There aren't a lot of injury questions this morning, and with six teams on byes, there aren't quite as many lineup decisions as usual -- a lot of teams have to get by with lesser players who are at least on teams that are playing. But weather looks like it will have an impact on some games.
Most importantly, there will be rain and potentially high winds in the Chargers-Patriots, Falcons-Jets, 49ers-Eagles and Cowboys-Washington games. A quick spin through those with the help of weather.com.
Foxboro, Massachusetts: The hourly doesn't look terrible for this one, which starts at 1 p.m. Weather.com indicates showers around 12 noon, but maybe just clouds during the game -- with heavy rains and high winds coming later in the day. From 1-4 it's showing winds at 15-17 miles per hour; it's later in the evening when winds could be at 24 miles per hour. The Chargers have been terrible against the run all season, so our initial expectation was that the Patriots would emphasize the run. Chargers may also attempt to run more, though the matchup isn't as good. Deep throws to the likes of Travis Benjamin might be less likely, and kickers could be affected.
New York/New Jersey: Weather is going to start a little earlier here. Weather.com indicates heavy rain and winds of 20 miles per hour by 2 p.m. We were already kind of cool on Matt Ryan, and this looks like further negative. Both teams could work the run a little more, or maybe short passes to running backs (which is a big part of both Falcons and Jets offenses anyway).
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Rain and showers throughout the day. Winds at 15-17 miles per hour. Looks like the worst of the rain will be tonight, after the 1 p.m. game has concluded, though it will be a factor. Eagles are very tough to run on, so I think San Francisco will need to pass the ball anyway -- short throws perhaps to Garcon, Kittle, Hyde. Eagles could pass it more to running backs or try shorter throws to Ertz and Agholor. Downfield passing could be tricky, field goals too.
Washington, D.C.: This game starts at 4:25 p.m. Looks like rain throughout, but the higher winds will be later in the evening -- perhaps after the game is complete. Winds 13 miles per hour during the game, but up to 20 miles per hour by 7 p.m.; so affecting the end of the game. Maybe more running, and we're high on Ezekiel Elliott anyway. Washington will try to work the run a little more, probably, with Rob Kelley the main back and Chris Thompson on passing downs.
--Andy Richardson