Bitter Cold, Even Subzero Wind Chills To Impact NFL Games This Weekend

Weather Impacts For Fantasy Football Playoff Matchups

It's all about bitter cold and wind in the Midwest and Northeast as Week 15 of the NFL season kicks off Sunday.

The NFL is no stranger to cold-weather games. Players dress in extra layers on the field. And on the sidelines, they have access to heavy jackets, heated bleachers, portable sideline heaters.

Let's start with the coldest game this Sunday.

Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET)

Chicago can’t seem to catch a break. The Windy City has seen its snowiest start to the winter season since 1978.

If there is one break in this week's game at Soldier Field, at least it won't be snowing.

However, temperatures are forecast to be 5 to 10 degrees colder than last Sunday's game in Green Bay. They'll be lucky to see the low teens for highs Sunday afternoon along the lakefront.

If that wasn't enough, brisk northwest winds will lead to subzero wind chills, possibly as low as the teens below zero to start the game.

While the players will have some protection from the cold mentioned above, that's not the case for fans. If you're headed to this game, wear multiple layers, cover exposed skin and visit the concourse occasionally to warm up.

Potential fantasy impact: Both the Browns and Bears played in bitter cold last weekend, and each team moved the ball well, so I wouldn't have any reservations starting any Bears offensive players. The wind may make it tough on these young QBs completing longer passes, so you may want to keep your expectations of both Shedeur Sanders and Caleb Williams in check. And each team may prefer to go for more fourth downs, rather than trying longer field goals, given the wind. That may cut into kickers Andre Szmyt and Cairo Santos a bit.

(FULL FORECAST: Chicago, Illinois)

Baltimore Ravens At Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET)

It won't be much warmer in the Ohio Valley, Sunday.

Low to mid-teens are about as good as it will get when the Bengals host the Ravens in a battle of bitter AFC North rivals, clinging to playoff hopes.

And, yes, brisk northwest winds will lead to subzero wind chills at Paycor Stadium. So, again, bundle up if you're headed to this one.

Potential fantasy impact: We just saw Joe Burrow drive the Bengals offense with amazing precision in a snow globe in Buffalo last Sunday, except for the two interceptions. So, no need to worry about starting any Bengals wide receivers or tight ends. But this cold and wind is the last thing Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson needs as he's dealing with knee, ankle and toe injuries. Like Chicago, you may also want to beware of each of the reliable kickers in this game, given the wind and cold.

(FULL FORECAST: Cincinnati, Ohio)

Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. ET)

Strictly from a weather perspective, it would seem the host Chiefs would have a huge advantage in this important AFC West clash with the warm-weather, climate-controlled Chargers.

Potential fantasy impact: After gutting through a grueling Monday night game at home playing with a broken left hand, this cold may be yet another challenge for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. Given that, it's still hard to be excited to start any Chargers offensive players except the running back tandem of Kimani Vidal and Omarion Hampton. Then again, the Chiefs offense has been in a funk, dropping passes left and right in a loss last Sunday night. Perhaps if you're desperate, either of the defenses may be a start on your team this week.

(FULL FORECAST: Kansas City, Missouri)

Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (1 p.m. ET)

Sunday's biggest game is this AFC East showdown in Foxborough. The Bills need a win to have any chance at catching the Patriots for the division title, one of the AFC's top seeds, and to host at least one playoff game.

Low pressure is forecast to be off the East Coast. When you hear that, you may think "nor'easter".

But this low is forecast to be fairly weak. That means while there still will be winds and colder air moving in, the snow should be light.

And the majority of that snow should fall before the game, though we can't rule out a few lingering flakes or drops early in the game.

It won't be nearly as cold as the other games we talked about, but winds will be brisk.

Potential fantasy impact: Again, given last week's snowpalooza in Buffalo, any lingering flakes early in the game will be shrugged off by the Bills. And any winds won't matter to Buffalo's second-ranked rushing attack. We'll see how the Patriots' second-best passing offense is able to cut through that wind. All in all, I wouldn't hesitate starting anybody on your fantasy team, as these wintry conditions are pretty "par for the course" for what each team is used to.

(FULL FORECAST: Foxborough, MA)

Other Cold Games

Washington Commanders at New York Giants

Las Vegas Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles

Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (Monday night)

Most of the games look dry with the exception of Seattle, where just a few showers are possible as the Seahawks host the Indianapolis Colts. At least it won't be cold, there.

(MORE: Top Ten NFL Weather Impacted Games)

Jonathan Erdman is a senior meteorologist at weather.com and has been covering national and international weather since 1996. Extreme and bizarre weather are his favorite topics. Reach out to him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

Tiffany Savona is a meteorologist for weather.com with more than 15 years of experience in forecasting the weather across the country.