The Rams and 49ers take the spotlight in our Game of the Week as the NFC West rivalry continues Thursday night in Melbourne, Australia.
The first ever Australia NFL game is upon us as the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will clash in a divisional 2026 season opener on Thursday night in Melbourne.
It’s a game that puts travel science and philosophy at the forefront, as the 49ers have been in Australia for over a week, while the Rams arrived roughly 24 hours ahead of kickoff. Both teams are hoping to best the other in surmounting jet lag from a 17-hour time difference and lengthy flight.
The NFC West showdown will be a major test for both teams out the gate. Mercifully for San Francisco, the Niners won’t have to tackle both Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett on the defensive line – just the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Garrett.
What is the biggest story for your team heading into the matchup?
49ers RTB: This is a measuring-stick contest and arguably the toughest test of the Niners’ season, despite it coming in Week 1. There will obviously be fluctuation in success and plenty of room for growth over the 16 games that follow, but with Seattle having already played its opener, this is our first real opportunity to see where San Francisco stacks up in a division that features three legitimate contenders in the Rams, Niners and Seahawks.
Rams RTB: It would have been how Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett could impact the defense, but now it lands solely on the shoulders of Garrett. How impactful the reigning Defensive Player of the Year can be with an already-stacked defense may show the league what’s in store when they face the Rams.
What is the most important matchup in this game?
49ers RTB: For me, it’s San Francisco’s new-look wide receiver room against the Rams’ secondary. Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and De’Zhaun Stribling are all new to the roster this season, and while Samuel obviously has familiarity with the system, receiving production goes well beyond individual talent, so seeing how this group fits together and is deployed collectively will be important.
Rams RTB: Similar to how impactful Garrett can be, it will be how the San Francisco 49ers offensive line can handle the pass rush from Los Angeles in general. If they double-team Garrett, there is Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, and Byron Young also waiting to make things very difficult for Brock Purdy.
Which player from your team isn’t talked about enough but could play a huge role?
49ers RTB: I’ll go with Kyle Juszczyk, who certainly isn’t a forgotten player and remains one of the best fullbacks in the NFL, but I think his familiarity with this offense becomes even more valuable with so many new pieces around him. Whether the ball is in his hands or not, he consistently impacts plays, and it wouldn’t be surprising if we’re talking about him as one of the unsung heroes when this game is over.
Rams RTB: Everyone is talking about Garrett, for obvious reasons, but I am very curious to see how defensive coordinator Chris Shula uses linebacker Nate Landman in coverage. Landman had a fantastic 2025 season, bringing in a 64.4 coverage grade per Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 24th. Considering the dangerous nature of over-the-middle throws to both George Kittle and the trickery of Deebo Samuel, Landman’s coverage skills will be on full display.
What is your team’s biggest Achilles heel?
49ers RTB: Ironically enough, the biggest Achilles heel is injuries themselves, and more specifically what they’ve already done to San Francisco’s depth. George Kittle and Nick Bosa are returning from injuries, but the Niners have already dealt with plenty of other minor and even season-ending injuries before Week 1, leaving them with a level of depletion most teams don’t experience until much later in the year.
Rams RTB: The Rams have two stars in Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but beyond that, the depth chart remains a mystery. Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield are the presumed WR3 options, and they will need to create separation to truly count against the 49ers secondary. If San Francisco can limit Nacua and Adams, they may not have to worry as much about the other receivers, given that no third option has stepped up to complement the passing game.
What is your final score prediction?
49ers RTB: I’m going Rams 27, 49ers 17. Los Angeles has the better roster and a group with a chance to be special on both sides of the football, and while anything can happen in a neutral-site international game, this feels like an opportunity for the Super Bowl favorites to come out and make a statement against a San Francisco team that’s already dealing with significant depletion.
Rams RTB: Rams 28, 49ers 17. Despite the 49ers having a good team, they are also heading into this matchup with an injured roster. The Rams also have a lot of firepower on both sides of the ball. It may be too much for this ailing San Francisco team.
National RTB Pick: Rams 24, 49ers 17
