Nothing can derail a fantasy football team’s performance quite like bad weather. Rain, heat, cold, and wind can majorly impact players’ performance on the field. Here’s a weather report for every Sunday NFL game so managers can make the best lineup decisions.
What is the Fantasy Impact of the Week 7 NFL Weather?
Weather information taken from Weather.com at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 19. In-depth stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Los Angeles Rams at Jacksonville Jaguars (London Game)
- Kickoff: Sunday, 9.30 a.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High 50s
- Showers: 80%
- Wind: 11 mph South Southeasterly
If you’re going to schedule an event in England in October, expect rain. The Jacksonville Jaguars “host” the LA Rams on a rainy afternoon in north London. The Jaguars’ passing game has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, but the conditions this week won’t help.
Matthew Stafford will be without Puka Nacua, who won’t suit up after injuring his ankle against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell were both savvy waiver pickups in fantasy, but will also have to deal with the weather.
New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low to mid 50s
- Showers: 20% at kickoff, dropping throughout.
- Wind: 21 mph Northwesterly
Precipitation is forecast as high as 97% in Chicago on Sunday morning, so even if the game manages to miss the showers, rain will be a factor. Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift is ranked seventh among all running backs in PFSN’s RB Impact metric this season, and should be given a heavy workload this weekend.
On the other side of the ball, Kendre Miller is an option for those looking for a last-minute desperation flex. The Bears have allowed the second-most rushing yards per attempt in the NFL this year (5.7), and Alvin Kamara is playing through an ankle injury.
With winds set to top 20 mph, there are better kicking options in the other games this week.
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid 60s
- Showers: 100% at kickoff, dropping to 37%
- Wind: 23 mph South-Southwesterly at kickoff, dropping to 20 mph
Similar conditions in Cleveland should favor running backs, especially rookie Quinshon Judkins. The Miami Dolphins defense ranks 31st in PFSN’s Defense Impact metric, and has allowed over 400 total yards in three straight games.
Kimani Vidal and Rico Dowdle have rushed for 124 and 206 yards, respectively, against Miami over the past two weeks, and Judkins should be able to do likewise in the rain. Again, with wind speeds topping 20 mph, passing and kicking accuracy could be affected.
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 60s at kickoff, rising to mid 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 11 mph West Northwesterly
The first dry game on this list is the Las Vegas Raiders’ trip to the Kansas City Chiefs. Conditions are ideal in this one, with the weather not a factor. Rashee Rice’s return to the Chiefs’ lineup will be one to watch, given the seismic shift he can make in fantasy after six weeks out through suspension.
Rice’s return will likely put a considerable dent in Travis Kelce’s fantasy production, but his sell-high window is now closed.
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 70s
- Showers: 1%
- Wind: 12 mph South Southeasterly
The Carolina Panthers are looking to win three straight games for the first time since the opening three games of the 2021 season. That run started with a win over the New York Jets, in Sam Darnold’s first game for Carolina after being traded from New York.
The Jets’ offense ranks 30th in Offense Impact this season, with Justin Fields struggling to make an impact through the air. His rushing upside still makes him worth a start in fantasy, after an abysmal showing against the Denver Broncos last time out.
Sauce Gardner will likely shadow talented rookie Tetairoa McMillan, but second-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is finally back from injury. Sanders was targeted nine times in Week 2 and is a desperate streaming option for those in need at tight end.
New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 60s
- Showers: 18% at kickoff, dropping throughout
- Wind: 21 mph West Northwesterly at kickoff, dropping to mid-teens
The Tennessee Titans were brought back down to earth by the Raiders in Week 6, after their unlikely comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals the previous weekend. This Sunday, they face an in-form New England Patriots, without star receiver Calvin Ridley.
If rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has a breakout game, this weekend is as good a chance as he’s likely to get. The Titans rank dead last in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, and things could easily get away from them quickly if the Patriots’ offense can start fast.
Rhamondre Stevenson is in play this week, given his seemingly bulletproof role in the Patriots’ offense. Tony Pollard is best left alone this week, while Tyjae Spears is a desperation flex play in PPR leagues.
Higher winds should serve as a tiebreaker when choosing a kicker.
New York Giants at Denver Broncos
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid 70s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 5 mph South Southeasterly at kickoff, changing to Westerly and Northwesterly
The Denver Broncos host the New York Giants on a perfect Colorado afternoon. The Giants are buoyant after their shock win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6, but now face the highest-ranked defense in the NFL.
Jaxson Dart is one of the season’s stories so far, but he is a risky start in fantasy this week, as are the rest of the team. Cam Skattebo should see enough work to remain flex-worthy, but the Giants’ receivers are best avoided.
The usual faces are playable for Denver, so Courtland Sutton and J.K. Dobbins should be in lineups. Bo Nix, though, has been disappointing at the start of the year, and there are far more exciting options available at quarterback this week.
Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid 70s at kickoff, dropping to high 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind:9 mph Northwesterly
The San Francisco 49ers will again be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy this week, which is good news for Kendrick Bourne owners. Ricky Pearsall has also been ruled out, which should further aid the former Patriot’s fantasy value.
The Atlanta Falcons are riding high after their surprise Week 6 victory over the Buffalo Bills and will be hopeful of another primetime win. The return of George Kittle is the most fantasy-relevant storyline, and all of the usual players are playable, with the weather not likely to play a role.
Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks
- Kickoff: Monday, 10:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid 50s at kickoff, dropping to low 50s
- Showers: 3%
- Wind: 3mph Southeasterly
After a rainy Sunday in Seattle, the city is expected to stay dry throughout Monday; that should make for perfect Monday night conditions, with low winds also expected. Two of the best defenses in football, the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks, face off, potentially affecting fantasy lineup decisions.
Christian Kirk has been ruled out for the Texans, who could begin to feature rookie wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel more after their Week 6 bye. Star receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Nico Collins are still must-starts, but running back rotations and stingy defenses make everybody else more risky.
Games Played in Domes, or in Stadiums with Retractable Roofs
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings | Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Chargers | Sunday, 4.05 p.m. ET
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals | Sunday, 4.25 p.m. ET
Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, 4.25 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions | Monday, 7 p.m. ET
