Weekend Weather: Weather: Week 12 Forecasts
Winter Storm Cara will have an impact on the weather around the country this weekend, leaving precarious conditions in a numerous cities hosting Week 12 NFL games. Cara is primarily bringing rain over the middle of the country during the start of the weekend, followed by freezing temperatures and more intense winter conditions. This front will move East throughout the weekend, spreading the wet and cold weather further toward the Atlantic. Frigid temperature and precipitation will be found in multiple locations where NFL games are to be played on Sunday, so be sure to bundle up and pack extra gloves as we spin through Week 12 weather forecasts around the country.
Wet Weather Watch
The first stage of Winter Storm Cara brings heavy precipitation, and that is what will impact the following four cities on Sunday and Monday as NFL games get underway.
Buffalo at Kansas City (1:00 PM ET): The surging Kansas City defense will face Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday with wet weather expected at Arrowhead Stadium. Temperatures will be around 40 degrees during this game, with clouds and a 40 percent chance of rain in the forecast. The likelihood of rain increases throughout the day on Sunday in Kansas City, so this game is nearly assured to be soggy. Wind won’t be much of an issue and temperatures will remain above freezing, so perhaps a slight bump should be given to both running games in this matchup but all fantasy options should be good to go as usual.
Oakland at Tennessee (1:00 PM ET): Rain moving toward the East coast will be present over Tennessee on Sunday when the Oakland Raiders visit. Temperatures will be reasonable for late November at 60 degrees, but an 80 percent chance of rain is expected on Sunday while young quarterbacks Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota face off. Again, no major changes need to be made to the fantasy options in this game, as temperatures will be moderate and wind will be minimal.
New York Giants at Washington (1:00 PM ET): The chance of rain in Washington on Sunday is lower than the other games in this section, but precipitation is still a possibility at FedEx Filed on Sunday. Rain is expected on Sunday morning, but cloudy skies will clear on Sunday afternoon for the most part, leaving just a chance of rain during this NFC East matchup. No serious wind worries or temperature issues are present with this matchup, so simply keep in mind that the field could be soggy at kickoff.
Baltimore at Cleveland (8:30 PM ET, Mon): Monday will see sunshine in Cleveland, but rain showers are in the forecast for Monday night as the Ravens and Browns play in prime time. Temperatures won’t get too chilly at 44 degrees, but winds at 15 mph combined with an 80 percent chance of precipitation make for tricky conditions. Both Justin Tucker and Travis Coons can be replaced for safer kicker options, while Josh McCown and Matt Schaub can be safely downgraded as well, although neither were stellar Week 12 options to begin with.
Winter Weather Watch
The aftermath of Winter Storm Cara will leave frigid temperatures over the middle part of the United States this weekend, which will lead to snow and ice in many major cities, including Denver.
New England at Denver (8:30 PM ET): The undefeated Patriots will roll into Denver on Sunday night with extremely cold temperatures in the forecast and a 60 percent of snow during this Sunday night matchup. Temperatures are expected to dip to 15 degrees once night falls in Denver, which is generally tough on NFL passing games. Unless a fantasy roster is equipped with a second quality quarterback option, Tom Brady is likely going to still be a starting option despite the freezing temperatures and his lack of receiving weapons. Other passing game staples like Demaryius Thomas and Rob Gronkowski will still need to be started as well, but all borderline fantasy options can be downgraded, with extra emphasis placed on the running attack of both teams.
Worry-Free Weather
No major weather worries are forecasted for the following Week 12 games.
St. Louis at Cincinnati (1:00 PM ET): Rain showers will soak Cincinnati on Saturday and pick back up again on Monday, but the forecast for Sunday projects dry weather. The St. Louis Rams will be welcomed to Cincinnati with cloudy skies and 49 degree temperatures, while winds hover near a manageable eight mph. There is the possibility of rain returning at some point toward the end of this game, but the forecast looks reasonable for the most part.
San Diego at Jacksonville (1:00 PM ET): The San Diego Chargers will feel at home in Jacksonville on Sunday, as sunny skies and 78 degree temperatures will be waiting for Philip Rivers and company as they travel from the West coast. There is no chance of precipitation or significant wind during this game, so all Chargers and Jaguars fantasy options can be safely started as normal.
Miami at New York Jets (1:00 PM ET): Showers will be found near MetLife Stadium on Saturday night, but are expected to move from the area by Sunday morning, leaving dry conditions for this AFC East battle between the Dolphins and Jets. Temperatures of 52 degrees and partly cloudy skies will be found in New York on Sunday, with winds of just seven mph. The fantasy options in this game should see no drastic impact from Mother Nature.
Arizona at San Francisco (4:05 PM ET): The NFC West leading Arizona Cardinals will travel to San Francisco on Sunday where they will find sunshine and 59 degree temperatures in the Bay Area. No precipitation or notable wind is expected for this game, so no major fantasy roster adjustments are required.
Pittsburgh at Seattle (4:25 PM ET): Crisp temperatures will be present at CenturyLink Field on Sunday, but skies will be sunny when the Seahawks face the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. No significant wind will visit this game and a dry Pacific Northwest weekend will continue through Sunday night. All Seahawks and Steelers can be started as normal.
Home Teams Are Dome Teams
Three Week 12 games will be played in domes or stadiums with retractable roofs, including a significant game in the NFC playoff race between Atlanta and Minnesota.
Tampa Bay at Indianapolis (1:00 PM ET)
New Orleans at Houston (1:00 PM ET)
Minnesota at Atlanta (1:00 PM ET)
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