The Los Angeles Rams reached Australia just a day before their opening international game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers. In contrast, the 49ers arrived in Melbourne a week ahead, giving them time to adjust to the significant time difference.
In Thursday night’s game, San Francisco outperformed the Rams, winning decisively with a 27-7 score. Matthew Stafford, the reigning league MVP, and the Los Angeles offense struggled to match their 2025 performance.
The Rams faced criticism for their travel strategy leading up to the game, and the defeat only increased scrutiny. On Friday morning’s episode of “First Take” on ESPN, Stephen A. Smith commented on the Rams’ travel decision, labeling it a “mistake.” He highlighted, “You got there 28 hours before the game. Clearly, that appeared to be a mistake.”
Brock Purdy, the 49ers quarterback, contributed significantly to his team’s victory with 205 passing yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He connected for touchdowns with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Demarcus Robinson. In contrast, Stafford recorded a modest 155 yards and one interception.
The Rams are set to face the New York Giants in Week 2 on Monday. They will aim to recover from this initial setback.