Just in case you didn’t have enough on your plate during semifinals week — vacation trips, most NFL games on Saturdays, over-analyzing every fantasy start, sit-em decision — Mother Nature decided to add one more. The Week 16 NFL weather forecast calls for continued rain for Jaguars-Jets, snow and 40-mph gusts for Saints-Browns, stronger winds for Bills-Bears and freezing cold for several other games. RotoGrinders meteorologist Kevin Roth is here once again to help us break down the top weather updates you need to know before making your lineup decisions.
Before we dive into the week 16 predictions, we would like to remind you that if you have any questions about sports weather or how weather might affect play (and possibly your imagination, DFS and gambling decisions), you can contact RotoGrinders Meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) or check out hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. To take your game to the next level, subscribe to RotoGrinders exclusive WeatherEdge tool and see how different weather conditions have affected historical scoring.
If a game isn’t mentioned below, that’s because it doesn’t even have 10-mile winds or a 20 percent chance of precipitation in the forecast.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKING:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | table football
NFL week 16 weather forecast and updates
Forecasts courtesy of Kevin Roth at RotoGrinders
Jaguars @ Jets. It shouldn’t be overly cold, but there’s a good chance of steady rain throughout the game and winds of 10-15mph. That doesn’t help the passing games or kickers on either team, but we’d still start Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Garrett Wilson, and Trevor Lawrence. Everyone else is risky, including TEs. (To update: The rain will be heavy at times and gusts can reach 30 miles per hour. Don’t take unnecessary risks with receivers or kickers.)
Holy @ Browns. There might be some snow early, but the real concern is the constant 20+ mph winds. Gusts could reach up to 40mph, which would wipe out the kicking games and deep passing games. Amari Cooper is tough to sit down, but it might be smart if you’re in a hard-fought matchup. Ignore the QBs and kickers and give bumps to the RBs (and Taysom Hill) and D/STs.
WEEK 16 STANDARD LEADERBOARDS:
QB’s | RB’s | WRs | TEs | D/STs | table football
bills @ bears. The “felt” temperature for this game is expected to be -10 as wind gusts can reach up to 35mph. There could also be some snowfall. Luckily both QBs do a lot of damage on the ground so we’d stick with them, but the only pass catcher we’re even considering is Stefon Diggs.
WEEK 16 FANTASY Picks: Sleepers | busts | Start them, put them
Seahawks @ Chiefs. This is another sub-zero “perceived” game. There isn’t expected to be any precipitation and winds will only be around 10mph, but cold temperatures could slow offense. We’d still stick with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Geno Smith, DK Metcalf and even Marquise Goodwin with Tyler Lockett (finger) but check the prediction to make sure it doesn’t get any worse.
Bengal @ Patriots. Temperatures in the 20’s and winds around 10-15mph could slow the attacks but barring the forecast worsening you can stick with all your usual starters in this game.
WEEK 16 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | fan duel
Raiders @ Steelers. The forecast here is almost identical to that in New England. Again, as long as the prognosis doesn’t worsen, you can stick with your usual starters but continue to monitor that prognosis. (To update: It is said to be windier than originally expected in this game, with gusts approaching 30mph. Davante Adams is still a must and in 12-team leagues we’d still stick with Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. However, both should be considered a bit more boom-or-bust than usual.)
hawks @ ravens. Here’s another game with temperatures in the 20s and winds around 10-15mph and our advice is the same – unless the weather forecast worsens, play against whoever you normally would. It’s not ideal, but in a week like this it’s just part of the game. (To update: Winds are now said to be blowing to 25-30mph, further degrading the pass catchers. Given the clash, we’d still consider Drake London and Demarcus Robinson in deep leagues, but don’t take unnecessary risks with anyone other than Mark Andrews.)
WEEK 16 DFS: Best Scores | Best Stack
Packers @ Dolphins. Even Miami is not immune to potentially bad weather in December. Fortunately, with wind speeds around 16 km/h there is only a 30 percent chance of rain. All your usual appetizers should be good unless the prognosis worsens.
All of that may change as we get closer to kick-off. Follow Meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) and view hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. For the best weather-related fantasy tips, check out WeatherEdge.