In Minneapolis, it has come down to snow removal and NFL approval, plus logistical issues such as ticketing and parking.  While volunteers are joining in the effort to shovel snow from the University of Minnesota's football stadium, the Minnesota Vikings are awaiting a formal okay from the league to host their home game at the outdoor facility Monday night against the Chicago Bears.  Last weekend, heavy snow resulted in the collapse of the air-inflated roof at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, home of the Vikings.  The Vikings initially considered playing last Sunday's scheduled game against the New York Giants at the college stadium on Monday night. But the facility already had been shut down for the winter, and league and team officials decided it could not be readied in time. Instead, the game was played Monday night in Detroit.  The Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission said this week that the Metrodome roof could not be repaired in time for the game against the Bears.  The next option is the university's TCF Bank Stadium.  "At this time, NFL officials are touring TCF Bank Stadium to ensure its safety for our fans and its ability to meet the primary technical requirements for an NFL game," the Vikings said in a press release Thursday.  "Ultimately the decision to re-locate a game is the league's in consultation with the two teams. The NFL supports the plan to play Monday night's game at TCF Bank Stadium but is currently ensuring viability of this plan.  "At the same time, the Vikings and the University of Minnesota are diligently working through all of the issues associated with moving a game such as tickets, parking, and operations. The organization is working to accommodate our fans' questions, and we will continue to inform them on this fluid situation as soon as more information is available."  The university has appealed to Vikings fans to join workers in removing snow from seating areas, concourses and the field at TCF Bank Stadium.  The university says it will provide shovels to volunteers if needed.  From 1961-1981 the Vikings played outdoors at Metropolitan Stadium.  The game against Chicago is scheduled 29 years to the day after the Vikings last played at Metropolitan Stadium on Dec. 20, 1961.  The Metrodome has a seating capacity of 64,121. TCF Bank Stadium has a capacity of about 50,000. -- Gary Mihoces  See photos of: Vikings, Metrodome, Monday Night Football
Vikings await NFL's OK to play Monday night game against Bears at TCF Bank Stadium - The Huddle: Football News from the NFL - USATODAY.com