In fantasy football, weather conditions during games can have a significant impact on player performance, especially in Week 17, when championship matchups are on the line. The weather report for this week highlights how various factors like temperature, precipitation, wind, and visibility can affect the outcome of games and, by extension, fantasy football decisions. This article uses the latest forecasts from AccuWeather to provide detailed insights for fantasy managers.
Some games are played in domed stadiums, ensuring no weather disruption. These include the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Rams, the Las Vegas Raiders at the New Orleans Saints, and the Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings. For these matchups, fantasy managers can expect predictable conditions and should feel confident starting players without worrying about weather impacts.
In contrast, several outdoor games feature only minimal weather concerns. For instance, the Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots game has a 40% chance of precipitation but mild winds and temperatures above freezing, so there shouldn’t be a significant weather impact. Similarly, the New York Jets at Buffalo Bills game might see some rain in the morning, but temperatures are expected to be warm, and winds will not pose a major threat.
However, there are a few games where severe weather could play a crucial role in shaping player performances. The Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles game is forecast to experience over an inch of rain, with heavy showers expected during the game, along with sustained winds of 14 mph and gusts up to 32 mph. This is likely to affect the deep passing game and kicking game, potentially giving running backs like Saquon Barkley a larger role. The Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants game will also face rainy conditions and winds up to 30 mph, making it another matchup where running backs, such as Jonathan Taylor, could dominate.
While most games have minimal weather concerns, fantasy managers should monitor severe weather conditions for any potential impacts on passing and kicking games, particularly for those with key players like quarterbacks or kickers.
