NFL Week 18 Weather Conditions (Fantasy Football)
Welcome to the last weather article of the season! Hopefully, you and your team found some success this season due to (in a small part) this article. It’s been a blast for me, thank you to the Fantasy Footballers and the editorial team for the opportunity. Now, looking ahead at Week 18, it’s going to be a very interesting weekend. We’ve got several high-stakes games that will face some impacts. So read ahead, and best of luck this week! See you all next September!
Buckle up, it’s Week 18 time, baby!
Saturday Games
Carolina Panthers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LOW impact. There is a small chance of rain, around 20%, starting right after kickoff. Most of these rain showers will be fairly light, so even if they pass over the stadium, I’m not expecting any significant issues. Winds will be in the high single-digits with an occasional gust into the mid-teens. Finally, there is a small chance of thunderstorms as well. However, as we’ve seen throughout the season, if we get a thunderstorm, it will cause a delay in the game and no real impact on the players. Roll with your usual players in this high-stakes game!
Seattle Seahawks @ San Francisco 49ers
HIGH impact. It’s shaping up to be a little messy Saturday night for the game. Rain will be fairly persistent throughout the game, with heavy rain at times. Additionally, the winds will be sustained in the low-teens with gusts into the low-20s. Game time temperatures will be in the mid-50s. So what do we do? Well, I don’t believe in benching your studs in bad-weather games. So CMC and JSN would still be auto-starts. If you were looking to flex to other players, you will want to look elsewhere.
Sunday Early Afternoon Games
Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
LOW impact. Clear skies, no rain or snow, light winds, and temperatures in the high-30s. You can’t ask for much better weather. Start all your studs. Let’s give the state of Ohio the coveted “GOOD WEATHER GAME OF THE WEEK”.
Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
LOW impact. A beautiful afternoon awaits us for this game. Partly sunny skies, light winds, and temperatures in the mid-30s. Aside from the cooler temperatures, it’ll be smooth sailing for all players.
Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars
LOW impact. Wrapping up our morning slate of games with another great game. Partly sunny, temperatures in the low-60s, and light winds. Start all your usual players.
Sunday Late Afternoon Games
MEDIUM impact. For Buffalo in January, this is actually a pretty decent day. I’m not seeing any snow, and the winds will be in the high single digits. Marking this as MEDIUM due to the temperature. Expect temps around the mid-20s, which, when combined with the winds, result in a wind-chill in the mid-teens. Obviously, I don’t know what the Bills plan is for their starters, but if they don’t need to trot out their starters all game in those conditions, I wouldn’t blame them.
LOW impact. Watch the temperatures in this game. There won’t be any snow, and the winds will be light, which is good. However, at kickoff, the temps will be in the low-30s with a wind chill in the low-20s. Both these teams have played in these conditions before, so it won’t be anything new. But those temps will take a toll on the players.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Denver Broncos
LOW impact. Clear skies, no rain or snow, and temperatures in the upper-50s. All good things! The winds will be a little stronger, with sustained speeds in the high single digits with gusts into the upper-teens. No reason to bench anyone, just be aware.
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
MEDIUM impact. There will be some snow earlier in the day, but expect that to clear out before kickoff. During the game, mostly cloudy skies and light winds throughout the game. It’ll be a little cold with temperatures in the upper-20s and a wind chill in the mid-teens.
Washington Commanders @ Philadelphia Eagles
MEDIUM impact. It’ll be pretty nice in Philly throughout the game. No rain or snow expected, with mostly clear skies, and winds in the high single digits. I’m marking it as MEDIUM due to the temperatures. Game time temps will be in the low-30s with wind chill in the low-20s. Don’t make any drastic lineup changes based on the temperatures; they should all be used to it by now.
Sunday Night Game
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
MEDIUM impact. Just like a lot of games this week, this game will be impacted by the temperature. Kick-off temperatures will be in the low-20s (light winds mean no crazy wind chill temp). Outside of the cold, no other issues. Start all your usual players as they will have a lot to play for.
Best of luck to your team in the week ahead!