Week 13 had quite the variety of weather impacts. Mainly winds, along with some chilly games (looking your way, Cleveland and Philly). We had some snow forecasted, but it looked pretty light in everything I saw, which is a good thing. Good reminder to do a pre-game check on conditions and make sure everything is lining up and that your players are good to go! If you are in the playoffs, congratulations! If it all comes down to this week, best of luck to you, and read below to see what Mother Nature has in store for us!
Buckle up, it’s Week 14 time, baby!
Sunday Early Afternoon Games
Tennessee Titans @ Cleveland Browns
HIGH impact. Expecting some snow around game time. Looking around, 60% coverage of the Cleveland area right now. Total accumulation doesn’t look too bad, sitting under one inch. Winds won’t be too strong, sitting in the single digits throughout the game. The temperatures will be in the low-30s. Overall, for a snow game, it doesn’t look too bad. However, if the snow does start to pick up, then that will cause much more of a focus on the running game, along with short passes. It’s unlikely you are starting a QB in this game, but if you are, downgrade your expectations. The same goes with WRs.
Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
LOW impact. You should expect mostly sunny skies, temperatures in the low-40s, and light winds throughout the game. No issues here, start all your usual players.
New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
MEDIUM impact. There’s going to be an increased chance of rain showers, along with a small chance of thunderstorms throughout the game. If we flashback to earlier this year, we had a few games delayed due to thunderstorms, so don’t expect the teams to play through a thunderstorm if it pops up. However, with the showery rain, if we see a shower pop up over the stadium, there will be some issues. The good news is that the rain won’t be persistent, so there will be breaks in between the rain showers. Don’t bench any of your studs over the weather, just be aware that there may be some impacts to the passing game if we get those rain showers. Aside from that, winds will be in the high single digits with temperatures in the mid-70s.
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
MEDIUM impact. This game will have an increased chance of rain throughout the game, currently sitting at around 60%. The rain is looking a little stronger and more persistent than in the Tampa game. So I would expect some impacts on the passing game, as well as with your QBs. The winds are looking decent, with expected sustained speeds in the single digits. The temperature will be sitting in the upper-60s.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Baltimore Ravens
LOW impact. Partly cloudy skies, light winds, temperatures in the mid-40s. You really can’t ask for much better weather in Baltimore in December. In fact, I won’t ask for much better; I will award the “GOOD WEATHER GAME OF THE WEEK” to the city of Baltimore. No weather issues here, start all your usual suspects.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Buffalo Bills
HIGH impact. This will be a snowy game. Expecting snow throughout much of the game, with total accumulation at 1-2 inches. Some silver lining, the winds won’t be too bad with speeds in the single digits. Generally, with these conditions, the short passing game and the running game get all the love. So expect much more of a focus on those aspects, rather than any deep shots. Also, downgrade the kickers in this game.
Sunday Late Afternoon Games
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers
MEDIUM impact. I’m not expecting any snow or rain, and winds will be fairly light, so why the medium impact? Well, my friend, it’s going to be a cold one in Lambeau. Which, as well all know, is the coldest place on earth. Game time temperatures will be in the mid-teens; when you add in the light winds for wind chill, it’ll feel closer to single-digit temperatures. Pro athlete or not, those kinds of temperatures will tire you out real quick.
Sunday Night Game
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
LOW impact. A cold Sunday night game awaits us to wrap up the day. Game time temperatures will be in the low-20s, when combined with the single-digit winds, will result in a wind chill in the low-teens. Aside from the cold, no other issues (still not as cold as Lambeau).
Best of luck to your team in the week ahead!