“No one runs the ball on the Tennessee Titans defense,” declared Titans’ defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons earlier this week. But this Sunday, Mother Nature might be the one calling the plays at Nissan Stadium. As the Packers and Titans gear up for their Week 3 showdown, the forecast is looking hotter than a Nashville chicken wing and potentially wetter than a dip in the Cumberland River.

NFLweather.com’s crystal ball is painting a picture. Kickoff temperatures are set to sizzle at a scorching 90°F, with the heat index cranking things up to a sweat-inducing 98°F. It’s the kind of weather that has players wondering if they should be running routes or frying eggs on the 50-yard line.

But wait, there’s more! The football gods aren’t just bringing the heat – they’re threatening to open the floodgates too. There’s a 23% chance of thunderstorms at kickoff, rising to 30% as the game progresses.

For the Packers, this tropical trek south could be a rude awakening. Green Bay’s been enjoying milder temps, and now they’re about to get a Tennessee-style steam bath. The question is: will Jordan Love (if he plays) wilt in the heat or use it to torch the Titans’ defense? As Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich put it as per Lake Geneva News, “That’s something as a defense you have to know where he’s at at all times.”

On the flip side, the Titans might think they’ve got home-field advantage locked up. But with humidity levels hovering around 58% and the chance of rain increasing, even the most seasoned Nashvillians might find themselves praying for a cool-down.

Can Levis hold onto the ball in a potential downpour?

While the weather threatens to turn Nissan Stadium’s 419 Tifway Bermuda Grass into a slip ‘n slide, all eyes will be on Titans QB Will Levis. The rookie’s been playing hot potato with the football lately, coughing up five turnovers in just two games. Now, he’s facing a Packers defense that’s been snatching balls like they’re going out of style.

Green Bay’s D, under new coordinator Jeff Hafley, has already nabbed a league-leading six takeaways, including five interceptions. Throw in some potential rain, and suddenly Levis might find himself juggling more than just defensive schemes. Packers Nickelback Keisean Nixon summed it up best: “We’re holding our standard high in the defensive room, especially the DB room, (of) taking the ball away. That’s the goal.”

For Levis, who’s still learning the ropes with just 11 NFL starts under his belt, this could be a perfect storm of challenges. He’s already had to change his phone number this week after disgruntled fans bombarded him with texts. Now, he’s facing a hungry defense and potentially slick conditions. As Hafley noted, Levis has “also made some really good plays and really good throws,” but in these conditions, even good might not be good enough.

The weather forecast isn’t just a talking point – it could be the X-factor that decides this game. Will the Packers’ defense continue their takeaway spree? Can Levis keep a grip on both the ball and his composure? As the storm clouds gather over Nashville, one thing’s for sure: this Week 3 matchup is shaping up to be one electrifying showdown. And with 68,798 fans packed into Nissan Stadium, the atmosphere might just be as charged as the lightning-filled sky above.