The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 16 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 16, 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 16 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 16 is based on National Weather Service reporting. All NFL odds are from the NFL’s official website.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 16: A white Christmas for the NFL?
Blink, and you miss it. I guess that’s life. One day you are prepping for fantasy drafts while listening to fireworks go off for the Fourth of July. The next thing you know, you are bouncing back and forth between seeing who on your team just went onto the reserve/COVID-19 list while wrapping presents. It’s almost like someone hit the fast-forward button to speed everything up in our lives.
Those have certainly changed as well. You notice it more this time of year. At least I am. Some of those tags under the tree are missing a few names, and more and more hooks by the fireplace won’t have a stocking on them. It’s like Andy Bernard said, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.”
By no means is this to be a sob story or to act like it is all me right now. Quite the contrary. I know it’s not just in my house this is going on, but in households around the country and world. The holidays are already tough on people for a myriad of reasons. Add in the long winter nights, the flooding of Christmas commercials, and the memories this time of year brings, and it can be more than some want to deal with, unfortunately.
Give the gift of a message this Christmas. Reach out to a friend or family member you haven’t heard from in a while. You might never know how much that will be appreciated.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and good luck in your fantasy playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets (-1.5), O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
On the whole, I am not overly concerned about this game. I am only mentioning it due to the wind gusts, but it’s not as if these teams are loaded with fantasy players or streaming-worth kickers. Sustained winds will hover around 15 mph, but gusts could reach near 30 mph and be in the upper 20s for the game’s duration. Beyond that, we are in the clear weather-wise. Expect 48-degree temperatures and mostly clear skies.
James Robinson might single-handedly win a matchup or two this week. In his first game without Urban Meyer, Robinson had 18 carries, 88 total yards, and a rushing touchdown against the Texans. The Jets allow the most fantasy points to RBs (34.78), 179.9 yards per game, and have allowed 25 touchdowns. Robinson is a top-five fantasy option in Week 16.
Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (-6.5), O/U 42 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET
Of the entire Week 16 slate, this is the only game I think we could see some winter weather worth watching for fantasy. By the time you are reading this, the snow has already started. In fact, the Seattle region had a white Christmas, and I guess it’s acting like the in-laws and sticking around a few extra days. While the area will have seen nearly three inches, the field will be fine with the tarp over it. We only need to consider what falls once it is pulled off.
Throughout the game, we are currently looking around a couple of tenths, which I’m not concerned about as of right now. That is unless we see a change in predicted amounts, which can always happen, not only in the PNW area but also with snow accumulation. As for the rest of the weather in Seattle, expect 28-degree temperatures that feel closer to the high teens, 7 mph winds, and mostly cloudy skies.
What version of Russell Wilson are we getting this week? Since coming back from his finger injury in Week 10, Wilson is averaging 13.3 fantasy points (QB29). With Tyler Lockett out last week, he threw for just 156 yards and no touchdowns.
Over the last four games, the Bears are 31st in points allowed (20.92) and last in touchdowns with 10. If Wilson were to have a bounce back and be startable in fantasy, it would be this week. Also, Nick Foles is starting for the Bears. What a time to be alive.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 16: Worry-free weather
The clear weather forecast is a welcome sight for fantasy managers. With that said, there is a 100% chance of chaos.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-10), O/U 40.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Saquon Barkley is having a down year, which is not completely unexpected after coming off a torn ACL last season. But you would have thought things would be better by now. Yet, sometimes you can’t tell if it is Barkley or Devontae Booker on the field.
With that said, Barkley has not ruined your team since coming back from his ankle injury. Although he has just 1 score in his last five games, Barkley has finished inside the top 20 in three of five games while also finishing no worse than the RB31. He’s a fringe RB2 against an Eagles team that is 10th over the last four games vs. RBs (19.10).
As for the Week 16 weather in Philadelphia, expect 52 degrees, mostly sunny skies, and 8 mph winds with gusts in the upper teens.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (-2), O/U 43.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
This is a massive game, but unfortunately, several key players are either out or up in the air. The Bills are out both Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis (COVID-19), making guys like Dawson Knox and Emmanuel Sanders almost must-starts.
As for the Patriots, Nelson Agholor (concussion) and Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) are out, and Kendrick Bourne (COVID-19) did not practice this week. Damien Harris becomes a must-start, and Jakobi Meyers would be in the WR3 range in a difficult matchup.
Foxborough’s Week 16 weather forecast should feature partly cloudy skies, 8 mph winds, highs near 42 degrees, and gusts around 18 mph.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-9.5) at Carolina Panthers, O/U 43 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Goodness, the Buccaneers are a totally different offense after just one game. In one game, they lost Chris Godwin (ACL – IR) for the remainder of the season, Leonard Fournette (hamstring – IR) for the rest of the regular season, and Mike Evans (hamstring) for at least Week 16.
Ronald Jones is suddenly an RB1 this week, and Antonio Brown — assuming he is looking as good as Arian has stated — is a low-end WR1.
Keep an eye on Tyler Johnson as the sneaky guy who gets elevated. He looked good last week hauling in 4 passes for 41 yards on 7 targets and has had two games of 60+ yards. I would at least add him in case he does blow up. You could potentially use him in Week 17 against the New York Jets for your fantasy championship.
As for the weather forecast in Charlotte, expect sunny skies, 6 mph winds, and 49 degrees at kickoff.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5), O/U 44.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET
Both Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley are out for this game. This means that the recently signed Josh Johnson will be the starting QB for Baltimore.
Expect 54 degrees, calm winds, and partly sunny skies in Cincinnati for Week 16.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5), O/U 45 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET
If you are the Steelers, imagine going into a game and saying, “we are going to make Patrick Mahomes beat us.”
That’s ludicrous to say, especially after watching him throw for 410 yards and 3 TDs last week. But if I was them, this might be what I would do. Sell out on finally stopping the run for once and see if they can win with Mecole Hardman, Byron Pringle, and Blake Bell.
Assuming both Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce remain out due to COVID-19, I’m staying away from the Chiefs pass catchers. Still, view Clyde Edwards-Helaire as a solid RB2 against a Steelers defense that is dead last over the last four weeks vs. RBs (34.5) and has allowed at least one RB to score over 15 PPR points in six straight games.
Kansas City’s Week 16 weather forecast should feature mostly cloudy skies, 8 mph winds, and highs near 59 degrees.
Week 16 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.
- Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (-2)
O/U 49 | Saturday 8:15 PM ET - Los Angeles Chargers (-10) at Houston Texans
O/U 46 | Sunday 1 PM ET - Los Angeles Rams (-3) at Minnesota Vikings
O/U 49 | Sunday 1 PM ET - Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons (-6.5)
O/U 42.5 | Sunday 1 PM ET - Denver Broncos (-1) at Las Vegas Raiders
O/U 40.5 | Sunday 4:15 PM ET - Washington Football Team at Dallas Cowboys (-10)
O/U 47 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET - Miami Dolphins (-2.5) at New Orleans Saints
O/U 37.5 | Monday 8:15 PM ET