When it comes to hurricanes, the only thing more unpredictable than the path of the storm is how it will impact the sports world. Enter Hurricane Helene — nature’s latest attempt to show sports fans and athletes alike who’s the real MVP of chaos. With the storm brewing and making its way towards the Florida coast, teams from the NFL, NCAA, MLB, and even the MLS have been left checking the weather radar more often than their playbooks. Let’s break down who’s braving the storm and who’s planning a quick punt to safety.
NFL Teams Playing Musical Chairs with Helene
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia have all declared states of emergency as Hurricane Helene, currently a Category 1, threatens to strengthen to a Category 4. Who would’ve thought a hurricane could be just like your favorite football team — starting off slow but potentially wreaking havoc if it hits full stride? With evacuations in place, residents are battening down the hatches, and meanwhile, the NFL is left scratching its head like, “So, should we call a time-out on these games?”
Let’s start with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles. They’re slated to clash on Sunday, and word on the field is that the game will go ahead as planned. Why? Because Helene, in true diva fashion, might pass by just in time. But don’t put your ponchos away just yet—showers and thunderstorms are still lurking on the sidelines, ready to make that football feel more like a slippery bar of soap.
As for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, the two teams are gearing up to duke it out in the dome at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Luckily for them, the storm is expected to take a knee before Sunday, so they’ll likely avoid a weather blitz. Just expect a few travel delays—because what’s a hurricane without a little inconvenience?
Over in Carolina, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Carolina Panthers may not be so lucky. Heavy rains are expected to drench western North Carolina, potentially turning the field into a mud wrestling pit. But Charlotte is expected to dodge the worst of it, so fingers crossed it doesn’t turn into the NFL’s soggiest showdown.
And then we have the Miami Dolphins vs. Tennessee Titans, scheduled for Monday. Miami is expected to sidestep the storm altogether unless Hurricane Helene pulls a Hail Mary and decides to change direction at the last minute. Then again, the Dolphins are used to swimming through rough waters—both literally and figuratively.
NCAA: Weathering the Storm, College Style
College football isn’t immune to Helene’s antics either. The Miami Hurricanes (the irony, right?) are set to host Virginia Tech on Friday night. Miami says no schedule changes yet, but with a storm named Helene knocking on their door, who knows?
Florida State decided they weren’t waiting around to find out. They bolted from Tallahassee on Thursday, opting for an early departure to Dallas for their Saturday face-off against SMU. While the team made it out, their band, The Marching Chiefs, unfortunately, had to sit this one out, forced to cancel their trip. Maybe the band heard about Helene’s 150 mph winds and decided to play it safe.
Colorado wasn’t taking any chances either. The Buffaloes fled Boulder like it was a pop quiz, leaving on Wednesday for Orlando ahead of their game against UCF on Saturday afternoon. Florida A&M took the safer route, opting to reschedule their Saturday game against Alabama A&M all the way to November 29. Talk about pushing it to the off-season!
Meanwhile, the Florida Gators have conveniently found themselves on a bye week. No hurricane drills for them—just the usual swampy conditions they call home.
MLB and MLS: Strikeouts and Rainouts
As for Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets got the double-whammy. Heavy rains in Atlanta forced the postponement of the final two games of their series at Truist Park. But the league, in its infinite wisdom, decided to make up for it by scheduling a doubleheader on Monday. Because nothing says “fun” like playing two back-to-back games in soggy cleats, right?
With both teams eyeing the Wild Card, these games could have significant playoff implications. Imagine having your postseason dreams washed away by a hurricane. As if the Braves and Mets didn’t have enough drama already, Hurricane Helene decided to throw a curveball of its own.
Final Whistle: Hurricane 1, Sports World 0?
So, will Hurricane Helene sack the NFL, NCAA, and MLB games, or just leave them scrambling? It’s a game of wait and see. But one thing’s for sure—whether it’s touchdowns, home runs, or goals, Mother Nature always has a way of reminding us who really runs the scoreboard.
And for those brave enough to make it to the stadiums, don’t forget your umbrella. Or better yet, maybe pack a lifeboat—you know, just in case Helene decides to turn these matchups into water polo.
Who knew Week 4 would come with a hurricane playbook? Stay tuned.