The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 15 with our weekly weather report. Who doesn’t need more information to stress over? We break down the NFL slate, the weather forecast and report for Week 15, and if any of your fantasy players could be impacted.
As always, good luck. Stay safe. And let’s win this week.
Note: All times are Eastern Time, and the NFL Week 15 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 15 is based on National Weather Service reporting. All NFL odds are from the NFL’s official website.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 15: Worry-free weather
I guess Mother Nature has a soft spot for fantasy managers. After watching an unmitigated disaster take place this week due to COVID-19 and all the shuffling of guys in and out, she is giving us a break.
Right now, there are no real weather concerns for the Week 15 slate. The only concern is whether or not guys will be active, and believe me, for as much as I wish I could forecast that, I am just as lost as you are. We truly are in the survive-and-advance stage of the fantasy season.
Dallas Cowboys (-11) at New York Giants, O/U 44.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Although Tony Pollard (foot) is expected to play, I am doubtful he would see his full workload or be his typical explosive self, which means a full dose of Ezekiel Elliott. The question is, what version of Elliott are we going to get in Week 15?
He has lacked the burst we used to see and has been wearing a knee brace to help stabilize his knee. That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence. He’s been held to 51 or fewer rushing yards in seven straight games, and right now, this feels like a game where the Cowboys opt to get Dak Prescott back on track and attempt to take it easy on Elliott. He still comes in as a mid-range RB2.
As for the Week 15 weather in East Rutherford, expect 42 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and 11 mph winds.
Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5), O/U 39.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Urban Meyer, the former co-teacher of “Leadership and Character” at Ohio State, has been fired and ends what can only be considered the single worst coaching job in the history of the NFL. No one is happier about this than RB James Robinson. He no longer has to worry about idiotic personnel decisions and gets to face a Houston Texans defense that ranks 29th in fantasy points allowed to RBs over their last four games (30.98). Robinson will explode this week, and I am here for it.
Jacksonville’s Week 15 weather forecast should feature mostly cloudy skies, 8 mph winds, highs near 77 degrees, and a 50% chance of light rain for the early part of the game.
Tennessee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers (-1), O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Ben Roethlisberger has been sneaky decent as of late. He has three top-10 QB finishes in his last four games. In those games, he’s averaging 39 attempts, which have come at Najee Harris’ expense as the Steelers are forced to make a comeback in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger has been as good as anyone. He is completing nearly 70% of passes in the final quarter (119 of 155) for 1,216 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 1 interception.
That’s more touchdowns than the first three quarters combined (9). Don’t count your fantasy team out if starting Big Ben when the game gets late.
As for the weather forecast in Pittsburgh, expect mostly cloudy skies, 8 mph winds, and 36 degrees at kickoff.
New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (-9.5), O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
I am all-in on DeVante Parker this week after the Dolphins did not activate Jaylen Waddle off the reserve/COVID-19 list. Parker’s scored at least 11 PPR points in four of six games this season while averaging 8.0 targets, 5.0 receptions, and 64.8 yards per game.
With Waddle and his 23.5% target share out, Parker could have his best game of the season in Week 15. I have him firmly inside my top 20 at the position against a Jets defense that Miami should be able to throw against on Sunday.
Expect 79 degrees, 7 mph winds, and mostly cloudy skies with a 50% chance of drizzle in the first half of the game in Miami for Week 15.
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills (-13), O/U 44 | Sunday 1 PM ET
If you are looking for a sneaky play this week, check out Gabriel Davis for the Bills. He has found the end zone in back-to-back weeks and is coming off a season-high 8 targets last week. He played 83% of the snaps after Emmanuel Sanders went down early with an injury. Sanders is out for this game, which should push Davis into a high-profile role on the perimeter for Josh Allen to target on a splash play in the end zone. He comes in as a WR3 this week.
As for the weather forecast this week, expect temperatures around 30 that could feel closer to the low 20s, mostly cloudy skies, and 9 mph winds in Buffalo. There will be some flurries in the area in the morning, but they should clear out well before kickoff.
Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos (-3), O/U 44 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET
Melvin Gordon came back in Week 14 to a massive workload. He saw a season-high 24 carries and turned those into over 100 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. But that did not stop Javonte Williams from having his own phenomenal performance.
The rookie rushed 15 times for 73 yards (4.8 ypc) and a touchdown. He also added a reception for 10 yards and another score to come in as the RB9 in PPR (21.3).
