NFL Weather Week 16: Rain, wind in forecast could affect fantasy start-sit decisions

Matt Lutovsky

NFL Weather Week 16: Rain, wind in forecast could affect fantasy start-sit decisions image

Debilitating cold, wind, rain, and snow are all possibilities this time of year, but the Week 16 NFL weather forecast is about as mild as gets at this point in the season. Fortunately, RotoGrinders' meteorologist Kevin Roth is back to help us break down all the key weather updates before fantasy owners lock in their start 'em, sit 'em decisions.

Before we get into the Week 16 forecasts, here's a reminder that if you have any questions about sports weather or how weather could impact play (and, potentially, your fantasy, DFS, and gambling decisions), don't hesitate to reach out to RotoGrinders' meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) or check out the 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 impacted historical scoring.

Note: If a game isn't mentioned below, it's because it doesn't even have 10-mph winds or a 20-percent chance of precipitation in the forecast.

WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

NFL weather forecast and updates Week 16

Forecasts courtesy of Kevin Roth at RotoGrinders

Bengals @ Steelers. There's a decent chance of light-ish rain for this game, but with relatively light winds and temps in the upper-40s, we're not concerned about any of the "must-start" players in either passing or kicking game (not that there are many).

Seahawks @ Titans. There could be some stray showers and light winds (10 mph), so nothing these teams can't play through.

WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Cardinals @ Bears. With temps in the low-50s, a 25-percent chance of rain, and winds in the 10-12-mph range, conditions won't be as ugly as owners of the Bears' D/ST hoped. Unless the forecast worsens, there's no real reason to worry about your players from this game.

RotoGrinders-Weather-Edge

Cowboys @ Dolphins. There's always a chance for a stray shower or two in Florida this time of year, but the main thing to watch is the wind. It's currently expected to be around 15 mph most of the game. That's more than manageable, but if the forecast worsens, it could make the kickers much riskier.

WEEK 16 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit

Patriots @ Broncos. This will be the coldest game of the week (around 30 degrees), and with a 40-percent chance of precipitation and winds around 10 mph, weather could affect the game. There aren't many players in either passing or kicking game to worry about, so for now, keep Courtland Sutton in your lineups and watch the forecast. (UPDATE: It looks like any potential snow will clear before the game, so weather doesn't figure to be much of a factor in this game.)

WEEK 16 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks

Raiders @ Chiefs. There's close to a 50-percent chance of rain and winds in the 12-15-mph range (with gusts over 20 mph), but unless the rain is expected to be steady and heavy -- which we won't know until closer to kickoff -- there's no reason to bench guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, or Davante Adams. Both kickers take on a little extra risk, though. (UPDATE: The latest models show most, if not all, of the rain clearing before kickoff.)

All of this is subject to change as we get closer to kickoff. You can follow meteorologist Kevin Roth on Twitter (@KevinRothWx) and check out the hourly NFL weather forecasts on RotoGrinders. For the best weather-related fantasy advice, take a look at WeatherEdge.

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.