The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 10 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 10, and if any of your fantasy football 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 10 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 10 is based on reporting from the National Weather Service. All NFL odds are from the NFL’s official website.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 10: First signs of winter in Pittsburgh?
Ready to hear something scary? It’s 11 days until Thanksgiving and 41 days until Christmas. Huh? How? Oh, it gets even better if we just focus on the NFL. The Super Bowl is in 91 days (13 weeks), and the 2022 NFL Draft is in 165 days. We think that’s a while away, but it’s not at all.
It was just last week we were drafting these teams, and here we are on the backside of the season. It’s been a crazy year, to say the least, and I don’t think that’s stopping anytime soon. And some of that crazy might be brewing in Pittsburgh this week.
Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7.5), O/U 42.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
We have seen virtually every weather condition this season, except for one — snow. Personally, this is my favorite as it just feels right for football. We have a chance to see it make its 2021 debut on Sunday. But even if it does, it will be light.
Odds are the only precipitation on Sunday will be a cold rain at most, but I do mean cold. The high for the day is around 38 degrees, with it feeling closer to freezing. Add in cloudy skies and 8 mph winds, and the Iron City will be flowing as the Pittsburgh faithful try to stay warm.
Want to know something funny? I had this written once before. In that alternate timeline, I said there was a legitimate shot Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, and Pat Freiermuth all could have finished on top of their position. About 20 minutes later, Adam Schefter announced Ben Roetherberger has tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Week 10.
That means Mason Rudolph will be the starting QB, assuming there are no further close contacts or positive tests. I went from loving this game to hating it as I know the Steelers will give the 0-8 Lions their first win. My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 9: Worry-free weather
The clear weather forecast is a welcome sight for fantasy managers. With that said, there is a 100% chance of chaos with a high probability of a hangover come Monday.
Buffalo Bills (-12.5) at New York Jets, O/U 47.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Zack Moss will be active for the Bills after passing concussion protocols, which is great. More so for him than for fantasy managers. We went from Devin Singletary being the smash play against a Jets defense that allows more points than anyone to RBs (39.2) and 49.8 over their last four to going back into a committee.
It’s more confusing than usual since we don’t know how much Moss will take away. Both Singletary and Moss come in as RB3s this week.
As for the Week 10 weather in East Rutherford, expect 51 degrees, partly cloudy skies, and 9 mph winds.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-9) at Washington Football Team, O/U 50.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
The question of the game is the status of Chris Godwin. Battling a foot/heel injury, Godwin enters as a game-time decision after returning to practice on Friday.
What’s not a question is the upside of Tyler Johnson. With Antonio Brown ruled out and Godwin likely to see his reps pulled back, Johnson has some not so sneaky upside. He is Week 10’s worst kept secret.
In games where he has seen 6+ targets, Johnson averages 4 receptions and 63 yards. That includes last week when he hauled in 5 of 6 targets for 65 yards. Even if Godwin plays, Johnson has WR3 upside against a Washington defense who surrenders the second-most fantasy points per game to WRs (43.0) and is No. 26 in yards allowed per target (8.9).
Washingtons’ Week 10 weather forecast should feature partly sunny skies, 6 mph winds, and highs near 51 degrees.
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (-3), O/U 43.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
First, the Titans lost Derrick Henry for likely the year. Now, it’s Julio Jones. He’s been battling a hamstring issue, but the team felt enough is enough and placed Jones on the IR. With the Titans’ bye (Week 12) falling during this period, the soonest Jones will be able to return is December 12 against the Jaguars.
Yet, Jones is not the only notable injury in this contest. Alvin Kamara has also been ruled out of Sunday’s contest. Recently re-signed Mark Ingram will lead the Saints’ backfield with help from Taysom Hill, Ty Montgomery, and Dwayne Washington. Ingram comes in as a mid-range RB2 in rankings.
As for the weather forecast in Nashville, expect partly cloudy skies, 11 mph winds, and 57-degree temperatures that will feel closer to 34 at kickoff.
