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 8 NFL Weather?
Weather information was taken from Weather.com at 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. In-depth stats are courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: Low to mid-60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 8 mph east-northeasterly
Few would be surprised to hear that one of these two teams heads into Sunday on the back of three straight wins, and the other, two consecutive losses. Shockingly, though, it’s the Buffalo Bills who are looking to find their feet, while the Carolina Panthers are searching for their fourth win on the bounce.
Despite their recent dip in form, the Bills offense ranks second in PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, behind only the Indianapolis Colts. The Panthers defense has been much improved this season, and it’ll need to be at its best this Sunday to stop reigning MVP Josh Allen.
With conditions set to be perfect for football, all the usual names are playable in fantasy this week.
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: High 50s to low 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 8 mph easterly
A rejuvenated Cincinnati Bengals team hosts the 0-7 New York Jets on Sunday, and few will expect Aaron Glenn’s team to get its first win before the Week 9 bye. Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson have both been ruled out, with both players having missed the entire week of practice.
That will affect the game far more than the weather, which is set to be colder than perfect but calm and dry. With Josh Reynolds also sidelined, Mason Taylor could be in line for a huge game, especially if Tyrod Taylor starts for New York. The tight end was targeted five times in Week 7, with all seven being thrown by Tyrod, who only played the second half.
Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: Low 50s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 7 mph north-northwesterly
The New England Patriots are flying high at the top of the AFC East, but they will need to be on their game against one of the NFL’s best defenses this weekend. As with the above games, the weather shouldn’t come into play and shouldn’t factor into fantasy decisions.
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: High 50s to low 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 6 mph northerly
The reigning Super Bowl champions ended their run of two straight losses last week with a win against the Minnesota Vikings. That winless run included a shock defeat to the New York Giants in Week 6, and they’ll be eager to avenge that this weekend.
A.J. Brown’s absence saves fantasy managers a difficult start/sit decision, but it couldn’t have come at a worse time, with six teams on bye. The weather shouldn’t play a part in Philadelphia.
Chicago Bears at Baltimore Ravens
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: High 50s to low 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 3 mph northeasterly
The Chicago Bears’ trip to the Baltimore Ravens rounds out a calm and dry early window, and once again, the weather shouldn’t impact this one. The Ravens will again be without Lamar Jackson, who practiced this week but will have to wait until at least Thursday night to return to the field.
By then, Baltimore could be 1-6, with the Bears having won four straight games heading into their trip to Maryland.
Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: Mid to high 60s
- Showers: 0%
- Wind: 5 mph northeasterly
Unstoppable force meets immovable object as the second-highest scoring team in the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys, faces the fourth-best scoring defense, the Denver Broncos. All five of Dallas’ fantasy stars — Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson — remain must-starts but are all unlikely to produce season bests.
Bo Nix, J.K. Dobbins, and Courtland Sutton are also no-brainers in fantasy this week, while Troy Franklin is a high-risk, high-upside flex play for those in need. As with the early-window games, the weather shouldn’t affect this one.
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: High to mid 40s
- Showers: 2%
- Wind: 5 mph northeasterly
Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love will dominate the pre-, mid-, and postgame talk surrounding this week’s Sunday Night Football matchup. The four-time league MVP faces off against his former team, having already downed the New York Jets in Week 1.
This one has far more significance, though, and Rodgers needs little excuse to carry a chip on his shoulder, making this matchup extra spicy. Colder temperatures might lead to a more run-heavy approach from both teams, which would favor the visitors.
The Green Bay Packers have allowed 3.5 yards per rush attempt so far, the fifth fewest in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, are giving up 4.4 yards per rush attempt, the 13th most. Jaylen Warren is still a must-start this week, while Rodgers and Love are both solid starts at quarterback, with so many fantasy-relevant options on bye.
Washington Commanders at Kansas City Chiefs
- Kickoff: Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
- Expected temperature: High 50s
- Showers: 5% at kickoff, rising to around 15%
- Wind: 6 mph east-southeasterly
With Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin both set to return for the Washington Commanders this week, Jayden Daniels’ injury has denied us a brilliant Monday night matchup. The Kansas City Chiefs have hit some form, winning four of their last five games after starting the season 0-2.
With a trip to Buffalo waiting for them in Week 9, the Chiefs will want to make it three wins in a row on Monday night and travel east in top form next weekend. Marcus Mariota is 1-1 as a starter this season and can keep the offense afloat, but Daniels’ absence is a hit for all of Washington’s fantasy-relevant players.
There is a small chance of showers, but the weather should again be absolutely fine to close out the weekend’s action.
Games Played in Domes or Stadiums With Retractable Roofs
Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons | Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
San Francisco 49ers at Houston Texans | Sunday, 1 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints | Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts | Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
