Week 1 Sunday is supposed to be the first full football feast of the season, but the weather may have other ideas for three NFL matchups.
The Bengals-Buccaneers game, Steelers-Falcons game, and Jaguars-Browns game are all on the list of contests that could get hit by rough conditions. Forecasters are calling for heavy rain and thunderstorms to threaten the Jacksonville-Cleveland matchup, which also carries a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cincinnati and Tampa Bay have only a slight chance of thunderstorms during their game, and Pittsburgh and Atlanta are in a similar spot.
That kind of setup is exactly why weather watchers are paying close attention. In a post tied to the day’s slate, Weatherstem noted that “It's Week 1 of the NFL and just like with College Football, Weatherstem provides hyper-local monitoring for NFL games.
Today, the Jaguars take on the Bengals where storms are possible. Officials will use Weatherstem's Practical Lightning Assistant to track any lightning threats.… pic.twitter.com/NYGXrgIQE0”
September is known for bringing strong storms in parts of the country, especially in southern states where thunderstorms can show up often this time of year. For fans heading to those games, the message is simple: keep checking local weather updates as the day goes on.
The National Weather Service says people should stay alert when severe thunderstorms are moving in. Fans should listen to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for watches and warnings.
If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued, the advice is to move to a secure location right away. Stay away from windows and avoid large open rooms like gyms and cafeterias.
For anyone caught outside, the safest move is to get into a sturdy building as quickly as possible. Trees are not a safe shelter, since lightning can strike them and strong winds can bring them down.
Drivers should use caution too. A vehicle is safer than standing outside, but if there’s time, the best option is still to reach a secure shelter.
Week 1 is barely underway, and Sunday adds another layer to the opening weekend: not just the matchup on the field, but the sky above it.
In Other News...
Brian Thomas Jr. Just Put Jacksonvilles Biggest Passing Game Concern Back In Focus
Brian Thomas Jr. briefly sent a ripple through the Jaguars opener when he went down with a shoulder injury in the first quarter against the Browns and was first listed as questionable to return. He made his way back to the sideline and then re-entered the game in the second quarter, which offered an immediate sense of relief for a team counting on him to be a major part of the passing attack this season.
The episode still brought back the questions that followed him through training camp, where the shoulder issue had already been part of the background. For Jacksonville, that is the kind of scare that matters beyond one series or one game, because Thomas is expected to be one of the key pieces in a passing game that cannot afford many more reminders of how fragile its early-season outlook can be. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Defense Flipped Deshaun Watsons Return In Just One Drive
Deshaun Watsons return to a regular-season game came with plenty of buildup, but Jacksonville wasted no time turning the opener into a test. On Clevelands first drive, Watson threw an interception on his first regular-season snap in nearly two years, and Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun brought it back to set up a touchdown for Jacksonville.
Watson had won the Browns Week 1 job after a full-camp competition, and the game marked his first regular-season start since October 2024. For the Jaguars, it was the kind of fast start that can reshape an opener in an instant, especially when the defense is the one delivering the early jolt. [Read more 🡒]
Trevor Lawrence Has Jaguars Fans Feeling Very Good About Week 1
Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars came out of the gate looking every bit like a team eager to set the tone in Week 1. By halftime against Cleveland, Jacksonville had built a 24-0 lead, with Lawrence guiding an offense that looked sharp while the Browns sputtered on the other side. It was the kind of opening half that leaves fans with a very different feeling than the one they brought into kickoff.
The contrast at quarterback was a big part of it, as Deshaun Watson struggled to keep Cleveland afloat while Lawrence helped Jacksonville stay in control. The Jaguars also got encouraging signs elsewhere, with Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez sharing the workload in the backfield and Parker Washington emerging as the teams leading receiver before a teammates injury changed the picture. For a team trying to build early momentum, it was about as clean a first-half snapshot as they could have asked for. [Read more 🡒]