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-2.5), O/U 45 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Running back injuries is the talking point for this game. For New England, Damien Harris has been ruled out due to a concussion he sustained last week. On the flip side, Rhamondre Stevenson has reportedly cleared concussion protocol and will be active for Week 10.
As for the Browns, Nick Chubb has been ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, leaving D’Ernest Johnson as virtually the last man standing. The last time he was in this role (Week 7 vs. DEN), Johnson rattled off 146 yards and a TD on 22 carries. Johnson comes in right on the RB1 cutoff with Stevenson a mid-range RB3.
Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos (-2.5), O/U 45 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
It’s hard to deny the impact Jerry Jeudy has on Courtland Sutton when both are on the field. In their three games together this season on the field, Sutton has combined for 4 receptions, 63 yards, and no touchdowns on 9 targets. Meanwhile, Jeudy has caught 16 of 19 targets for 180 yards. More importantly, Jeudy is being targeted on 26% of his routes compared to Sutton at 10.1%.
The saving grace for Sutton could be his aDOT (average depth of target) of 16.0 yards and his slash plays. But splash plays alone do not make for a consistent fantasy player.
Expect 60-degree temperatures, 12 mph winds, and partly cloudy skies in Denver for Week 10.
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (-3.5), O/U 50 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
Well, at least this game has a chance to be as good as advertised when the NFL schedule dropped an eon ago. Russell Wilson (finger) is back, as is Aaron Rodgers (COVID-19). This game should be filled with scoring and might finish with the highest total of the week. I see both QBs wanting to come and set the tone for the rest of the season.
As for the weather forecast in Week 10, expect temperatures around 37 degrees that feel closer to 28, mostly cloudy skies, and 10 mph winds in Green Bay. Or, as the locals say, t-shirt weather.
Los Angeles Rams (-4) at San Francisco 49ers, O/U 49 | Monday 8:15 PM ET
Talk about a wild 24 hours. First, the Rams signed Odell Beckham Jr., and the collective internet and the pundits lost their minds. Was it likely a better NFL move than a fantasy one? Sure. But in the Twitter Spaces, during an instant reaction on the PFN main account, I posed the question of whether or not Beckham could cut into Robert Woods’ role. I said that was absolutely a chance. He wouldn’t surpass him, but he’d have value.
Then, the tables turned. On Saturday, the news came out that Woods had torn his ACL on Friday, and no one really knew it. He finished practice and even held interviews with the media. The signing of Beckham is now massive for the Rams’ offense, who was firing on all cylinders. OBJ does not instantly see the same value as Woods, but it’s not unreasonable for him to be a WR3 who could surprise us the rest of the season.
The player to watch is Van Jefferson. He is the player with the most to gain, even though I hate the circumstances involved and being this seemingly cold towards a potentially career-altering injury for a guy who will turn 30 in the offseason.
Jefferson is already having a career year, recording 27 receptions on 46 targets (14.6%) for 433 yards with 3 touchdowns. He has played on 78% of the snaps, and running routes on roughly 95% of the time he’s on the field for a dropback. The value gap between Jefferson and OBJ is a lot closer than I think many people want to admit. He is a must-add in 12-team leagues, and for at least this week, is a top-30 WR. Expect 58-degree temperatures, 10 mph winds, and mostly cloudy skies in San Francisco for Week 10.
Week 10 indoor games
The teams below will play in optimal conditions, and there will be no effect on the passing and kicking game. This helps to eliminate at least one variable fantasy managers need to consider each week.
- Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts (-10)
O/U 47.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET - Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys (-8)
O/U 54.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET - Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals (-10.5)
O/U 44.5 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET - Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)
O/U 53 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET - Kansas City Chiefs (-3) at Las Vegas Raiders
O/U 51.5 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET
Week 10 bye week teams
The following teams have a bye in Week 10. Be sure to double-check lineups to remove any impacted players.