Bucs Face Another Big Variable In A Crucial NFC South Game

Stormy conditions threaten to disrupt key NFL matchups in Florida, including a crucial NFC South game.

Week 8’s Sunday slate brings plenty of football, but the weather may have a say in a few of the day’s biggest games, especially in Florida. The most concerning forecast sits in Tampa, where the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set for an NFC South showdown at Raymond James Stadium. Stormy conditions are expected there, with a 63 percent chance of rain and mild wind gusts at kickoff.

That’s not the only matchup in the Sunshine State that could get messy. The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots are also scheduled to play in Florida, and that game carries the strongest rain threat on the board.

Hard Rock Stadium is expected to see an 83 percent chance of rain with mild winds when the teams kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Jacksonville has a better outlook by comparison. The Jaguars’ meeting with the Indianapolis Colts at Everbank Stadium comes with only a 33 percent chance of rain, along with partly sunny skies and mild winds.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.

Elsewhere around the league, the weather looks far more manageable. Baltimore and Buffalo should get a clean setup for one of Sunday’s top games, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the upper 60s at Highmark Stadium. That AFC matchup carries major playoff implications, and Lamar Jackson is set to return for the Ravens, who will need their quarterback to produce big numbers.

The rest of the early window also appears favorable. Tennessee and Cincinnati are set for sunny conditions at Paycor Stadium, while the Raiders-Jets game at MetLife Stadium is also expected to stay mostly sunny. Cleveland and Pittsburgh should avoid trouble as well, with mostly sunny skies forecast for Acrisure Stadium.

A few dome and roofed venues remove weather from the equation entirely. The Cardinals and Cowboys will be indoors at AT&T Stadium, while Vikings-Lions will be played in Ford Field. The Chargers and Rams also get a controlled environment at SoFi Stadium.

Later in the day, Kansas City and Denver are looking at a mostly clear setup, with the Broncos hosting the Chiefs under sunny skies and only an 11 percent chance of rain. The Eagles and Commanders are scheduled for Sunday night at Northwest Stadium, though no weather details were listed for that game in the report.

The only Monday game on the slate has a chillier feel, with the Bears and Seahawks set for mostly cloudy conditions at Lumen Field and a kickoff temperature of 51 degrees.

Here’s the full Week 8 weather rundown for Sunday and Monday:

Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium: Mostly sunny, 67 degrees at kickoff.

Tennessee Titans vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, Paycor Stadium: Sunny conditions, 71 degrees at kickoff.

Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET, AT&T Stadium (roof): Indoors, 80 degrees outside at kickoff.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET, Ford Field (dome): Indoors, 60 degrees outside at kickoff.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, Everbank Stadium: Partly sunny with mild winds and 33 percent chance of rain, 76 degrees at kickoff.

Las Vegas Raiders vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium: Mostly sunny, 61 degrees at kickoff.

Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET, Acrisure Stadium: Mostly sunny, 66 degrees at kickoff.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium: Stormy conditions expected with 63 percent chance of rain and mild wind gusts, 80 degrees at kickoff.

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:05 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium (canopy): Mostly sunny with decent wind gusts, 69 degrees at kickoff.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m. ET, Empower Field at Mile High: Sunny with 11 percent chance of rain, 62 degrees at kickoff.

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m. ET, Hard Rock Stadium: Strongest chance of rain on the forecast with 83 percent and mild winds, 79 degrees at kickoff.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders, 8:20 p.m. ET, Northwest Stadium: no weather details listed.

Chicago Bears vs. Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET Monday, Lumen Field: Mostly cloudy, 51 degrees at kickoff.

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