The NFL and the world of fantasy football head into Week 17 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 17, and if any of your fantasy 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 17 weather report will be updated if any changes happen from the time of writing to kickoff. The NFL weather forecast for Week 17 is based on National Weather Service reporting. All NFL odds are from the NFL’s official website.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 17: A cold and wet way to ring in the New Year
What a year this was. Here I am, still trying to process 2020, and it’s about to be 2022. Now, that doesn’t mean 2021 is about to go away quietly. Oh no. It’s going out kicking and screaming, and right now, it looks like we will still be dealing with it in these first days of 2022 — the weather could be a mess. We have honestly had it pretty easy weather-wide this fantasy season. I suppose Mother Nature took pity on us and felt we had enough going on to deal with already. But all that changes just in time for our championships.
Across the slate, we’ll see a combination of snow, rain, heavy winds, and even subzero temperatures. Add in all the depleted rosters due to COVID-19, and Week 17 is going to be like trying to walk through a minefield while blindfolded. If you hoist that trophy when it’s all said and done, you earned it and yourself a well-deserved break. Enjoy it.
Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills (-14), O/U 44 | Sunday 1:00 PM
Snowy football games just hit differently. Add in Bills Mafia, and it gets even better. We get both of that here in what will be a massive shock to the system for a Falcons team who is used to playing in either a dome or in warm weather. 26-degree temperatures will feel closer to 16 degrees for kickoff, thanks to 10 mph winds. At times, it will be even chillier when the 20+ mph gusts kick in at The Ralph. The real fun begins when the snow starts. AM freezing rain will turn to sleet and eventually snow for the game, with totals between half an inch to an inch during the game.
I already favored the Bills and their fantasy players, but this further cements their advantage. The Bills have a team built for this. Josh Allen has an arm that can cut through the wind, a full complement of receivers, and even have a steady rushing game with Devin Singletary, who comes in as a high-end RB2 for Week 17.
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks (-7.5), O/U 41.5 | Sunday 4:25 PM
The PNW has a reputation for being a rainy area. It will live up to that moniker and then some on Sunday. With the Lions in town, expect to see 39-degree temperatures with wind chills around 30 degrees or even creeping into the high 20s. Wind speeds will hover around 15 mph and 20 to 25 mph gusts. However, the show’s real star will be the rain. Heavy rain will soak the area and continue into the game with a 99% chance of precipitation and totals between a quarter to just over three-tenths of an inch. That’s impactful.
I would still start my usual stars in this game. DK Metcalf is great, and I expect a better game from Tyler Lockett. It takes guys a game at least to come back to “normal” after COVID.
My curiosity is with D’Andre Swift. The Lions have nothing to play for but opted to bring him back after missing the last four games due to a shoulder injury. But why? I don’t have that answer, but you would assume they wouldn’t bring Swift and not give him his usual workload. On Thursday, head coach Dan Campbell said, “We’ll shut him down after Green Bay.” Wow, you don’t say? Last time I checked, most teams tend to shut down their players after their season is over.
Miami Dolphins at Tennessee Titans (-3.5), O/U 39.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM
Fantasy managers got a scare when A.J. Brown popped up on the injury report Thursday with a calf injury and was labeled a DNP. Luckily enough, it seems it was merely precautionary as he was back out Friday on the field. With Julio Jones on the COVID-19/reserve list, Brown should be in for a massive day. Still, Xavien Howard might make life hard on him.
He is not the only WR1, as Jaylen Waddle continues to be a star in his rookie year. His 10-92-1 game in Week 16 was his third game in a row with 10+ targets and seventh on the season. He is 6 receptions away from breaking Anquan Boldin’s record for most receptions by a player in their rookie season (101).
Nashville’s Week 17 weather forecast should feature cloudy skies, 11 mph winds with gusts nearing 20 mph, a high of 39 with a wind chill of 32, and a 60% chance of a rain/snow mix that should be less than a tenth of an inch in accumulation.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 17: Frigid temperatures
While it is not something you will see on TV, the players will feel it. It can be just as impactful to your fantasy players in Week 17.
