Various outlets are now reporting that the Week 14 game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings will be played at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday night.
The NFL Network’s Jason LaCanfora reported the news via Twitter, after hearing from broadcaster Bob Papa, who is with the Giants in Kansas City, where severe weather forced the team to be diverted. Gametime is set for 7:20 p.m. ET.
The Minneapolis-St. Paul region was blanketed by more than 17 inches of snow from Friday to Saturday. The blizzard conditions first prevented the Giants from flying into Minneapolis in time to properly prepare for Sunday’s game, which was initially moved to Monday night.
But snow collecting on top of the Metrodome’s inflatable teflon roof caused a collapse, rendering the stadium unsuitable to host a football game Monday night. TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis (an outdoor stadium, where the University of Minnesota football team plays) and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (home of the Colts) were both considered as alternate venues for the Giants-Vikings game.
Playing outdoors for the Giants wasn't an option, as it turns out, because the team hadn't brought any cold weather gear (including cleats for grass) along with them. Also, TCF Bank Stadium had essentially been shut down with the end of the Golden Gophers' football season, and it would've taken several days to get the facility prepared for a game.
Make your jokes now about this being the first Monday Night Football to be played in Detroit since Ford Field opened. ESPN’s Adam Schefter already fired the first shot. (The Lions' last Monday night appearance was in 2000 at the Pontiac Silverdome.)