Poor Field Conditions in Mexico City Forces League's Hand
The NFL has called an audible and so the 2018 Game of the Year is coming to Los Angeles this Monday night! Due to player safety the NFL has decided to move this coming Monday Night Football game between the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. The game was scheduled to be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City but due to poor field conditions resulting from recent soccer matches and music concerts the urgent change was inevitable.
The NFL just released this statement at 1:46 p.m. PST: "The league announced today that it will move the Monday, November 19, Kansas City Chiefs – Los Angeles Rams game originally scheduled for Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles.
"The decision is based on the determination -- in consultation with the NFLPA and following a meeting and field inspection this afternoon by NFL and club field experts as well as local and independent outside experts -- that the playing field at Estadio Azteca does not meet NFL standards for playability and consistency and will not meet those standards by next Monday," the league wrote in a statement.
"We have worked extensively with our partners at Estadio Azteca for months in preparation for this game," NFL Executive Vice President of International Mark Waller said in a statement. "Until very recently, we had no major concerns. But, the combination of a difficult rainy season and a heavy multi-event calendar of events at the stadium, have resulted in significant damage to the field that presents unnecessary risks to player safety and makes it unsuitable to host an NFL game. As a result, we have determined that moving the game is the right decision, and one that we needed to announce now in order to allow our teams and fans to make alternate arrangements.
"Details on ticket reimbursement procedures will be announced in the days ahead.
"All NFL teams that forgo a home game to play internationally are required to keep their home stadium available as a contingency, and the Rams will be announcing ticket information and other logistical details for Monday nights' game at the LA Coliseum as soon as possible."
The 9-1 Rams are coming off a very close 36-31 victory over the Seattle Seahawks this past Sunday that saw its defense give up over 270 yards rushing. The Rams survived a last minute drive by quarterback Russell Wilson and the Seahawks to move the magic number to two to clinch the NFC West Division.
The 9-1 Chiefs will be arriving at the Coliseum featuring the highest scoring offense in the league led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, wide receiver Tyreek Hill and running back Kareem Hunt. This will mark only the fourth time since 1990 that two teams facing each other with only one loss this deep into the season.
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