Every week I’ll be going through the weather forecasts for each game and how that could impact each player. In general, people tend to overreact to weather, but there are certainly a few things to look out for. I’ll reiterate a lot of these points each week, but wind doesn’t matter until it is 15MPH or higher. Quarterbacks yards per attempt and completion percentage take a minor dip at that point, with a massive downward trend at 20-25MPH. Rain and snow don’t impact the game too much unless there is a substantial amount or the field surface isn’t up to par. Extreme heat (90+) can impact players energy levels and can cause the game to slow down. Early in the season, the weather is relatively mild but there are usually a handful of games to keep an eye on.
Wet Weather Expected
Cincinnati at Seattle (4:05 PM ET): The Seahawks enter Week 1 as 10-point favorites at home against the Bengals. 65-degree temperatures shouldn’t be an issue and rain is expected to be minimal. Regardless, it’s something to look out for leading up to game time.
Heat Wave Warning
Baltimore at Miami (1:00 PM ET): Lamar Jackson and the Ravens will travel 25 miles away from where Jackson grew up to take on the tanking Dolphins. The forecast calls for 89-degree temperatures but an extreme 66 percent humidity. This means it will feel like 101 degrees at kickoff. Visiting quarterbacks tend to struggle with this type of heat but Lamar Jackson grew up in it, so there’s no need to worry about him. Already expected to be one of the lowest-scoring games of the week, it could be bogged down even more by the weather.
Kansas City at Jacksonville (1:00 PM ET): The Florida heat will impact this game as well and is a sneaky tough spot for the Chiefs. They are 3-point road favorites against the Jaguars but with 93-degree temperatures that feel like 101, expectations may need to be slightly tempered for this high-flying Chiefs Offense. I’m still starting all fantasy relevant players from this game in season-long leagues.
San Francisco at Tampa Bay (4:25 PM ET): This seems to be everyone’s “sneaky” shootout of the week with two exciting quarterbacks matching up against below-average secondaries. The 90-degree temperatures and partly cloudy skies are expected but with the humidity, it will feel like 98 degrees. This isn’t ideal for either team but the Bucs may have the upper hand after training in this type of weather all summer.
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Worry-Free Weather
LA Rams at Carolina (1:00 PM ET): Cam Newton’s pre-season injury looks like it’s nothing at this point and he’s reportedly fully healthy heading into this one. Both teams will play in slightly hotter conditions than they’d like with 82-degree temperatures expected. Other than the heat, five MPH winds and clear skies are in the forecast meaning we can fire up all fantasy-relevant options in this one.[[ad:athena]]
Washington at Philadelphia (1:00 PM ET): One of the more lopsided games of the week, the Redskins take on the Eagles as 10-point underdogs. 74-degree temperatures with seven MPH winds and partly cloudy skies leave no room to worry.
Buffalo at NY Jets (1:00 PM ET): This game has a lot of potential variance with both teams projected to ascend with their young quarterbacks. 74-degree temperatures, partly cloudy skies, and seven MPH winds from the northwest won’t make an impact in this one. There are probably only 1-2 guys you are starting from this game and they can be started as usual.
Tennessee at Cleveland (1:00 PM ET): Baker Mayfield and the Browns are the most-bet team to win the Super Bowl this season, creating a lot of hype around the unproven squad. Their potential Super Bowl run starts in Week 1 against the Titans and the weather won’t be a factor. The forecast calls for 69-degree temperatures, partly cloudy skies, and eight MPH winds.
Indianapolis at LA Chargers (4:05 PM ET): The biggest news of the offseason -- maybe the past few years -- was the early retirement of 29-year old Andrew Luck. The Colts are trying to move forward with Jacoby Brissett as their starter who figures to look better this time around with Frank Reich as the head coach. Standard southern California weather is expected with 76-degree temperatures, partly cloudy skies, and 10 MPH winds.
Pittsburgh at New England (8:20 PM ET): The Week 1 Sunday Night Football matchup features one of the best AFC rivalries over the past few years between the Steelers and Patriots. They can’t ask for much better weather with 63-degree temperatures, mostly cloudy skies, and a four MPH breeze expected.
Denver at Oakland (10:20 PM ET, Monday): Despite some sort of altercation with GM Mike Mayock, WR Antonio Brown is expected to play Monday night against the Broncos. Both teams will enjoy mild, 64-degree temperatures and a clear sky come Monday.
Home Teams are Dome Teams
Atlanta at Minnesota (1:00 PM ET)
New York Giants at Dallas (4:25 PM ET)
Detroit at Arizona (4:25 PM ET)
Houston at New Orleans (7:10 PM ET, Monday)
