The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 9 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 9, 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 9 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 9 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 9: Sunny skies with a chance of chaos
Happy holidays, everyone! Yes, somehow, we are less than two months until Christmas and the end of 2021. I know it’s cliché, but how/when did it already become this time of year? I’m still eating Halloween candy I bought, and all of a sudden, Christmas commercials are on, and I’m getting Black Friday ads in the mail.
I guess we were good this year, or at least enough of us, to get an early gift. Much like last week, the weather is not going to come into play for Week 9. This is honestly surprising — when November hits, we usually start to see games pop up with significant weather.
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 foggy head come Monday.
New England Patriots (-3.5) at Carolina Panthers, O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Here we go, folks. Those who had the 1.01 pick get back arguably the most valuable player in fantasy football, Christian McCaffrey. Well, maybe. While we expect McCaffrey to be activated, he will be on a snap count in his first game back. Can you trust him?
I know I’ll have a hard time sitting him, assuming he is active, but he’s more of a mid-to-low RB2 and could fall lower in the standings should the Panthers lean on Chuba Hubbard. As for the Week 9 weather in Charlotte, expect 62 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, and 11 mph winds.
Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (-6), O/U 50.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Lamar Jackson is currently the QB7, but does it feel like it? I’m not sure. He has finished as a QB1 in just three of his games, and three contests account for 97.2 of his 165.7 points (58.6%). In his other four games, he is averaging 17.12. That’s… average. And Jackson was not drafted to be average, nor is he average as a talent. I like Jackson coming off the bye to get things back on track.
Baltimore’s Week 9 weather forecast should feature mostly sunny skies, 9 mph winds, and highs near 55 degrees.
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5), O/U 48 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
No one predicted these teams would be where they are and the seemingly different directions they are heading. The Browns were one of the Super Bowl favorites, and the Bengals were seen as a team still a few years out and had a QB with an injured knee and a polarizing first-round draft pick.
Well, the Browns are in last place in the AFC North and just released Odell Beckham Jr. Meanwhile, the Bengals are 5-3 and have one of the best QB/WR duos in the NFL. This sport is quick to humble you and remind you that no matter how much prep you do, the NFL is going to NFL.
As for the weather forecast in Cincinnati, expect clear skies, 3 mph winds, and 57-degree temperatures that will feel closer to 37 at kickoff.
Buffalo Bills (-14.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars, O/U 48.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Jaguars appear optimistic that James Robinson will play Sunday despite his injured ankle/heel. He will test it before the game, but from the sounds of it, we should be expecting Carlos Hyde. He will be in the mid-to-low RB3 range in a game where the Jaguars will likely need to abandon the run.
Expect 60-degree temperatures, 13 mph winds, and mostly cloudy skies in Jacksonville for Week 9.
Houston Texans at Miami Dolphins (-5), O/U 47 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
Let’s be honest — unless you are a fan of either the Texans or the Dolphins, who will watch this game? I’ll have to watch it, but I get paid to do so. Outside of watching what Houston looks like with Tyrod Taylor back under center, it’s hard to find excitement in this game.
Expect 70-degree temperatures, 14 mph winds that could gust a bit higher, and clear skies in Miami for Week 9.
Las Vegas Raiders (-3) at New York Giants, O/U 46.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
This is starting to feel like a Kadarius Toney game. His best games came when the Giants were lacking pass catchers, and they enter Week 9 in a similar scenario. Kenny Golladay (knee) is a game-time decision, as is John Ross (quad). Sterling Shepard (quad) is out, and New York placed Dante Pettis (shoulder) on IR. They enter the game with Toney and Darius Slayton as the top options. I will not be surprised if Toney ends the week in the WR2 range.
Related | Tommy Garrett’s Early Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 9: AJ Dillon and Adrian Peterson on opposite sides
As for the weather forecast in Week 9, expect temperatures around 57 degrees that feel near freezing at times, partly cloudy skies, and 3 mph winds in East Rutherford.
Los Angeles Chargers (-2) at Philadelphia Eagles, O/U 49.5 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET
I know this matchup is solid for RBs as the Chargers rank 28th in points allowed at 27.49. But I am staying away from the Eagles’ backfield. Boston Scott and Jordan Howard both ended last week with 12 carries, and until the third quarter, Kenneth Gainwell had just 6 snaps. Yet, he finished with a team-leading 13 rushing attempts.
Philadelphia’s offense averages just 26.2 attempts per game (16th in the NFL), and it took them rushing a season-high 46 times to get the production they had last week. Add in Jalen Hurts carrying the ball 7 or more times in every game with double-digits in three outings, and there is not enough volume to get me excited for Eagles RBs in Week 9.
Expect 52-degree temperatures, 7 mph winds, and partly cloudy skies in Philadelphia in Week 9.
Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (-7.5), O/U 48 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
During our In the Mood for Fantasy Football podcast this week, I was asked which QB I liked more for fantasy: Jordan Love or Tyrod Taylor. With little hesitation, I said Taylor. Taylor is the veteran and had a great matchup (MIA is 29th vs. QBs).
Meanwhile, Love has never taken more than 15 snaps in a regular-season game. And that came in garbage time in the blowout loss to the Saints in Week 1. Sure, we saw some improvement in the preseason, and he has the better players around him. But is that enough?
Oddly enough, I am in the minority with this, as most people have Love as the higher-ranked QB. Neither is startable in 1QB leagues, but I find it interesting nonetheless.
As for the Week 9 weather in Kansas City, expect 66 degrees, clear skies, and 14 mph winds.
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (-3), O/U 45 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET
If the storyline of the weekend is not McCaffrey, it’s the status of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins. Neither player practiced this week, and both enter Week 9 as game-time decisions.
Head coach Kliff Kingsbury stated earlier in the week that neither player needed to practice to play in Week 9, but it’s concerning for fantasy managers. Unlike McCaffrey and even Robinson playing during the early slate, we will not know Murray’s and Hopkins’ status until the first wave of games is nearly over. Both would be must-starts, but in Week 9, fantasy managers need to have backup plans set up just in case.
As for the rest of the weather forecast in San Francisco, expect clear skies, 12 mph winds, and 61-degree temperatures.
Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5), O/U 39 | Monday 8:15 PM ET
The matchup to watch in this game is not Justin Fields against the Steelers’ defense. It is Fields against Bears head coach Matt Nagy. Fields is coming off his best day as a professional, where he passed for 175 yards. He also ran 10 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.
That’s the player we all know he can be, and he will only get better. But notably, this took place while Nagy was not with the team after testing positive for COVID-19.
If Fields regresses this week, that is about as damning of a statement that can be made on Nagy — not that we needed another reason. The Steelers have talent on the defensive side of the ball, but they are not world-beaters.
Expect 52-degree temperatures, 5 mph winds, and clear skies in Pittsburgh this week.
Week 9 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.
- Atlanta Falcons (-6) at New Orleans Saints
O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET
- Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys (-9.5)
O/U 49 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Rams (-7)
O/U 52.5 | Sunday 8:20 PM ET
Week 9 bye week teams
The following teams have a bye in Week 9. Be sure to double-check lineups to remove any impacted players.
- Detroit Lions
- Seattle Seahawks
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Football Team