NFL Reveals Alternate Plan for Vikings Playoff Game as Wildfires Continue
The Minnesota Vikings won 14 of their 17 regular season games, resulting in a postseason berth and the fifth seed in the NFC playoff picture. Week 18’s defeat in Detroit cost the franchise the opportunity to have a bye week in the wildcard round but also the chance to have guaranteed home games in the playoffs.
NFL Reveals Alternate Plan for Vikings Playoff Game as Wildfires Continue
Due to the loss, the Vikings are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams in their state-of-the-art building. The issue is that Southern California is currently experiencing wildfires, and, among much more important consequences outside of football, those could jeopardize the rematch of the Week 8 game the Rams won against the Vikings.
The NFL released a statement on Wednesday evening, announcing that the game would be played in Glendale, Arizona if it had to be moved.
The NFL’s priority is the safety of the Los Angeles community. We are grateful for the tireless efforts of the first responders. Our hearts are with Los Angeles and everyone affected by the fires.
We continue to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium. As with all games, there are contingency plans in the event a change in location is needed. In this instance, the game would be played on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, if necessary.
We will continue to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with public officials, both clubs and the NFLPA.
State Farm Stadium has been a popular alternate location for the NFL in recent years. According to Cardinals writer Darren Urban, it would be the fifth such occasion in the last 21 years.
The 49ers played three games in that stadium during the 2020 season as the pandemic prevented them from playing in their own home. The San Diego Chargers played a home game in Arizona due to wildfires in 2003.
At least 100,000 residents so far are under evacuation orders, according to the Associated Press.
AP wrote, “Three fires continue to burn uncontrollably in the area: The Palisades fire, west of Los Angeles, has burned about 18 square miles (29 square kilometers). The Eaton fire, north of Pasadena has burned about 16.5 square miles (42.7 square kilometers). And the Hurst fire, in the San Fernando Valley, has burned nearly a square mile (2.6 square kilometers). At a 5:50 p.m. PST media briefing, an official announced that a new blaze had broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon.”
The NFL will likely make a decision within the next 24-48 hours. The fact that the game is scheduled for Monday instead of Saturday or Sunday has bought them more time.
The Vikings are favored by one point on the road. A game away from SoFi Stadium could increase that by an additional point or two.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt