Last week was the first time we had seen any wide-spread weather system impact the NFL and hit the fantasy football world, mainly thanks to massive winds. Luckily enough, it seems the NFL and fantasy football managers get a nice reprieve when looking at the weather forecast and report for Week 9 as there is nothing too crazy to take note of. Outside of a couple of games, we seem to be in the clear as the weather won’t cause too many headaches.
Regarding wind speed – as a general rule of thumb, it is a relative non-issue until sustained winds cross the 15 MPH threshold. Beyond that, the wind starts to impact the passing and kicking game. Once we get above 25 MPH, we see real havoc begin to happen, and we have to downgrade the passing and kicking game while giving a boost to running backs and defenses.
As always, good luck. Stay safe. Let’s win the week.
Note: All times are Eastern Time, and the NFL Week 9 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing this up to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 9 is based on reporting from National Weather Service. All betting lines are from DraftKings Sportsbook.
NFL Weather Forecast and Report, Week 9 | Tropical Storm Eta’s impact on your fantasy teams
Houston Texans-6.5 at Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 49.5 o/u
Former hurricane Eta has restrengthened into a strong tropical storm as it moves through the Caribbean and is set to impact Florida with strong winds and torrential rain. As with most storms, the closer to landfall, the more accurate prediction models become. There is, however, solid confidence and congruency in the different models that Eta will not work it’s way up the coast and will end up either making landfall or brushing the southern tip of Florida.
Luckily enough for this game, Jacksonville sits on the northern side of the state and our NFL weather forecast says that while they will likely miss the torrential rain, they won’t be spared from the effects. And although 80-degree temperatures will feel perfect for this time of year, it will be on the breezier side. Winds will be around 12-16 MPH and gusts reaching north of 25 MPH between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM. If the gusts reach this level, it will have an effect on the passing and kicking game. There is a 40% chance of rain during the game, but due to where we expect Tropical Storm Eta to be, any rain we see should be nothing more than a drizzle that won’t impact your fantasy players.
The story for me in the game from a fantasy standpoint is this – what will the Jacksonville offense look like with Jake Luton under center? Luton, a sixth-round rookie out of Oregon State, averaged 7.1 yards per attempt in college. He threw 38 touchdowns to just seven interceptions in his final two seasons. Luton gets a Texans’ defense that has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opponents, right behind the Seahawks and Falcons, and have allowed touchdown passes on the second-highest percentage in the NFL at 7.14%.
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers -4.5 (Sunday 8:20 PM) – 50.5 o/u
Due to this game being on Sunday night and more towards the middle of the state on the Gulf side, the Tampa area will see more of an impact than Jacksonville but nowhere near to what Miami will see in the coming days.
As temperatures fall to around 74-degrees at kickoff, our NFL weather report is looking at the rising chances of wind and rain. Sustained wind speeds will be between 15 to 17 MPH, and gusts around 23 MPH before the final whistle blows. This could have an effect on the passing and kicking game for both the Saints and Buccaneers. It also will be raining by the time we reach kickoff and expect to see the outer rainbands of Tropical Storm Eta hitting the field for most of the game. It does not look as if it will be a downpour but it will be consistent.
I don’t know if you heard about this yet, but Antonio Brown is now a Buccaneer after Bruce Arians said this would never happen. So long as he can stay on the field, I don’t know how anyone can stop this offense. The trio of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Brown is almost unfair. Throw in the fact Rob Gronkowski has been playing like his old self in recent games, and the amount of fantasy potential on this team is astronomical, even if they cut into each other’s ceilings.
Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs -10 (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 52.5 o/u
While this game is not in Florida, there are other locations we need to check out and Kansas City is the one other spot I see some concern when looking at the forecast this morning. Nothing is overly concerning but the sustained winds between 17-18 MPH and gusts around 30 MPH need to be mentioned as those are both above the threshold we typically use.
Fantasy managers rejoice! Because if you have the 1.01, thy savior has returned to save your fantasy teams from your eternal struggle. 2019’s RB1 Christian McCaffrey is back and is set to resume his role as the most versatile back in the NFL. Kansas City has allowed 153.5 total yards per game to running backs, much in part to the 4.66 yards per carry and 6.59 yards per target they’ve allowed so far. After being thoroughly impressed by what Mike Davis was able to accomplish in the offense, the thought of McCaffrey in this system is almost too good to be true. I have him as the RB4 in Week 9, and I feel slightly dirty for him not being fantasy’s RB1.
NFL Weather Report, Week 9 | Worry-free NFL weather
New York Giants at Washington Football Team -2.5 (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 43 o/u
Can the Giants give Daniel Jones time, or will he have to throw off his back foot throughout the game? These teams played three weeks ago, where Jones threw for only 112 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 74 yards. Averaging 45.5 yards rushing per game over his last six, Jones has to rely on this to maintain his QB2 value.
Our NFL weather forecast for Week 9 for this game expects sunny skies, light wind speeds, and 74-degree temperatures. There should be no external excuses for the Giants’ passing game.
Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans -6.5 (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 47 o/u
Does the real Jonnu Smith want to come back anytime soon? Smith has gone cold over the last three weeks, totaling just four receptions for 51 yards in the three games combined. I don’t love this matchup, but Smith is still inside the TE1 range for me. However, he is no longer in the conversation to finish inside the top three on any given week, even if he has some of the best after the catch talent in the NFL, regardless of position.
Our weather forecast expects 79-degree temperatures, sunny skies, and 5 MPH wind speeds for this Week 9 NFL matchup between the Bears and Titans.
Seattle Seahawks -3 at Buffalo Bills (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 55 o/u
This feels like a Tyler Lockett week, but it feels even more like a Stefon Diggs week. Seattle gives up an average of 21.3 fantasy points per game to wide receivers who get seven or more targets against them; Diggs is averaging ten targets per game. In Week 8, even though the Bills offense struggled, Diggs’ impact was all over the place. On Josh Allen’s 22 dropbacks, Diggs ran a route on 95% of them while seeing a 50% targets share and 53% of the team’s intended air yards. Seattle has allowed 11 receivers to hit 20-plus PPR points against them this year and give up 57.7 points per game to opposing wide receivers. Diggs has a chance to absolutely smash this week, which means Allen sees a boost in the passing game.
As for the NFL weather forecast for Week 9, look for sunny skies, 66-degree temperatures, and 5 MPH wind speeds.
New England Patriots -9.5 at New York Jets (Monday 8:15 PM) – 41 o/u
How on Earth did this game end up being on Monday Night Football? Who authorized this? I could sit here and give breakdowns on guys, but honestly, if you can avoid this matchup altogether, that might be the best play for fantasy. It just feels like this game is set to disappoint if you rely on fantasy players in this game to get you a Monday Night miracle.
When looking at the NFL weather report, expect 60-degree temperatures, partially cloudy skies, and 5 MPH wind speeds.
NFL Weather Report, Week 9 | Early Indoor Games
Because these NFL games are indoors, the weather conditions can be controlled and as such, the only forecast and reports are that it will be optimal playing conditions for these teams. The passing and kicking game will not be affected.
- Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings -3.5 (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 52 o/u
- Baltimore Ravens -1 at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 48 o/u
- Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons -4 (Sunday 1:00 PM) – 49 o/u
NFL Weather Forecast, Week 9 | Late Indoor Games
The forecast will say that it’s going to be warm outside, but these NFL games are indoors and teams will be playing in optimal conditions. The passing and kicking game will not be affected.
- Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers -1 (Sunday 4:05 PM) – 52.5 o/u
- Pittsburgh Steelers -14.5 at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday 4:25 PM) – 44 o/u
- Miami Dolphins at Arizona Cardinals -4.5 (Sunday 4:25 PM) – 49 o/u
Teams on a Bye in Week 9
- Philadelphia Eagles (3-4-1)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-3)
- Cleveland Browns (5-3)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2-5-1)
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for PFN covering Fantasy Football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.