Vikings vs Rams Wildcard Game Still on as Scheduled… but Wildfires Literally Loom Overhead

By Ezra Greenman |

Updated: Jan 9, 2025

The 14-3 Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for playoff football, but their path won’t start at home. After falling to the Detroit Lions last Sunday night, the Vikings dropped to the 5th seed in the NFC. That means they’ll hit the road for the wildcard round, heading to Los Angeles to face the Rams.

As you’ve probably heard, the Palisades wildfires in California are causing chaos, tens of thousands, of people out of their homes. There’s even talk that the game might need to be relocated. The NFL already has a backup plan ready to go if that happens.

Palisades Fire might force Minnesota Vikings vs Los Angeles Rams to be moved to Glendale

UPDATE: Vikings vs Rams was officially moved to Glendale just hours after this article was posted.

The Palisades fire has already disrupted several professional sports events. On Wednesday night, the NHL postponed the Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary Flames game. Now, the NBA has followed suit, announcing that the Lakers vs. Hornets game on Thursday is also being postponed.

Since it’s the NFL playoffs, there’s no chance they’ll postpone the game. Instead, they’ll just switch locations. On Wednesday, they announced that if a move is necessary, the game will be played in Glendale, Arizona, at the Cardinals’ home stadium.

Today, we got a small update, smoke was seen near the Rams’ practice facility. It’s worth noting that the facility is about 30 miles away from SoFi Stadium, where the Vikings vs. Rams game will take place.

We can now see smoke from the Rams’ facility. pic.twitter.com/9F54j8RcZm
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) January 9, 2025

The Rams are cancelling open locker room after practice to let the players get home as a new fire breaks out, The Kenneth Fire
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) January 9, 2025

This isn’t just a little puff of smoke, it’s massive and really noticeable. If these fires aren’t brought under control soon, the situation could escalate. With the smoke growing even larger and possibly drifting closer to SoFi Stadium. While the stadium does have a roof, its open-air design could still make things challenging.

The Rams have officially canceled open locker room after practice now, to allow the players to get home from practice as new fire breaks out, and is not being contained.

The NFL has made it clear that the Rams earned home field advantage by winning their division, and they’re doing everything they can to keep the game in LA. However, there could come a point where they’ll be pressured to move it, especially with the NBA and NHL already postponing games.

Sean McVay says no Rams players have been affected so far

It’s also important to point out that Rams head coach Sean McVay mentioned a few employees were affected by the fire, but luckily, no players or coaches were harmed (yet). This could put some pressure on the NFL to keep the game in LA if this stands.

Sean McVay still expects the Rams’ playoff game to be in Inglewood. He says a few Rams employees have been affected by the fires, but no players or coaches were in an affected area.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 9, 2025

Optics of keeping the game in LA

It’s probably not a great look for the NFL to continue saying that the game will still be held in Los Angeles. With thousands of people being forced to evacuate the area, the idea of playing a football game at Sofi Stadium is most probably the last thing on resident’s minds. Kevin Seifert of ESPN, released a quote from Minnesota Vikings NFLPA player representative and DT Harrison Phillips, speaking on the importance of the image that continuing to play the game through a disaster gives to the community.

Vikings DL Harrison Phillips, the team's NFLPA player rep, had some measured words today about the possibility of playing in Monday night in a region that is still ablaze as of Thursday afternoon: pic.twitter.com/SPr1P70AF5
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 9, 2025

A decision will need to be made quickly since the game is just a few days away. It’s expected that a choice will come soon, but as the clock ticks down, it looks more likely the game will take place in LA, though only time will tell. Another factor is the public image of keeping the game as planned, so we’ll see how Roger Goodell decides to play this. It seems like only a matter of time before the game is officially moved, but to be determined.