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 NFL game across Sunday and Monday so managers can make the best lineup decisions.
What Is the Fantasy Impact of the Week 15 NFL Weather?
Weather information was taken from Weather.com at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 14. In-depth stats are courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High single-digits to low teens
- Showers: 1%
- Wind: 12 mph WNW
The Cleveland Browns visit the Chicago Bears in what is forecast to be a bitterly cold afternoon at Soldier Field. Kyle Monangai should receive the biggest boost in fantasy, as the more bruising back in the Bears’ rotation.
Quinshon Judkins is already a must-start against a generous Chicago run defense, and is running out of backfield partners, with Dylan Sampson ruled out through injury. David Njoku is also out, meaning Harold Fannin Jr. should see plenty of work, with Cedric Tillman questionable.
Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High single-digits to low teens
- Showers: 2%
- Wind: 11 mph WNW
Similarly, frigid conditions in Southwest Ohio should favor Derrick Henry when the Baltimore Ravens take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Tee Higgins is out with a concussion, making Joe Burrow’s day even more difficult.
Zay Flowers and Ja’Marr Chase remain must-starts, while Isaiah Likely and Mike Gesicki are solid streaming options at tight end. If you’re desperately scrambling for a last-minute dart-throw off the waiver wire due to an injury, Mitchell Tinsley was targeted nine times with Higgins sidelined in Week 13.
He didn’t do a lot with those opportunities, but he has jump-ball prowess and will see plenty of one-on-one coverage. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him find the end zone this week.
New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 70s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 13 mph WNW
The Jacksonville Jaguars look to have found their groove lately, which shouldn’t be a surprise as we edge toward the end of Liam Coen’s first year in charge. Trevor Lawrence is a man in form and offers a solid fantasy floor, while a friendly matchup gives him an intriguing ceiling.
Jakobi Meyers has a touchdown in three-straight games and should be started everywhere, with Brenton Strange, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Etienne also good starts this week. Meanwhile, Brady Cook is in line to start for the New York Jets, so you may want to hold off on starting any Jets players unless you absolutely have to, given the stakes this week.
Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High teens to low 20s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 2 mph SSE
The Kansas City Chiefs’ season looks as good as over, but the Los Angeles Chargers still have their sights set on a division title since the 2009 season. On a cold, but calm, day, Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice should be in play, as well as Kareem Hunt.
The Chargers’ defense isn’t the best matchup for Xavier Worthy, who is likely already on plenty of benches. For Los Angeles, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen are likely the best flex options on your roster, but Justin Herbert is coming off the three quietest games of his season.
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 30s
- Showers: 55%
- Wind: 8 mph NNW
At the time of writing, there is light snow forecast in Foxborough for the majority of this game, which could further impact an already-leaky Buffalo Bills run defense. Only two teams have allowed more yards per carry than Buffalo (5.1) this season, making TreVeyon Henderson a must-start, and Rhamondre Stevenson a tempting flex.
The New England Patriots (four yards per carry allowed) have been much better against the run, but James Cook remains a potential week-winner. The Bills are ranked third in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, and will feel right at home in the cold, in a must-win game for their division-title hopes.
Washington Commanders at New York Giants
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High 20s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 15 mph NW
Snow is also forecast in East Rutherford on Sunday, but it is expected to have departed before the football begins. Marcus Mariota will again lead the Washington Commanders after Jayden Daniels aggravated his elbow injury against the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.
Deebo Samuel Sr. is expected to play and should be started everywhere, while Chris Rodriguez is looking like a game-time decision. That’s important, as the New York Giants have allowed a league-high 5.8 yards per carry this season, making the Commanders’ back a good flex play if good to go.
Jaxson Dart should get back to his usual self and provide fantasy value for owners, while Wan’dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Theo Johnson are all potentially in play.
Las Vegas Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High 20s
- Showers: 4%
- Wind: 19 NW
The Las Vegas Raiders visit the Philadelphia Eagles in what should, in theory, be a one-sided affair at Lincoln Financial Field. The wind is important to factor in if you’re rostering either kicker, with plenty of alternatives on the waiver wire.
With Geno Smith out, Brock Bowers is the only Raiders pass catcher you can’t bench, while Ashton Jeanty could see more attention. However, with Jalen Carter sidelined for the Eagles, who have given up 450 rushing yards in their last two games, Jeanty owners have some reasons to be hopeful.
Green Bay Packers at Denver Broncos
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High 50s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 4 mph N
In a potential Super Bowl matchup, the Denver Broncos welcome the Green Bay Packers, with both teams looking to solidify their position at the top of their respective divisions. All quarterbacks and pass catchers get marked down when facing the Broncos, while Josh Jacobs may also not be at his best, having carefully managed a knee injury all week.
The Packers’ run defense is solid, while Jeff Hafley does a good job of limiting big plays, which isn’t great news for Troy Franklin, who has fallen off lately anyway. RJ Harvey has averaged over three yards per carry in just three games this season. His value comes from volume, pass-catching usage, and red-zone prowess, so he remains a strong start.
Indianapolis Colts at Seattle Seahawks
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 50s
- Showers: 7%
- Wind: 9 mph S
Daniel Jones’ season-ending injury is a massive blow to the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff hopes, but it has also left fantasy managers in no-man’s land regarding the team’s receivers. Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce are all fantasy-relevant assets who have an enormous range of outcomes for the rest of the year.
Philip Rivers could prove a lot of people wrong on Sunday, but he could also tank your fantasy season in the first round of the playoffs. If you can afford to bench your Colts receivers against a strong Seattle Seahawks defense, this is the week to do it.
Meanwhile, the Colts’ defense has been solid against the run this year, allowing just 3.8 yards per carry, tied for second-best in the NFL. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet are still in play, though, given what is expected to be a very run-friendly game script.
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 50s
- Showers: 4%
- Wind: 2 mph NW
Fresh off their second win of the season, the Tennessee Titans head west to Santa Clara to take on the San Francisco 49ers this weekend. The weather shouldn’t come into play, so all the usual faces can be trusted.
For those who play with kickers, Eddy Piñeiro is set to return for the 49ers this week, having last played in Week 11. Piñeiro is rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues, and has averaged 10.4 fantasy points per game this season, the fifth-most of all active kickers in the league.
Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kickoff: Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High teens to low 20s
- Showers: 8%
- Wind: 8 mph SW
Weather forecasts can be volatile, so things may look different than this come Monday night, but it will undoubtedly be cold when the Miami Dolphins take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. The temperatures certainly play into Pittsburgh’s hands, and both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell are solid flex starts this week.
The Steelers defense has allowed 244 passing yards per game this season, the fifth-most in the NFL. The cold weather won’t help the Dolphins move the ball through the air, but T.J. Watt’s absence may make up for that.
Games Played in Domes or Stadiums With Retractable Roofs
Arizona Cardinals at Houston Texans | Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET.
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints | Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET.
Detroit Lions at Los Angeles Rams | Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET.
Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys | Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET.
