2017 NFL Week 8 Weather Conditions
This is the sort of week that makes me as giddy as a punter on 4th down. A huge storm system will make it’s presence known Sunday afternoon up and down the east coast. Most of the games won’t be as bad as some people think for fantasy, but there are definitely some games to be concerned about.
Editor’s Note: Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright will be on Periscope one hour before main kickoff to answer Week 8 questions!
Sunday, October 29, 2017:
Minnesota Vikings ‘at’ Cleveland Browns
9:30 AM ET
TWICKENHAM STADIUM
TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND
Temp: 54°
Precipitation: None
Wind: 10 mph
Wind Gusts: 15 mph
Fantasy Impact: None
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1:00 PM ET
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM
TAMPA, FLORIDA
Temp: 66°
Precipitation: None
Wind: 23 mph
Wind Gusts: 26 mph
Fantasy Impact: It will be nice and sunny, but a stiff breeze could definitely influence this game. Cam Newton has looked iffy this season, but he does have a strong arm. He shouldn’t have a problem with short-intermediate throws even with the winds. The Carolina offense has used short passes to Christian McCaffrey to bolster a weak rushing attack. Expect more of the same especially if the winds are high.
Jameis Winston is dealing with an injury, but Carolina is a tough team to run against. Between the injury and the wind, I would expect Winston to shift some deep targets normally reserved for DeSean Jackson to Mike Evans, Cameron Brate, and OJ Howard.
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
1:00 PM ET
PAUL BROWN STADIUM
CINCINNATI, OHIO
Temp: 43°
Precipitation: None
Wind: 8 mph
Wind Gusts: 12 mph
Fantasy Impact: None
Oakland Raiders at Buffalo Bills
1:00 PM ET
NEW ERA FIELD
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK
Temp: 45°
Precipitation: Drizzle Possible
Wind: 8 mph
Wind Gusts: 10 mph
Fantasy Impact: None
Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets
1:00 PM ET
METLIFE STADIUM
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY
Temp: 64°
Precipitation: Rain
Wind: 17 mph
Wind Gusts: 32 mph
Fantasy Impact: This game might look pretty sloppy. If the winds and rain are as bad as forecasted, both of these offenses are going to have to lean on their RBs. The New York Jets offense hasn’t been great, but they haven’t been horrible either with Josh McCown running the show. He’s been able to make up for a depleted WR corps with frequent targets to Austin Seferian-Jenkins and whichever RB has been healthy. Luckily, it looks like both Matt Forte and Bilal Powell will be in the lineup and healthy. They’ll steal touches from each other, but both will be flex worthy. I wouldn’t trust anyone outside from Jenkins, Forte, and Powell although McCown could be a risky spot start for a QB needy team.
We’re all expecting the real Atlanta offense to show up at some point, which makes this weather really disappointing in what could have been yet another ‘get-right’ game. The rain and wind should force Atlanta to be creative with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, which might be a good thing for them. If Atlanta can move the ball through their RBs, Julio Jones could be in line for some more looks in the red zone. Who knew good things happen when you target him in the endzone like last week’s garbage time TD where Jones stole the ball out of a defenders hands? Matt Ryan…meh. Tough to rely on him, but the talent on that offense makes him impossible to count out even on the road in lousy weather.
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
1:00 PM ET
GILLETTE STADIUM
FOXBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
Temp: 66°
Precipitation: Rain
Wind: 12 mph
Wind Gusts: 24 mph
Fantasy Impact: The weather forecasts for this game have different timelines, but ‘bad’ seems like a best case scenario. Luckily it’s a 1:00 game because the weather will get worse through the day. Tom Brady is still getting it done, but his deep throws have looked awful at times. Gronk and Chris Hogan should be fine, but Brandin Cooks may not get those deep targets that we love for DFS. Don’t get tricky with New England because of this weather. If you have one of those studs on your team, you play them.
Philip Rivers has struggled so far this year, but he’ll need to get it going to have any chance on the road against an awful New England secondary. Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry are in great spots despite the weather. If things get really sloppy, it might actually help Melvin Gordon who has struggled running the ball at times this year. Expect him to see around 20 rushes and 5 receptions. Tyrell Williams is a player to completely avoid despite the juicy matchup.
San Francisco 49ers at Philadelphia Eagles
1:00 PM ET
LINCOLN FINANCIAL FIELD
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Temp: 66°
Precipitation: Rain
Wind: 8 mph
Wind Gusts: 20 mph
Fantasy Impact: The weather is going to be nasty for this game, but the unbalanced matchup will be by far the biggest factor. Philadelphia should be able to move the ball at will while San Francisco’s offense will struggle against a very good Eagles defense. This is a smash spot for LeGarrette Blount, but I’m not sure Carson Wentz will be needed for very long. Carlos Hyde should be heavily involved as a receiving option making him the only 49er I trust this week.
Houston Texans at Seattle Seahawks
4:05 PM ET
CENTURYLINK STADIUM
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Temp: 63°
Precipitation: None
Wind: 7 mph
Wind Gusts: 12 mph
Fantasy Impact: None
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
4:25 PM ET
FEDEX FIELD
LANDOVER, MARYLAND
Temp: 48°
Precipitation: Rain
Wind: 14 mph
Wind Gusts: 20 mph
Fantasy Impact: The rain could get heavy at times for this game, but it won’t affect how this game will be played. We know Dallas is going to move the ball with a heavy workload for Ezekiel Elliott. Dak Prescott will do enough to move the chains and can end up with a monster game if Kirk Cousins keeps the Washington offense moving.
Cousins has done very well spreading the ball around, but that makes it difficult to predict a huge game from any of his WRs. Chris Thompson should see enough targets out of the backfield to give him a nice floor and high ceiling. Jordan Reed appears to be back and relatively healthy so it’s Rule 86 time.
Monday, October 30, 2017:
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
8:30 PM ET
ARROWHEAD STADIUM
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
Temp: 46°
Precipitation: None
Wind: 9 mph
Wind Gusts: 20 mph
Fantasy Impact: None
Editor’s Note: Mike “The Fantasy Hitman” Wright will be on Periscope one hour before main kickoff to answer Week 8 questions!