The Los Angeles Rams suffered a surprising 27-7 loss to their NFC West rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in the NFL's first-ever game in Australia on Thursday night.
The game, played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, marked the beginning of the 2026 season for both teams. The Rams had arrived in Melbourne on Thursday morning, with just 28 hours until kickoff, while the 49ers had spent nearly a week adjusting to the local time zone and practicing multiple times.
Rams coach Sean McVay downplayed the significance of the team's short turnaround, saying that he was not going to make it a big deal. "It's, 'Hey, this is what the reality is. We've got a long way to go, but let's be ready to rock when that three-hour window that we're allotted comes,'" he said.
However, the 49ers' approach seemed to pay off as they came out strong and maintained their intensity throughout the game. The team's offense, led by quarterback Brock Purdy, was able to find its rhythm, while the Rams' offense, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, struggled to find its footing.
Stafford, who was expected to be a key player for the Rams, was particularly ineffective, completing just a handful of passes in the first half. The Rams' defense also seemed to lose steam as the game went on, allowing the 49ers to score a 99-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter.
The loss marked a disappointing start to the season for the Rams, who had been touted as one of the top teams in the league. However, the team's management and players remain optimistic about the season ahead, with many believing that the team can still become the juggernaut everyone expects it to be.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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