Minnesota Vikings No. 0 Ivan Pace Jr. celebrates after making an interception during the second quarter of a game against the Detroit Lions on January 5, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. ((Photo by: Gregory Schamus/Getty Images))
Minneapolis (FOX 9) – of minnesota vikings They are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Rams next Monday night in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs.
Mother Nature may have a say in it and be forced to run the game. A major storm hit the Los Angeles area earlier this week, causing dangerous wildfires and poor air quality in the area.
Three wildfires continue to grow in Southern California
Firefighters are battling three wildfires in Southern California that have prompted mass evacuations and affected thousands of people. Strong winds caused the fire to continue to spread, destroying schools and homes.
NFL officials said the league “continues to closely monitor developments in this area and remains in communication with both clubs and the NFLPA.”
NFL releases contingency plan
What we know: With playoff games just five days away, the NFL must quickly decide whether it can play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Evacuation orders have been issued for homes around Rose Stadium, just 45 minutes northeast. Bowl Stadium in Pasadena.
On Tuesday night, NFL officials announced that if SoFi Stadium is unable to host the Vikings-Rams game for any reason, there are contingency plans to move the venue to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., home of the Arizona Cardinals. announced. It’s not yet clear when that call will take place.
This could be an advantage for the Vikings, since Minnesotans are known as “snowbirds” and make southern states like Arizona their winter home.
Games will be played on Monday nights regardless of location. The winner advances to the NFC Divisional Playoffs next weekend.
Vikings express support for those affected
What they said: The Vikings took to social media Tuesday to express support for those affected by the Los Angeles storm and subsequent wildfires.
“We are thinking of our friends at the Rams, their community and our first responders during this time,” team officials said.
rematch
Why it’s important: The Vikings traveled to Los Angeles in Week 8 and lost to the Rams 30-20 on Thursday Night Football. It was their second loss in five days, but they have since won nine straight. The game ended in a bit of controversy after the referees missed Sam Darnold’s blatant face mask on a play that resulted in a safety in the end zone.
The Vikings are 14-3 and have only lost to two teams this season: the Lions twice and the Rams.
