Week 14 is one game old and an exciting 15-game NFL schedule remains as fantasy football playoffs are in full swing. No serious weather conditions will threaten top fantasy options this week, but there will be one small area of concern as the weekend progresses. The two primary wet weather patterns that will occupy the country this weekend will largely dissipate by the time NFL action kicks off on Sunday. However, one region with lingering weather concerns for Sunday and Monday is the upper Midwest, primarily the Minnesota and Wisconsin region. Cold temperatures along with forecasted precipitation could create situations of snow and ice for Week 14 home games in Minnesota and Green Bay. Those are the two main games of note in terms of Week 14 weather, as temperatures in hosting NFL cities have risen slightly this week, producing mild conditions for the vast majority of Week 14 games. Strap on those boots and grab an umbrella as we check out the weather forecasts for each Week 14 contest.
Winter Wonderland
NY Jets at Minnesota (1:00 PM ET): TCF Bank Stadium will be a wintry environment on Sunday, with cold temperatures and precipitation in the Minneapolis area. Temperatures are expected to be near 30 degrees with cloudy skies bringing snow on Sunday afternoon. The main question surrounding this situation is whether snow will arrive during the game between the Vikings and Jets, or if it will arrive after the game is complete.
Neither team has a prolific passing offense with both Minnesota and the New York Jets residing in the bottom three in the NFL in passing yards per game. Potentially snowy conditions may mean even more of a focus on the ground game and with Jerick McKinnon sidelined, Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson are the only running backs worth upgrading in this game. Be sure to check on the conditions at TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday morning, but all Vikings and Jets fantasy options should be useable in this game, with a small bump to the running games if pregame conditions look concerning.
Atlanta at Green Bay (8:30 PM ET, Mon): Lambeau Field will be living up to its reputation on Monday Night Football as the Green Bay Packers host the visiting Atlanta Falcons in 23 degree weather and potentially snowy conditions. No precipitation is expected in Green Bay over the weekend, so we won’t likely be looking at a massive pile-up of snow on the playing surface by the time kickoff rolls around. A 40% chance of snow is in the forecast for Monday morning, so Lambeau Field will be frigid as night falls and kickoff arrives. Winds won’t be an issue in this game with just 10-13 mph winds expected, and both quarterbacks, along with their fantasy sidekicks, should be able to operate efficiently despite the chilly temperatures. Las Vegas oddsmakers haven’t flinched at the idea of chilly conditions in Green Bay, as the Packers/Falcons total is the highest of the Week 14 NFL slate, with 56 total points expected.
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Worry-Free Weather
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati (1:00 PM ET): Partly cloudy skies are expected in Cincinnati on Sunday as the Bengals host the Steelers, but chances of precipitation remain very low. Temperatures of 42 degrees will be present in addition to 10 mph winds, so no major weather concerns will impact Ben Roethlisberger or Andy Dalton in this game.
St. Louis at Washington (1:00 PM ET): Temperatures will sit at 45 degrees on Sunday as St. Louis travels to Washington. Sunshine is anticipated for this game, with winds of roughly 16 mph in the Landover, Maryland area. No major weather interference is expected here, so the stage is set for St. Louis wide receiver Stedman Bailey to continue his recent hot streak.
NY Giants at Tennessee (1:00 PM ET): Mild conditions will welcome the visiting Giants to LP Field in Tennessee, as 47 degree temperatures and cloudy skies are in the forecast. Winds won’t be much of an issue at only 10 mph, so all relevant fantasy options in this game should be good to start as usual.
Baltimore at Miami (1:00 PM ET): Sun Life Stadium in Miami is going to see perfect conditions on Sunday when the Dolphins host the Baltimore Ravens. Temperatures will be around 78 degrees on Sunday with sunny skies and just 9 mph winds in the forecast. This is what winter in Miami looks like!
Indianapolis at Cleveland (1:00 PM ET): Johnny Manziel will have to break out extra layers for Sunday’s game while he watches Brian Hoyer from the sidelines, as 38 degree temperatures are expected in Cleveland. The skies above FirstEnergy Stadium will be mostly sunny, accompanied by 12 mph winds. All fantasy options should be trusted as normal in this contest.
Houston at Jacksonville (1:00 PM ET): The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Houston Texans on Sunday in decent conditions, with 62 degree temperatures and cloudy skies in the forecast. A 20% chance of rain will be present with winds at 15 mph, but neither team should be impacted by this forecast. Expect to see plenty of Arian Foster in this matchup, as the Texans lead the NFL with 32.5 rushing attempts per game.
Buffalo at Denver (4:05 PM ET): Pleasant weather will be found at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Sunday, with sunny skies and 58 degree temperatures in the forecast. Weeks like this will be few and far between as the season nears its end, so let’s enjoy Peyton Manning and company lighting up the score board in favorable conditions while we have the chance.
Seattle at Philadelphia (4:25 PM ET): Two teams with huge postseason aspirations will meet at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Seattle Seahawks. No weather impact will be seen in this exciting matchup, as skies will be clear and winds will be calm as night falls in Philadelphia. 28 degree temperatures are expected as this game progresses, but the cold conditions won’t impact any fantasy options as Russell Wilson and Mark Sanchez square off.
San Francisco at Oakland (4:25 PM ET): Rain isn’t expected to move into the Oakland area until Sunday night, so the weather should remain easily manageable at O.co Coliseum on Sunday as the Oakland Raiders host the San Francisco 49ers. Winds in the bay area won’t be a worry either, as only 7 mph winds are expected. This game isn’t exactly exploding with fantasy options, but all relevant players will be safe to use as normal.
New England at San Diego (8:30 PM ET): Comfortable weather is forecasted for the San Diego area on Sunday night when the Chargers host the New England Patriots. Daytime 70 degree temperatures will dip to only 56 degrees as the Southern California sun sets and kickoff arrives. No precipitation is anticipated and winds will be extremely mild. All fantasy options can be trusted as normal in this interesting AFC battle.
Home Teams Are Dome Teams
Three games will be played in domes or stadiums with retractable roofs in Week 14, including a NFC South matchup in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Carolina at New Orleans (1:00 PM ET)
Tampa Bay at Detroit (1:00 PM ET)
Kansas City at Arizona (4:05 PM ET)
