As a native of California, year-round good weather has spoiled me. While we do get some rain and cold fronts—50-degree weather does qualify as cold—we don’t often get conditions on the West Coast where play could be impacted on the football field. With only two teams playing in outdoor home stadiums—Seattle and San Francisco—in the Pacific time zone, weather is hardly an issue. Unless the teams have to travel in December and January.

That’s what this article is seeking to accomplish: exploring where teams that play in domes and warm weather are playing during Weeks 15-17, otherwise known as the fantasy playoffs. Why is that important? Well, with apologies to my amigo Chris Allen, who does such wonderful work breaking down games that are impacted by weather (especially wind), I want to help identify teams that could have the advantage of playing in predictably perfect weather during the most important time in the fantasy calendar—save for the occasional Florida rain storm.

Why is that important? Well, let’s look at two examples. Drew Brees had four seasons with 5,000+ passing yards, all while playing his home games in the Superdome. Dan Marino’s groundbreaking 1984 season when he became the first 5,000-yard passer in NFL history featured the final six games played in great weather. Four games were in Miami, one in San Diego (stay classy) and the last one in a dome in Indianapolis. He threw for 1,990 yards and 19 TDs in those games. Thankfully he didn’t have to try to throw in freezing Buffalo any of those weeks.

Let’s take a look at some teams who might (and might not) have gotten an advantage from the schedule makers.

Join Our Newsletter

Trusted by 400,000+ fantasy football players. Get access to Fantasy Life's free award winning newsletter and tools, all in one step.

Email Address

Subscribe

By registering or logging in, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Fantasy Playoff Schedules for Weeks 15-17 for Dome and Warm-Weather Teams

Dallas Cowboys

• Week 15 AT Rams
• Week 16 Jaguars
• Week 17 Giants

The Cowboys are indoors all three weeks of the fantasy playoffs, with all three offenses having the ability to push them into shootouts. The Rams led the league in scoring with 518 points, with the Jaguars No. 6 at 474. Dallas was right behind at 471 points. Also, the Giants will have a full season of Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo should be back and healthy. Even with tepid offseason reports of Malik Nabers’ knee surgery recovery, by late December he’ll be almost 14 months past his October 2025 surgery.

Dak Prescott was particularly better indoors last season, passing for 3,050 yards and 20 TDs in 10 games under the lights. Even with the Rams and Jaguars working in the offseason to improve their secondaries, all three of these games have the potential to put a lot of points on the board.

Los Angeles Rams

• Week 15 Cowboys
• Week 16 AT Seahawks
• Week 17 AT Buccaneers

We already covered the Dallas game, which has been assigned an over/under of 53. The Christmas night game in Seattle may appear to be problematic, but Matthew Stafford went into Seattle in Week 16 last year and again in the NFC Championship Game and carved up the best defense in the NFL for 831 yards and 6 TDs. The Week 17 game in Tampa should also be fun, as the Buccaneers will look to push the Rams under the Florida sunshine (rain, rain, stay away!).

Los Angeles Chargers

• Week 15 49ers
• Week 16 AT Dolphins
• Week 17 Chiefs

Do you think Mike McDaniel is looking forward to running up the score on his former team when the Chargers travel to Miami in Week 16? Then there are the home dates against the 49ers and Chiefs, where Justin Herbert will more than likely have to put his foot on the pedal in both contests. K.C. will have a rebuilt secondary with quite a bit of game experience by then, but Herbert also has averaged 265.7 yards and 2 TDs in 11 games against the Chiefs in his career. Expect some Week 17 fireworks at SoFi Stadium.

Detroit Lions

• Week 15 AT Vikings
• Week 16 Giants
• Week 17 AT Bears

The Lions tied for fourth in the league at 481 points scored, so expect some points to be scored in the first two indoor affairs, especially the matchup with the Vikings that will be the second NFC North battle in a little more than a month. I’m torn on the trip to what should be frigid Chicago in the afternoon window on Jan. 3, 2027. On the one hand, this game has a 49-point over/under that looks plenty tasty, especially considering Caleb Williams and Jared Goff could have prolific games. On the other hand, memories of a Sunday night game in 2018 when Goff was playing for the Rams remain fresh. Vic Fangio isn’t dialing up plays for this Bears defense, so expect some points in this game. No matter what, Jahmyr Gibbs should feast in this game. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Week 15 Saints
• Week 16 AT Falcons
• Week 17 Rams

Two home games sandwiched around a dome date in Atlanta, the Buccos will most definitely have to push the ball in each of these contests. We covered the Rams above, so the two NFC South tilts should feature a low-key carnival game between Tyler Shough and Baker Mayfield. As long as Vita Vea is in a Buccaneers uniform, the defense will be tough against the run. That will make the matchup against Bijan Robinson a fun one. Look for Bijan to draw plenty of screens, especially if Tua Tagovailoa is behind center.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Week 15 AT Texans
• Week 16 AT Cowboys
• Week 17 Commanders

One of the most impressive victories of the 2025 season was the Jaguars’ 34-20 demolition of the Broncos at Mile High. Few were giving Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars much of a chance against the staunch Denver D. All he did was throw for 279 yards and 3 scores, adding 20 yards and a TD on the ground. This is to add context to the Week 15 AFC South steel-cage match that will take place indoors in Houston. This could be a defensive bloodbath. Or could it be another statement game for T-Law and company? The home game in Week 17 against the Commanders could be a fiesta of points, with Jayden Daniels and Lawrence going back and forth with fantasy championships to be decided. Expect plenty of points in the last two of these matchups. 

