The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 13 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 13, 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 13 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 13 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 13: Winter weather finally makes its appearance in 2021
We’ve been playing with fire in recent weeks, but eventually, winter weather was going to show up. Well, we got it now. Not only are temperatures dropping, but wind and precipitation plan to inject themselves into the narrative this week in several games.
With just two weeks until the start of the fantasy playoffs, each and every week is critical for fantasy managers jockeying for position. Let’s dive into the Week 13 fantasy weather report to see which games we need to keep an eye on this week.
New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills (-3), O/U 41.5 | Monday 8:20 PM ET
Out of all the games in Week 13, we expect this one to be the worst. The downside is it’s also the last as it’s on Monday night. Temperatures will be chilly, but nothing Bills Mafia can’t handle. Expected temperatures will hover around 35 but feel closer to 24 thanks to the blustery wind. Sustained wind speeds will near 30 mph, with gusts encroaching 50 mph. Add in a chance for snow showers, and Orchard Park conditions will be miserable no matter how accustomed you are to Northeast winter weather.
Of the two teams, this feels like it will impact the Bills more than the Patriots. The Bills run their offense through Josh Allen, who loves to push the ball vertically. Those passes could be challenging to complete in these winds. The Patriots have always played Allen hard, and this could be a lower-scoring game than anticipated. I would be cautious loading up my lineups with players out of this game. Start your studs, avoid the kickers, and manage expectations.
Arizona Cardinals (-7) at Chicago Bears, O/U 42.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
I don’t think they’re used to this weather in Phoenix. 38-degree temperatures will feel closer to freezing thanks to the 15 mph sustained winds and 25+ mph wind gusts. It also has the best chance of precipitation at 80%. That said, totals should be below anything that will impact the playing surface at less than a quarter of rainfall in total.
The weather can impact things like pass catching and punt returning as muffs become more common. The biggest question is — who is even playing in this game? Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins are “game-time decisions” despite missing the last three contests but are respected to play. And then we have Justin Fields, who is dealing with a rib injury but is inactive for Week 13. At least this is a 1:00 PM ET game, so we will have an answer at 11:30 AM when inactives are announced. I’m just annoyed with it all at this point.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 13: 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.
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins (-6), O/U 39.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
I’m genuinely curious which version of Saquon Barkley we will see this week. I know Barkley has been a massive disappointment to fantasy managers, but there are flashes in his film where he looks like “vintage” Barkley. With Mike Glennon under center, we could see Joe Judge rely on Barkley more and maybe even see him targeted in the passing game as he was early in his career.
The matchup against the Dolphins is not ideal (No. 6 in points allowed), but I could see a big game for Barkley — or at least a step in the right direction.
As for the Week 13 weather in Miami, expect 79 degrees, mostly sunny skies, and 8 mph winds.
Philadelphia Eagles (-5) at New York Jets, O/U 43.5 | 1:00 PM ET
According to NFL reporter Derrick Gunn, Jalen Hurts is not expected to play tomorrow after injuring his ankle last week. Normally I would be worried about losing the No. 2 QB in fantasy, but I am not. Do you know why? Gardner. Freaking. Minshew. That’s right. The denim-wearing, whiskey-shooting, mullet-rocking, girl-stealing, mustached All-American man is taking over the reins and will be under center according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. MinshewMania is back, brother.
East Rutherford’s Week 13 weather forecast should feature mostly sunny skies, calm winds, and highs near 44 degrees.
Los Angeles Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3), O/U 50 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Few WRs were hotter than Mike Williams and J’Marr Chase to start the season. However, both players have seen massive drops in production in recent weeks. Since Week 6, Williams is the WR46, averaging only 8.7 PPR points per game. As for Chase, he is the WR42 (10.5 ppg) in his last four outings. Both players have been struggling to connect on the deep ball as they were early in the season and other players (Keenan Allen and Tee Higgins) continue to soak up targets. We’ll continue to start them, but not as the WR1s they were earlier in the year.
As for the weather forecast in Cincinnati, expect partly cloudy skies, 11 mph winds with 18 mph gusts, and 48-degree temperatures at kickoff.
Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, O/U 44.5 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
I am once again here to tell you this is the Rashod Bateman breakout week. He’s never seen less than 6 targets in a game, and over his last four games has seen 17.5% (26) of the targets and 21.75% (247) of the intended air yards. I have a difficult time seeing the Steelers stopping the Ravens’ offense. Bateman will get his first NFL TD this week.
Expect 49-degree temperatures, 7 mph winds, and partly sunny skies in Pittsburgh for Week 13.
San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) at Seattle Seahawks, O/U 45.5 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
Maybe it is just me, but I’m kind of overtrusting Seattle Seahawks players. Russell Wilson comes in outside the top 12. The backfield is just … ugh. DK Metcalf is the WR73 since Week 9, and Tyler Lockett is either putting up 40 points or 4. There’s no middle ground. I mean, I have to keep starting Metcalf and Lockett, but they’re in flex territory rather than must-starts.
As for the weather forecast in Week 13, expect temperatures around 41 degrees, mostly sunny skies, and light winds in Seattle.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5), O/U 47 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET
The Bass Drum kicks. Toms rattle. Cymbals crash. “I can feel it coming in the air tonight.” You just played that in your head and are now hyped up. Keep that same excitement when starting Broncos RB Javonte Williams in Week 13.
Melvin Gordon (hip) is out, and Williams is finally set to be unleashed on the NFL. Watch him land on Kyle Brandt’s Angry Runs segment on GMFB in his first start. Williams is a bulldozer mixed with a wrecking ball and runs like Steven Jackson. Sit back. Relax. And enjoy the show.
Kansas City’s Week 13 weather forecast should feature mostly sunny skies, 11 mph winds with 20 mph gusts, and highs near 50 degrees.
Week 13 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.
- Indianapolis Colts (-10) at Houston Texans
O/U 44.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Minnesota Vikings (-7) at Detroit Lions
O/U 46.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Jacksonville Jaguars at Los Angeles Rams (-12.5)
O/U 47.5 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET - Washington Football Team at Las Vegas Raiders (-1.5)
O/U 48 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET
Week 13 bye week teams
The following teams have their bye week in Week 13. Be sure to double-check lineups to remove any impacted players.