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 17 NFL Weather?
Weather information was taken from Weather.com at 11:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 27. In-depth stats are courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High single digits
- Showers: 24%
- Wind: 3 mph ESE
The Carolina Panthers could secure their first division title since 2015 if results go their way this weekend. However, with a one-win lead over their Week 18 opponents, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they will have their future in their own hands heading into next week, regardless.
That could prove key, with the Seattle Seahawks coming off five straight wins and having a division title of their own to play for. If anything, lower temperatures will favor rushing, so Kenneth Walker III is back in play, having gone off on many fantasy benches against the Los Angeles Rams last week.
The Panthers have allowed 4.5 yards per carry this season, tied for ninth-most in the NFL, while Seattle has the league’s best run defense in that stat, allowing just 3.7.
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High teens
- Showers: 9%
- Wind: 16 mph SSW
The Arizona Cardinals travel to southern Ohio to take on the lopsided Cincinnati Bengals this weekend. As always, the Bengals’ high-powered offense should be able to push the score up and, alongside their atrocious defense, create a fantasy-friendly shootout.
Jacoby Brissett should be able to bounce back after finally recording a fantasy finish outside the top 12 quarterbacks last week. Freezing temperatures and stronger winds, though, suggest that priority waiver-add Michael Carter is the key play at flex.
Emari Demercado is also a risky upside play as the more explosive threat, but Carter’s volume makes him the far safer bet this week. Marvin Harrison Jr. is a big risk, given the weather and the fact that the Bengals have been surprisingly effective at shutting down wide receivers this season. There are far safer kicker options in some of the other games.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High single digits to low teens
- Showers: 71%
- Wind: 17 mph S
The winds and temperatures are set to be similar when the Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers, but with a considerably larger chance of downpours. Neither quarterback is likely to be in your thoughts outside of Superflex, but pass catchers will also be heavily impacted if we see a combination of cold, wind, and rain.
Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell should both be in play, while there are more question marks over the Browns’ backs. Dylan Sampson is questionable with a hand injury; he would likely dominate touches out of the backfield, while Raheim Sanders could continue to handle goal-line work.
Either way, the Steelers have been phenomenal against the run in recent games, making both players a risky start, but Sampson would be the preference if healthy.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid 20s
- Showers: 1%
- Wind: 5 mph E
After starting strongly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have now lost six of their last seven games and could be out of playoff contention by the end of the weekend. Meanwhile, after losing six of their first seven, the Miami Dolphins have turned things around and made things respectable in the second half of the season.
The frosty temperatures are set to be the only weather-related factor in this game, but a lack of wind and rain should mean that the impact is minimal.
New England Patriots at New York Jets
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low single digits
- Showers: 7%
- Wind: 5 mph SW
The big news for the New England Patriots is that rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson will suit up in Week 17 after clearing concussion protocol. His workload may be slightly reduced, with the playoffs incoming, but he is still a strong RB2 play against the New York Jets.
Rhamondre Stevenson should also be capable of producing flex value, with the Patriots likely to be playing with a significant lead. Mack Hollins is on IR, which could make Hunter Henry a strong start at tight end. Adonai Mitchell and Breece Hall are both risky desperation starts, but you’d be forgiven for sitting all of your Jets this week.
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Low 20s
- Showers: 6%
- Wind: 14 mph SSW
The New Orleans Saints take on the Tennessee Titans on a cold and windy afternoon in Nashville, and two much-improved rookies will be on show. Cam Ward and Tyler Shough have both done enough to guarantee their starting jobs for 2026, despite neither team ever threatening to put together a winning season.
Again, due to the conditions, a run-and-screen-heavy offense may be in order, with running backs again likely to be the plays in fantasy. Taysom Hill is an option at tight end or flex as the Saints’ primary ball carrier, with passing and receiving upside.
For Tennessee, both Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears are in play, as well as Chimere Dike, whose run-after-catch prowess could come into play.
Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills
- Kickoff: Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: Mid single digits
- Showers: 98%
- Wind: 5 mph SSE
Despite a scare, Josh Allen will lead out the Buffalo Bills against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday and is believed to have no restrictions. That will be important, as a cold and wet forecast should mean the reigning MVP will be using his legs as much as, if not more than, his arm.
Saquon Barkley could be in for a huge game in the cold and rain, with the Bills having allowed 5.4 yards per carry this year, the second-most in the NFL. The Eagles have also struggled to stop the run, meaning Barkley, Allen, James Cook, and Jalen Hurts could all be in line for big rushing days.
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
- Kickoff: Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET
- Expected Temperature: High single digits
- Showers: 1%
- Wind: 7 mph NW
Rounding out the coldest weather report of the season, so far, is the Chicago Bears’ visit to the San Francisco 49ers. The Bears have now won the NFC North after the Green Bay Packers crumbled to a heavy defeat by the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday night.
The 49ers still have their sights on a division title, though, and will be confident of setting up a title decider with Seattle next weekend. Despite the cold, low winds and a lack of rain should see both quarterbacks play relatively freely, with Brock Purdy now leading all quarterbacks in PFSN’s QB Impact metric.
George Kittle is questionable, and the decision could come down to the wire, so be ready to pick up Jake Tonges or play someone else in one of the earlier games, with Kittle holding flex value if healthy.
Games Played in Domes or Stadiums With Retractable Roofs
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts | Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders | Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET
Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons | Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
