Los Angeles, California – The NFL has made the decision to relocate Monday’s wild-card playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams due to ongoing wildfires in Southern California. Originally scheduled to take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the game will now be held at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

The decision to move the game to Arizona was made in the interest of public safety, as fires continue to ravage Southern California. The league had planned for this contingency and finalized the decision after consulting with public officials, the participating clubs, and the NFLPA.

Earlier in the day, a new fire broke out near the Rams’ training complex in the Woodland Hills neighborhood, leading to the cancellation of the team’s scheduled player media availability. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers are also preparing for a playoff game this weekend against the Houston Texans on Saturday.

Both the Rams and Chargers continued with their practice schedules despite the challenging conditions caused by the wildfires. The Rams’ facility was shrouded in smoke, while the Chargers’ skies were tinted orange with ashes blowing around the field.

Many players, including Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, Joe Alt, and Taylor Heinicke, wore masks during practice due to the poor air quality. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh made adjustments to practice based on expert recommendations to prioritize the health and safety of the players.

As preparations for the playoff games continue amidst the wildfires, players and staff members are dealing with personal challenges. Several players have had to evacuate their homes, highlighting the impact of the fires on the community and the sports teams in the area.

The Vikings, who were initially concerned about playing the game in Los Angeles given the current circumstances, have expressed support for their counterparts in Southern California. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reached out to Rams coach Sean McVay to offer words of support and solidarity during this difficult time.

Despite the challenges posed by the wildfires, the teams are adjusting and adapting to ensure the games can go on as scheduled. The decision to move the Vikings-Rams game to Arizona was met with a shift in betting lines, with the Vikings becoming slight favorites in response to the relocation.