona, Washington, Jacksonville, Houston
1 PM Games
New England at Buffalo - Rain and wind will be the theme at Bills Stadium, as game time temps barely reach the upper 40s. South winds 18-23 mph, with gusts expected to be in the 30s to near 40 mph at times.
Bottom Line: Typically teams can work through rain, but when you add a lot of wind into the equation, it can force them to more of a ground game as a result.
Tennessee at Cincinnati - Mostly cloudy and windy at Paul Brown Stadium, with temps in the 40s. Winds W 15-20, with gusts to around 30 mph.
Bottom Line: The game total has dropped several points in the past couple of days, so checking before lock is a must with this one.
Las Vegas at Cleveland - A trifecta of sorts at FirstEnergy Stadium, with rain, wind, and cold temps factored in. Temps will barely be in the 40s, with S/W winds 20-25 mph, with gusts to near 40 mph. A wind advisory is in effect.
Bottom Line: And the worst weather of the week award goes to this game. Don’t just dismiss it, but if stacking this game, pay very close attention to the winds near lock.
Indianapolis at Detroit - Inside Ford Field.
Minnesota at Green Bay - Partly sunny at Lambeau Field, with temps in the upper 30s. Wind will be a factor as well out of the NW at 20-25 mph. Gusts will be in the 30s.
Bottom line: The winds look like they may run parallel to the field, meaning Aaron Rodgers will have the wind at his back for 2 quarters, and in is face for the other two. So don’t just write it off, because 2 quarters of Rodgers is sometimes better than 4 quarters of other QBs.
New York Jets at Kansas City - Finally a game with some sunshine on tap at Arrowhead Stadium. Temps will be near 50, with NNW winds 10-15 mph.
Los Angeles at Miami - Partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers at Hard Rock Stadium. Temps will be in the mid 80s, with winds E 5-10 mph.
Pittsburgh at Baltimore - Another game with rain in the forecast at M&T Bank Stadium. Temps will be in the upper 50s, with winds S 5-10 mph.
4 PM Games
Los Angeles at Denver - How ironic that the site of last week’s worst weather game is one of the best this week. Sunshine is expected at Empower Field at Mile High, with kickoff temps in the mid 60s Light winds are on tap as well.
New Orleans at Chicago - Wind and cold will take center stage at Soldier Field, with kickoff temps near 40. Winds will be NW 25-30 mph, with higher gusts around 40 mph. A wind advisory is in effect. For what it’s worth, the winds may taper a bit for the 2nd half of the game.
Bottom line: Since this is a late game, it’s a bit tougher to gauge. Based on the hourly forecast, the 2nd half may not be as windy as the first. Something to definitely monitor for late-game swaps.
San Francisco at Seattle - Sunshine is expected at CenturyLink Field, with temps in the mid to upper 50s. Winds NNW 5-10 mph.
Sunday Night Football
Dallas at Philadelphia - During the day, rain is expected at Lincoln Financial Field. This is however a night game, with the rain tapering off around kickoff. Temps will be dropping into the 40s, with winds W 10-15mph, with some higher gusts.
Monday Night Football
Tampa Bay at New York Giants - A cold one is expected at MetLife Stadium, with temps kickoff temps near 40 and dropping during the game. Winds W 10-15 mph.
