As we delve deeper into the NFL schedule and the autumn months, the weather forecast is going to continue to be a must-watch for fantasy football managers. This week sees another slate of games set to be impacted by windy weather to varying degrees. Let’s take a look at the Week 7 NFL weather report and determine the potential fantasy football impact of the current forecasts.
All times listed are Eastern Time. Forecasts for Week 7 are supplied by reports from the National Weather Service. Forecasts correct as of 4:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!
Week 7 NFL Weather Report Fantasy Impact
Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: High-50s
- Showers: 10% chance at kickoff dropping throughout
- Wind: 18 mph northwesterly with gusts up to 33 mph
The game in Baltimore is the first of many this week that could see the passing game impacted by the wind. We have seen the impact wind can have already this year, with the Kansas City Chiefs versus Denver Broncos prime-time game being a perfect example. That game had marginally higher winds than this one, but not by much, and we saw some impact of the wind on the passing game not quarterbacked by Patrick Mahomes.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Somewhat strangely, it might actually be the Lions’ offense that suffers more in this game between these two. Lamar Jackson has superior arm strength in terms of delivering fastballs when you watch the film, and that may give him an advantage here. Goff and the Detroit Lions should still be reasonably efficient, but it will be more about the short passing game and the run game for the most part.
If you are looking at fantasy options, Jackson, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, T.J. Hockenson, and Gus Edwards remain viable starting options. Josh Reynolds, Sam LaPorta, and Zay Flowers are names that are a little more concerning, while the really fringy pass catchers for fantasy, like Odell Beckham Jr., are players to consider avoiding if you can.
Las Vegas Raiders at Chicago Bears | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: Low-50s
- Showers: <5% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 7 mph northwesterly
This game in Chicago might actually end up being the best weather of the weekend, and it will be somewhat wasted on two backup QBs in Tyson Bagent and Brian Hoyer. Both are talented enough in their own right, but fantasy managers will not want to rely on many pass-catching options outside of the studs like Davante Adams and DJ Moore in this one.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: Mid-50s
- Showers: <10% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 14 mph westerly with gusts up to 25 mph
Bad weather in New England basically ensures that most fantasy managers will want to find any way they can to avoid a New England Patriots pass catcher. The winds are not going to be extreme, but with the play of Mac Jones, it is a convenient excuse to just look elsewhere. It does add value to the running backs, but they are going to have to face stacked boxes and likely will be touchdown-dependent volume plays.
For the Buffalo Bills, it is a case of starting your studs as usual. Josh Allen offers enough throwing power to cut through the wind, which should ensure Stefon Diggs remains viable. Gabe Davis is impossible to call week-to-week, and you may consider looking elsewhere if this wind scares you. Those are realistically the only pass catchers you want to trust in this game. James Cook should have decent value, hopefully with an increased workload and some dump-off passes.
Washington Commanders at New York Giants | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: High-50s
- Showers: <10% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 17 mph northwesterly with gusts up to 32 mph
It doesn’t take a lot to consider sitting any pass catcher on the New York Giants, and that is the case with this wind at MetLife Stadium. There is not a Giants’ receiver you can trust, leaving Saquon Barkley as the only significantly viable pass catcher. Daniel Jones will be battling on all fronts, and unless he can rip off some long runs or rush for a touchdown, he is going to be extremely risky.
Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks | Sunday, 4:05 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: High-50s
- Showers: 10% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 5 mph northerly
The biggest threat from the weather forecast in Seattle is the rain, and even that might not happen. This is a game where the weather does not change anything you were planning and actually elevates some of the pass catchers with all the other weather-affected games around.
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos | Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: Mid-70s
- Showers: <5% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 7 mph northerly with gusts up to 15 mph
It is a similar story to Seattle in Denver. The weather forecast is generally good with a risk of some 15 mph gusts, and that means, from a fantasy perspective, you are not downgrading anyone. This isn’t a game that will be high on the list for many to watch, but with the way these defenses have played at times, this could be a sneakily high-scoring game.
MORE: PFN Consensus Rankings
In some low-value DFS contests, stacking some Packers or Broncos options could be a huge differentiator, with little weather impact expected.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs | Sunday, 4:25 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: Low-70s
- Showers: <5% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 10 mph southeasterly with gusts up to 21 mph
While the weather in Kansas City is borderline, it does not change a lot of the fantasy analysis here. Mahomes and Justin Herbert have the ability to cut through the wind and get their stats. The intriguing thing will be whether the Los Angeles Chargers still try to uncork shots down the field this week or play it closer to the line of scrimmage.
Yards-after-the-catch pass-catching options such as Keenan Allen, Austin Ekeler, Jerick McKinnon, and Mecole Hardman (if active) could see a boost in value in this one if the weather forces the QBs to play more conservatively.
Miami Dolphins at Philadelphia Eagles | Sunday, 8:20 p.m.
- Expected Temperature: Low-50s
- Showers: <5% chance at kickoff
- Wind: 13 mph northwesterly with gusts up to 25 mph
The Game of the Week on Sunday Night Football could be another that has a weather forecast which may impact from a fantasy perspective. However, as we get closer to kickoff the threat of gusts which could impact the game is diminishing. Even so the weather forecast we have seen as a possible threat should not impact the majority of the studs playing in this game.
A.J. Brown, Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, D’Andre Swift, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jalen Hurts are all largely unaffected by this unless the projected wind speed increases drastically. The players not named above likely weren’t starting in many fantasy lineups anyway.
Games Played in Stadiums With a Retractable Roof
- Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Pittsburgh Steelers at Los Angeles Rams | Sunday, 1 p.m.
- San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings | Monday, 8:15 p.m.