NFL Fall League Meeting topics | A to Z Sports NFL newsletter
Our A to Z Sports NFL newsletter for October 23, 2025.
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NFL Fall League Meeting topics
The 2025 NFL Fall League Meeting took place this past Tuesday and Wednesday. While nothing major was changed or anything new implemented, there were a lot of important topics discussed for the future. Let’s break them down.
A.I. officiating: It appears to be a matter of when, not if, for artificial intelligence being integrated into officiating. Controversy is always at the forefront when it comes to officiating, so the hope is that A.I. can eliminate some of that. It should be useful for things such as reaching the line to gain or a player being in or out of bounds. However, it may not be suitable for penalties like holding or pass interference. If A.I. is successful, it could reduce the number of referees officiating games.
Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime time show: Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that there are no plans to replace Bad Bunny performing at halftime of the big game despite there being some pushback on the decision. Goodell went on to say that there will be controversy regardless of who is picked to perform.
Pro Bowl festivities get a new date: The Pro Bowl Games will now take place during the week leading up to the Super Bowl, with the signature flag football game between the AFC and NFC occurring on Tuesday.
18-game schedule: The move to an 18-game regular season schedule remains likely, but isn’t going to happen as quickly as previously thought. The NFLPA still needs to pick a permanent executive director, who will have a plethora of issues to deal with before getting around the the subject of 18 games.
Playing surfaces: The NFLPA has received many complaints about the safety of field surfaces. NFL EVP/Player Safety Jeff Miller has been adamant that injury rates are low at MetLife Stadium (home of the New York Jets and Giants), which has gained a reputation of having a dangerous playing field. There has also been a focus on making sure that surfaces in international stadiums are being properly prepared for play.
Jon Gruden update: Despite Gruden and the NFL being in an ongoing legal battle, Goodell said he cannot prevent a team from hiring him as head coach if it chooses to do so.
Product is as entertaining as ever: Goodell reported that 70 percent of games have been decided by just one possession so far this season, which is an all-time high. He also believes that the new kickoff rules have made the game more exciting, as have the new wave of teams that are off to winning starts compared to previous years.
Thursday Night Football preview
The Minnesota Vikings will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers on Thursday Night Football. The two teams have big shoes to fill, as the Thursday night slate is off to an incredible start in 2025. Tyler Forness — A to Z Sports Minnesota, and Brently Weissman — A to Z Sports Los Angeles, broke down the matchup.
How is Justin Herbert handling the bevy of offensive line injuries? “Herbert is naturally a very polarizing player. He was off to a great start to the season and was in the MVP conversation. His offensive line has deteriorated over the course of the season, and with that, Herbert’s play has naturally declined. While he is still showing flashes of early-season brilliance, the beating he has taken is starting to catch up to him.
“He has been hit more than any quarterback besides Cam Ward, and because of that, he is speeding up his operation and forcing throws he may not have otherwise made. He is a bit more prone to mistakes playing with a weak offensive line, but he still shows enough athleticism and playmaking ability to make things happen.”
Minnesota Vikings News
Chargers analyst provides key insights on how the Vikings can get a much-needed win on Thursday night
The Vikings will have a difficult test in the Chargers Thursday night.
Chargers offensive line vs. Vikings defensive front: “Perhaps the most crucial matchup of the night will be in the trenches. The Chargers’ offensive line is banged up, and that’s bad news against a Vikings defense led by Brian Flores, one of the best in the league at disguising and simulating pressure. Flores loves to send pressure from unexpected angles — showing blitz with six or seven defenders, then dropping some out while bringing others from the slot or second level.
“That unpredictability has caused chaos for even experienced quarterbacks this year. The Vikings are expecting Andrew Van Ginkel back from injury, and adding him, along with Dallas Turner and Jonathan Grenard, would be a massive boost for this defense. For Los Angeles, the offensive line must hold its ground and communicate effectively to avoid free rushers that can disrupt Herbert’s rhythm. If the Chargers’ protection breaks down early, it could derail the entire offensive game plan before it finds its footing.”
Los Angeles Chargers News
The Los Angeles Chargers look to bounce back against an explosive Minnesota Vikings offense which could expose a massive weakness on the Chargers defense
Here are the three key match ups for the Chargers as they take on the Vikings.
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