New York Giants at Chicago Bears (-6), O/U 37 | Sunday 1:00 PM
When kickoff nears, the Chicago area will just be coming out of a winter storm. They will have seen nearly 7″ of snow over the weekend, and the remnants of that system will bring wind and frigid temperatures. With a high of 21 degrees, 14 mph winds with 20+ mph gusts will push the wind chill into the single digits.
If it looks like the scoreboard is also frozen, don’t worry, it’s not just you. This game could be a struggle for these anemic offenses.
The Bears are trying to get through these last two games under Matt Nagy and will have Andy Dalton under center. As for the Giants, they have ruled out Kadarius Toney (shoulder), John Ross (knee/COVID-19 ramp up), and Collin Johnson (hamstring). WR Darius Slayton was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. And WRs Sterling Shepard, C.J. Board, and Dante Pettis are on IR. The only WR on the roster is Kenny Golladay. Good luck, Jake Fromm, and anyone who actively watches this game.
Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-13.5), O/U 46.5 | Sunday 8:15 PM
When John Facenda coined the phrase the “Frozen Tundra” when referencing Lambeau Field back in the 60s, he did so for days like this. And it almost seems fitting it takes place when the Minnesota Vikings are in town, but it will be anything but a warm welcome. The high will be 5 degrees. Yes, the high. Add in the clear skies and 6 mph winds, and it will actually feel like -7 degrees. That is so cold that by the time you buy your beer and brat and walk to your seats, the food is frozen, and your beer is one giant mug of ice — what a shame.
The storyline of this game is Kirk Cousins being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after famously/infamously making comments about the NFL’s protocols. Despite drafting Kellen Mond this year out of Texas A&M, Sean Mannion has been given the starting nod. Mannion last played in a regular-season game in 2019 when he started for Cousins in Week 17. Justin Jefferson plummets from a top-three WR to a mid-WR2.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 17: Chances of precipitation
While these games will likely remain clear for most of the game, we could see periods of precipitation. I would not make start/sit decisions based on these forecasts, but they are worth noting.
Kansas City Chiefs (-4) at Cincinnati Bengals, O/U 51 | Sunday 1:00 PM
This might be my favorite game of the entire slate. The Chiefs are back to being the team we knew they could be all season, and the Bengals are a team with a future as bright as anyone in the AFC. Joe Burrow just casually threw for 525 yards last week, and while I do expect points, I don’t see him coming anywhere near duplicating this performance. With that said, the Bengals offense has a top-eight QB, two top-12 receivers, and a top-eight running back. How many other teams can boast this drafting for 2022?
As for the Week 17 weather in Cincinnati, expect 36-degree temperatures that will feel closer to 29, cloudy skies, 8 mph winds, and a 40% chance of light precipitation.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13) at New York Jets, O/U 45 | Sunday 1:00 PM
“I think he’s a lead back,” Bucs head coach Bruce Arians said. “He has great running skills, excellent jump-cut ability, and he’s worked on his hands. His hands are better. I think he’s a lead dog.”
You might believe he was speaking of Ronald Jones, who took over following the injury of Leonard Fournette. Jones recorded 32 touches for 152 yards and a TD in his last two games. You would also be wrong.
He was speaking about Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who many fantasy managers had written off for dead in terms of fantasy value. Vaughn had 70 yards on 7 carries, including a 55-yard TD last week. He is a high-end RB4, but someone fantasy managers need to remember. Both Fournette and Jones are free agents at the end of this season.
East Rutherford’s Week 17 weather forecast should feature cloudy skies, 9 mph winds, highs near 54 degrees, and a 40% chance of rain.
Los Angeles Rams (-5) at Baltimore Ravens, O/U 46.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM
We are all witnessing history. Cooper Kupp needs just 231 more yards to break the record of 1,964 yards in one season set by Calvin Johnson back in 2012. He is the receiver everyone in the modern era is compared against. Granted, Johnson did it in 16 games, and it might take Kupp 17. But honestly, it’s still special. The fact both recorded it with Matthew Stafford as the QB makes this whole story even better.
As for the weather forecast in Baltimore, expect cloudy skies, 10 mph winds, 61-degree temperatures, and a 40% chance of rain.
Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (-16), O/U 41.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM
There is something about a player who will get all of the opportunities. That is Dare Ogunbowale in Week 17.
After James Robinson tore his Achilles, Ogunbowale stepped up. He rushed 17 times for 57 yards and a TD in Week 16 while adding 2 catches for 15 yards, finishing as the RB15 in PPR scoring (15.2 PPR). However, I don’t expect the same success. The volume will be there, but the Jets are the 31st-ranked team against RBs. The Patriots, their Week 17 opponent, are a better defense and rank No. 15 in points allowed over the last four games. Ogunbowale is a high-end RB3 but carries a ton of risk.
Expect 49 degrees, 6 mph winds, overcast skies, and a 40% chance of rain in Foxborough for Week 17.
Philadelphia Eagles (-4.5) at Washington Football Team, O/U 44.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM
With Antonio Gibson out after being placed on the COVID-19/reserve list, Washington will rely on Jaret Patterson and Jonathan Williams. Stay away from either back for fantasy, as the floor is far too low. The sad thing? I can almost say the same thing about Terry McLaurin, who I labeled as a sit earlier in the week, paining me to do so.
Over his last four games, McLaurin has 8 receptions and 113 yards combined. He has over 60 yards or a TD just once since Week 7. In his last five contests, he has been held under 51 yards in every game. When Washington faced off against Philadelphia in Week 15, McLaurin caught 2 passes for 15 yards.
As for the Week 17 weather in Washington, expect 63 degrees, overcast sunny skies, 8 mph winds, and a 40% chance of rain.
NFL Weather Report and Forecast for Week 17: Worry-free weather
The clear weather forecast is a welcome sight for fantasy managers. With that said, there is a 100% chance of chaos.
Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers (-12), O/U 44 | Sunday 4:05 PM
I am all-in on Trey Lance. Back in the winter, I said he had the highest ceiling of any QB in the class. I still believe so, and in the few glimpses we have got this season, he has all the making of a fantasy superstar.
In Week 4, Lance scored 20.4 fantasy points on the back of 157 passing yards and 2 TDs plus 41 yards on 7 carries. He did all of that in just a single half. Then, in Week 5, against an Arizona Cardinals team that was on fire at the time, he threw for just 192 yards but rushed 16 times for 89 yards. 2022 could be the year where Lance pulls off his best impression of Lamar Jackson’s 2019 MVP season. He could literally be that good and the fantasy MVP. I’m saving this receipt since that’s the fashionable thing to do anymore.
San Francisco’s Week 17 weather forecast should feature mostly sunny skies, 4 mph winds, and highs near 52 degrees.
Cleveland Browns (-3.5) at Pittsburgh Steelers, O/U 41 | Monday 8:15 PM
I’ll be honest, I am not looking forward to this game. It’s the ending of an era as Ben Roethlisberger plays in his final home game at Heinz Field. As a Steelers fan, all you can do is tip your hat and thank No. 7 for all the years and what he went through. For a non-native to the area, Iron City Beer flows through his veins more so than any Yinzer could have dreamed of when they drafted this young kid out of Miami of Ohio back in 2004. Roethlisberger has never lost to the Browns at home, and this team won’t let it happen now. Renegade will never have been louder than it will be on Monday night.
As for the weather forecast in Pittsburgh, expect clear skies, 5 mph winds, and 27 degrees at kickoff.
Week 17 indoor games
The teams below will play in optimal conditions, and there will be no effect on the passing and kicking games. This helps to eliminate at least one variable fantasy managers need to consider each week.
- Las Vegas Raiders at Indianapolis Colts (-7)
O/U 44.5 | Sunday 1:00 PM ET - Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5)
O/U 46 | Sunday 4:05 PM ET - Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (-6.5)
O/U 52 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET - Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)
O/U 37.5 | Sunday 4:25 PM ET