It was his third game in a row with 20 or more PPR points. Both RBs are must-starts in Week 15, although they will find sledding a bit more difficult against the Bengals than they did against Detroit.
Denver’s Week 15 weather forecast should feature sunny skies, 8 mph winds, and highs near 59 degrees.
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers (-8.5), O/U 46.5 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET
With Elijah Mitchell ruled out for Week 15 (concussion/knee), many fantasy managers are looking to start Jeff Wilson Jr. in what has been a solid matchup for opposing RBs (25th vs. RBs). But I am less optimistic.
Wilson’s rushed 10+ times in three of five games, including 19 carries in Week 11, but has just 139 rushing yards on the year (3.1 ypc). Wilson averages just 0.6 targets per game and has yet to score 7.0 or more PPR points or 6.0 half-PPR points in a single game.
If you start Wilson, you are betting on him finding the end zone, which is always a tricky bet to make. He is much closer to a low-end RB3 than a reliable RB2 in Week 15 for fantasy.
As for the Week 15 weather in San Francisco, expect 54 degrees, partly sunny skies, and 8 mph winds.
Green Bay Packers (-7) at Baltimore Ravens, O/U 43.5 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
With Lamar Jackson likely out for the game (ankle), Tyler Huntley will start. It’s a downgrade across the board for the Ravens’ playmakers. You likely still start your key Ravens’ players like Devonta Freeman, Mark Andrews, and Marquise Brown but temper expectations against a stout Packers defense.
Baltimore’s Week 15 weather forecast should feature clear skies, 14 mph winds with gusts around 20 mph, and highs near 44 degrees.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-11.5), O/U 45.5 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET
Yes, the Saints beat the Buccaneers earlier this season. But they suffered a massive loss this week in head coach Sean Payton, who will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19.
There is only so much prep work you can do in the week until when the game starts, and when one of the best offensive minds is away, things start to get messy. This impacts Taysom Hill the most, who is his golden child. Add in the Buccaneers’ nearly impenetrable rush defense this season, and Hill could struggle as the majority of his fantasy values via his legs.
Expect 68 degrees, calm winds, and mostly cloudy skies in Tampa Bay for Week 15.
Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (-3), O/U 41 | Monday 5 PM ET
I would love to give you a good feeling going into this game, but honestly, so much hangs in the air right now. We don’t know if Jarvis Landry will return as he remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, as do both Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum. Heck, even head coach Kevin Stefanski is on the list. This means Nick Mullens is currently the QB1, and Donovan Peoples-Jones will be the WR1. The only player I can say you absolutely start is Nick Chubb, as he could see 25+ carries, and I wouldn’t even be surprised.
As for the Week 15 weather in Cleveland, expect 43 degrees, sunny skies, and 11 mph winds.
Minnesota Vikings (-5) at Chicago Bears, O/U 45 | Monday 8:15 PM ET
Did you know that in the games Justin Fields has started and finished, he has weekly fantasy finishes as the QB5, QB10, and QB10? Last week, he threw 224 yards (second-highest of the season), had his first 2-passing-TD game, and ran for 74 yards.
The downside is he had 3 turnovers, but this was a step in the right direction for the rookie.
Minnesota has given up the third-most fantasy points to QBs on the season (19.08) and is dead last over the last four games (22.34). Fields could be a sneaky streaming option in Week 15.
Chicago’s Week 15 weather forecast should feature mostly clear skies, 8 mph winds, and 33-degree temperatures that will feel closer to 25.
Washington Football Team at Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5), O/U 42.5 | Tuesday 7 PM ET
Washington vs. Philadelphia is one of three games moved due to a COVID-19 outbreak, which means several things could change as players hope to come back with no guarantee.
Terry McLaurin is still in concussion protocol but might return in time after recording limited practices. But who is throwing to him? Both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen are on the reserve/COVID-19 list, meaning Garrett Gilbert is in line to start. If that is the case, everyone for Washington gets downgraded from a fantasy perspective.
The only player I would have in my lineup — assuming McLaurin is out — would be Antonio Gibson, but as a lower-end RB2 rather than a fringe RB1.
Expect 37 degrees, calm winds, and partly cloudy skies in Philadelphia for Week 15.
Week 15 indoor games
The teams below will play in optimal conditions, and there will be no effect on the passing and kicking games. This helps to eliminate at least one variable fantasy managers need to consider each week.
- Arizona Cardinals (-12) at Detroit Lions
O/U 47 | Sunday 1 PM ET
- Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams (-6.5)
O/U 45.5 | Tuesday 7 PM ET