San Francisco 49ers

• Week 15 AT Chargers
• Week 16 AT Chiefs
• Week 17 Eagles

Let’s circle that championship week game hosting the Eagles as one that could be fun, with both teams having playmaking QBs looking to put up a lot of points in the nice Bay Area weather. The Chargers game may be a pseudo-home game, as often happens when the 49ers go to SoFi Stadium. There’s some concern that the game in Kansas City could be a tough one if frigid (or worse) conditions hit the Midwest for the holidays.

Minnesota Vikings

• Week 15 Lions
• Week 16 Commanders
• Week 17 AT Jets

Home games against the Lions and Commanders will see two QBs putting up some points on the Vikings. Will Kyler Murray be doing his best Sam Darnold 2024 imitation by then? With better legs. The fantasy championship trip to New Jersey to face the Jets could have some weather, and the 40.5 over/under doesn’t tell much of a story for many points to be scored. Still, the Jets are a rebuilding defense, so could Justin Jefferson do some damage?

New Orleans Saints

• Week 15 AT Buccaneers
• Week 16 Cardinals
• Week 17 AT Falcons

Year 2 Tyler Shough, come on down! These three games are sneaky good, as the game in Tampa is the only outside affair. Could Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson have some fun against a pair of secondaries that should be plenty beatable? Even the Falcons with the Terrell Brothers in the secondary might not be able to keep up. 

Atlanta Falcons

• Week 15 AT Commanders
• Week 16 Buccaneers
• Week 17 Saints

While the Saints were an improved defense by the end of 2025 and have some momentum with Shough, this should still be a defense that could be beat by Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Each of these offenses could push the Falcons into having to score points, though the December road game against the Commanders will at the very least be cold.

Indianapolis Colts

• Week 15 AT Titans
• Week 16 Bengals
• Week 17 AT Browns

The Colts are going to be wishing that the Browns’ domed stadium were opening much earlier, like by New Year’s 2027. Jonathan Taylor could have a tough time finding room to run against the Titans and Browns, two teams that have been among the best run defenses over the past few years. If Daniel Jones has recovered well from his Achilles surgery, Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren could find some alleys to get open in the first two games.

Seattle Seahawks

• Week 15 AT Eagles
• Week 16 Rams
• Week 17 AT Panthers

All three games are outdoors, which could slow down the pace—and the scoring—for the Seahawks. If healthy, all three secondaries could be tough for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to navigate. But come on, it's JSN. He's always open. The running lanes for Jadarian Price could be limited as well.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Week 15 Broncos
• Week 16 Titans
• Week 17 AT Cardinals

Yay, it’s three dome games, with two of them against defenses that are rebuilding, at best. Fernando Mendoza could be at the helm of this Raiders offense by this point in the season, which could be a mixed bag as all are with rookie QBs. Hard to trust the Raiders against the Broncos, even if the game is in Las Vegas. That Week 17 game which could be a rematch of the National Championship Game between Mendoza and Carson Beck is intriguing for the storyline. Maybe not for players not named Jeanty, Love, McBride or Bowers.

Houston Texans

• Week 15 Jaguars
• Week 16 AT Eagles
• Week 17 AT Packers

Three tough defenses, with two of them possibly happening in freezing temperatures. Unless C.J. Stroud takes multiple steps forward in his development, this closing schedule may be enough to fade Texans not named Nico Collins and, maybe, David Montgomery.

Arizona Cardinals

• Week 15 Jets
• Week 16 AT Saints
• Week 17 Raiders

Another three indoor games, which may only be fun for Trey McBride and Jeremiyah Love. If the Cardinals are getting a look at Carson Beck, will Marvin Harrison Jr. and/or Michael Wilson be viable?

Miami Dolphins

• Week 15 AT Packers
• Week 16 Chargers
• Week 17 Bills

HC Jeff Hafley and QB Malik Willis going up to Green Bay will be the storyline in Week 15. But let’s not kid ourselves that that game will be anything but a Packers blowout. The Chargers and Bills will put up some points against the Dolphins, which could put Willis and De'Von Achane into catchup ball. Will any pass catchers have stepped up for Miami by then?

Premium

Go FantasyLife+

Your league is unique. Your advice should be too. Get personalized tools, rankings, and projections tailored to your fantasy football league settings.

Learn More