NFL Week 14: Fans to face treacherous travel home from snowy Buffalo
As players gear up this weekend with the playoffs in mind, NFL fans will want to bundle up in layers as Week 14 will feature some of the coldest football games so far this season.
Many games across the country will be played amid dry weather, but lake-effect snow is piling up in Buffalo, New York, with fans facing a treacherous drive home.
The Buffalo Bills warm-up in near white-out conditions before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
IndianapolisColts at Buffalo Bills - 1 p.m. EST
The AFC matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills at Orchard Park turned into a snow bowl as an intense band of lake-effect snow targeted western New York.
Thundersnow was also produced along the shore of Lake Erie.
Fans should prepare for difficult and dangerous travel conditions after the game as the lake-effect snow will persist. Motorists may encounter snow-covered roads and occasional whiteouts. This includes on Interstate 90.
Here is a look at the forecasts for the rest of Week 14 of the NFL season.
TennesseeTitans at Arizona Cardinals - 4:05 p.m. EST
The University of Phoenix Stadium roof could be open thanks to tranquil and dry weather in Glendale.
Fans tailgating before the Titans-Cardinals game will experience comfortable, but slightly cool conditions as temperatures rise from the upper 50s through the 60s.
Temperatures will settle in the mid-70s by kickoff, before rising into the upper 70s during the second half.
New York Jets at Denver Broncos - 4:05 p.m. EST
While Sunday's games in the Midwest and East remain chilly, it will be unseasonably warm at Mile High Stadium for the Jets and Broncos game.
Under bright sunshine, temperatures will be in the 50s to near 60 prior to the game and during the first half, before trailing off into the lower and middle 50s by the end of the game. While this won't be terribly chilly, fans may still want to take a light jacket or sweatshirt into the stadium. As the sun sets, fans facing the western sky will need a pair of sunglasses.
WashingtonRedskins at Los Angeles Chargers - 4:05 p.m. EST
While firefighters battle gusty winds in the surrounding mountains and canyons, sunshine and light winds will prevail at the StubHub Center as the Chargers play host to the Redskins.
Under sunshine, it will be comfortable in the 70s prior to the game, with a temperature of around 80 F expected at kickoff. Fans should stay hydrated and dress in loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.
Despite the destructive blazes burning in Southern California, air quality levels have generally be good to moderate around Los Angeles on Sunday morning and are not expected to worsen during the game.
The wind will be out of the east and northeast on Sunday, blowing in from an area where there are not any active fires.
SeattleSeahawks at Jacksonville Jaguars - 4:25 p.m. EST
It will be uncharacteristically chilly on Sunday evening for the game between the Seahawks and Jaguars.
The mercury will dipping from the 50s prior to the game into the 40s during the second half.
A west-northwest wind, generally at less than 10 mph, will make it feel even cooler, so fans should dress in layers, and may even want to consider donning hats and gloves by the end of the game.
PhiladelphiaEagles at Los Angeles Rams - 4:25 p.m. EST
The second game in the Los Angeles area will take place on Sunday afternoon when the Eagles and Rams face off at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Temperatures will be running about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year.
After rising through the 70s in the morning, it'll be about 80 F at kickoff with temperatures generally in the lower 80s during the game. The record high for Downtown Los Angeles is 87 F from 1950.
Similar to at the StubHub Center, the wind direction is not expected to spread smoke from the wildfires burning across Southern California to the Los Angeles Coliseum. Air quality should remain at good to moderate levels.
BaltimoreRavens at Pittsburgh Steelers - 8:30 p.m. EST
Rather cloudy and cold weather is expected for the big rivalry game between the Ravens and Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday night.
Both prior to and during the game, fans will need to dress warmly, in layers and with hats and gloves, as temperatures will fall from a daytime high in the middle and upper 30s to near the freezing mark at kickoff.
From there, temperatures should remain steady during the game. A brisk westerly wind will send RealFeels plunging into the 20s.
A few flurries will be around during the game, but it should not be enough to have any impact on field conditions.
New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins - Monday, 8:30 p.m. EST
The weather will be dry and cool on Monday night as the Dolphins host the Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium.
Following a nice sunny day with temperatures near 70 F, it will cool off to the upper 50s by kickoff.
By the end of the game, the mercury may dip into the mid-50s. While mild by December football standards, AccuWeather meteorologists say this is below normal for South Florida, so fans will want to bring a light jacket or sweatshirt into the stadium, especially considering that the game will be played after the warm sun sets.
