The NFL is monitoring the California wildfires that have claimed at least five lives and forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes across Los Angeles County.
The Los Angeles Rams are currently scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Round on Monday night inside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The league still plans to play the game in SoFi, but a contingency plan was announced Wednesday night that states that if the game is played, it will be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., the Rams’ NFC West rival. , home of the Arizona Cardinals). need.
“The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community. We thank the first responders for their tireless efforts. Our hearts go out to Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires,” the NFL said in a statement. Ta. “We continue to prepare to play the Vikings vs. Rams game as scheduled at SoFi Stadium on Monday night. As with any game, we have a contingency plan in case a change of location is necessary. If necessary, the game would be played on Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. We will continue to closely monitor developments in this area and remain in contact with authorities, both clubs and the NFLPA.”
The league has a recent history of changing the location of games due to weather-based circumstances. In 2022, the Browns and Bills played at Ford Field in Detroit because of a “lake-effect snowy winter storm” that was scheduled to hit the Buffalo area before kickoff. Last January, the NFL postponed the Steelers-Bills wild-card game the day after heavy snowfall hit the Buffalo area.
Given the current situation in Los Angeles, it made sense for the NFL to consider alternative stadium options on Monday night.
The Rams earned a home playoff game by being the NFC West champions. The Vikings lost to the Lions in a Week 18 showdown that ultimately determined which team would earn the NFC’s coveted No. 1 seed and the accompanying playoff bye, and were denied a spot in a home playoff game. Ta. The Lions also won the NFC North, defeating the Vikings, who had to earn a wild-card playoff spot despite going 14-3 in the regular season.
