NFL releases statement on Rams vs. Vikings playoff game amid Los Angeles wildfires, evacuations

The NFL is keeping a close eye on the wildfires in Los Angeles ahead of the Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings playoff game. The league released a statement saying that it will keep in contact with both teams if changes need to be made.

“The NFL continues to closely monitor developments in the area and will remain in contact with both clubs and the NFLPA,” chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement to Pro Football Talk.

According to the Associated Press, multiple wildfires have engulfed the Los Angeles area, destroying more than 1,000 structures and two people dying. More than 70,000 people were ordered to evacuate.

One notable area in danger is Pasadena, home to the Rose Bowl. “At least four separate blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade,” the AP wrote. “With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help, and weather conditions were too windy for firefighting aircraft to fly, further hampering the fight. Fire officials hoped to get the flights up later Wednesday.”

Looking at the Rams vs. Vikings playoff matchup

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The Rams vs. Vikings playoff matchup is set to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local). It’s not likely the game will be postponed since the winning team will have to play the following weekend. If the wildfires get too close to the area or the air quality is unhealthy, the NFL could move the game to a different stadium.

The game will close out Wild Card weekend, and both teams enter the contest after losing their regular-season finale matchups. The Rams (10-7) are hosting the Vikings (14-3) because they won the NFC West and clinched the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. The Vikings (a No. 5 seed) are the first 14-win team to enter the playoffs as a Wild Card.

“After a 14-3 season, I think we’ll be able to pull from a lot of the lessons we’ve learned from the very beginning of this season all the way through,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said this week, per KSTP.com. “We’ve got the players in today, we’re going through the tape and are getting ready to make sure we are honest and on top of corrections, and things we can all do together.”