NFL Week 1 Weather Conditions (Fantasy Football)
It’s rare when weather has a major impact on an NFL game. In reality, the week-to-week weather is fairly mundane with minimal on-the-field impacts, but that doesn’t mean it is something you should overlook when you are trying to get every advantage over your opponents. Weather is another variable amongst others that all go into the fantasy calculus of who to start.
All season long, this article will help you figure out exactly how much to consider the weather in your decisions. Using a low, medium, or high scale, hopefully, it will help lead you and your team to the promised land! Let’s go! (As a side note – games in domes are always rated “Low”).
Early Afternoon Games
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns
LOW impact. Winds will be in the high single digits gusting to the low teens. High temp of 74°. There is a very small chance of rain showers, but I don’t expect it to impact play.
San Francisco 49ers @ Pittsburgh Steelers
LOW impact. Light winds, high in the low 70s. There’s a small possibility of rain, but it would not impact the game much.
Arizona Cardinals @ Washington Commanders
MEDIUM impact. I’m expecting some rain around D.C. for several hours prior to kickoff and for it to conclude early in the first quarter. It’s not looking like anything substantial, but it has the potential to create some issues early in the game. Potential thunderstorms throughout the area would also increase any impacts from the earlier rain. High temp in the mid-70s.
Houston Texans @ Baltimore Ravens
MEDIUM impact. Similarly to the game in D.C., we’ll have some morning rain showers leading into the kickoff in Baltimore but these rain showers are looking significantly weaker. However, we can’t rule out a stray shower or thunderstorm during the game. High temp in the mid-to-upper-70s.
Late Afternoon Games
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
LOW impact. High temp in the mid-70s, with winds in the single digits.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Denver Broncos
MEDIUM impact. There are going to be rain showers along with thunderstorms throughout the area. Expect sustained winds in the high single digits gusting up to the high teens. The worst-case scenario is that a thunderstorm moves over the stadium, but in that case, the NFL would likely delay the game until it moves. High in the low 70s.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New England Patriots
MEDIUM impact. Just like with our other East Coast games, due to earlier rain showers and some thunderstorms, I’m expecting some impact on the field. The rain will likely wrap up before halftime during the second quarter, but keep an eye out for moist conditions throughout the game. High temp in the mid-70s.
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
LOW impact. Winds in the high single digits, no rain, and clouds. A beautiful Pacific Northwest day! High temps in the low 70s.
Sunday Night Game
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
MEDIUM impact. Following the trend with the rest of our East Coast games this week, we’ll have rain for several hours prior to kickoff and then a high chance for rain showers during the game. There’s also potential for some thunderstorm development throughout the evening. Temps during the games in the high-60s/low-70s.
Monday Night Game
LOW impact. The good news is that the bulk of the rain that is causing the issues for Sunday’s games will largely be out of the area BUT still look for a stray shower in the evening along with higher humidity throughout the entire game. Winds will stay in the single digits with temps in the low-70s.
Weather is a dynamic thing and can change! Keep an eye on your local weather source leading up to kickoff to see if anything changes significantly. Good luck!