Commanders vs Giants Weather: Nor’easter Brings Rain, Wind to TNF
Rain, wind and a nearby tornado watch: here is the MetLife Stadium forecast for Thursday Night Football and how it is moving the betting line.
Bring a poncho. Maybe two.
A Nor’easter is soaking the New York area on Thursday, and Commanders vs Giants weather is shaping up as a wet, windy mess for Thursday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is 8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
Nobody is talking about moving the game. But the rain is already moving the betting line, and it could change how both teams play.
Commanders vs Giants weather forecast at kickoff
The numbers vary a little by forecaster, but they all point the same way: rain, wind and falling temperatures.
| Source | Kickoff temp | Rain chance | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings Network (hourly) | 52°F | 74%, stays above 70% through 11 p.m. | NE 12 mph |
| National Weather Service | N/A | 90% | N 11-14 mph, gusts to 24 |
| AccuWeather | 53°F, falling to 50 | Rain | 10-11 mph, gusts to 15 |
The NWS numbers come from Bleacher Nation, and the hourly kickoff forecast is from DraftKings Network, which rates the weather impact as high. AccuWeather’s RealFeel is expected to drop to 42 degrees with the wind, per Yahoo Sports.
MetLife has no roof. Whatever falls on East Rutherford falls on the field.
Tornado watch and flash flooding around the area
This storm already made noise earlier Thursday. A tornado warning was issued for Queens in the early afternoon and later expired, ABC7 New York reported.
A tornado watch is in effect until 7 p.m. for Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset and Warren counties in New Jersey, according to NBC New York. Bergen County, home of MetLife, isn’t on that list, and the watch ends before kickoff. Flash flood warnings popped up in parts of New Jersey by early afternoon, and the station flagged heavy downpours as a problem for tailgaters.
Parking lots open at 3:15 p.m. and gates open at 6:15 p.m. If you’re going, plan for a wet walk in. Snow is possible north and west of the city on Friday as colder air moves in.
How the rain changes the game
Bettors have already reacted. The Giants are 2.5-point favorites, and the over/under has dropped from 43 to around 41, with DraftKings down to 40.5. Most of that move is the forecast.
Wet footballs usually mean more handoffs and fewer deep shots. That could suit Washington. The Commanders rank eighth in yards per rush, while the Giants’ defense ranks 27th in yards per rush allowed, per Covers.
It also puts more on the Giants’ backfield. We broke down Cam Skattebo’s status for tonight earlier this week. In a slop game, a healthy, physical runner matters.
Giants vs Commanders, Round 2
The first meeting was a 27-27 overtime tie in Week 5. The Giants (5-2-1) lead the NFC East. Washington (2-5-1) is fighting to stay relevant.
A Thursday night in the rain is about as old-school NFC East as it gets. TNF opens the NFL Week 10 schedule, with coverage starting at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video and Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit on the call.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, DraftKings Network, Bleacher Nation, NBC New York, ABC7 New York, Sports Illustrated, Covers
