Winners and losers of 49ers’ thrashing of not-so-super Rams in Australia

Winners and losers of 49ers' thrashing of not-so-super Rams in Australia.

Key points

• More than 100, 000 folks descended on the Melbourne Cricket Ground – 100, 021 to be exact, the seventh-highest attendance for a regular-season game in league history.
• Joe Rivera, Chris Bumbaca and Adam Kaufman break down their predictions for the 2026 NFL season on the latest episode of the Sports Seriously NFL Vodcast.
• Squad some thought might pull off the first 17-0 regular season obtained thoroughly walloped by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL's first regular-season foray into Australia.
• After passing for a league-leading and career-high 46 TD passes on his way to league MVP honors in 2025, he didn't throw a single one in Australia.
• We'll take Noah Eagle on the play-by-play mic seven days a week and twice on Thursday (or is it Friday?).

Winners and losers of 49ers' thrashing of not-so-super Rams in Australia. Nate Davis USA TODAY. Our picks and predictions for the 2026 NFL season.

Turns out the Los Angeles Rams won't be a historic juggernaut. They're certainly no threat to the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

Meanwhile, a star-studded L.A. Squad some thought might pull off the first 17-0 regular season obtained thoroughly walloped by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL's first regular-season foray into Australia. The Niners' 27-7 victory not only seeded doubt regarding the Rams but additionally reaffirmed San Fran as a bona fide Super Bowl 61 contender on the heels of a 12-5 campaign in 2025 that was truly remarkable given the myriad injuries suffered by the 49ers. Let's break down the fallout from Down Under.

Duh. They won. But they additionally did so in dominant fashion, basically with a full complement of their stars. After an early interception, QB Brock Purdy was surgical, as he so often is, completing 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards and three TDs, including one each to WRs Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel. This person weren't with this team in 2025. Defensively, DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner were back for a unit that almost completely shut down the Rams offense, limiting them to 290 yards, 15 first downs and just one trip to the end zone.

Duh. They won. Again. The reigning champs were always going to be a leg up on one of their primary NFC West foes after a hard-fought win over the New England Patriots in Wednesday night's season opener. But starting the season with a one-game lead over the uber-hyped (overhyped?) Rams has to be gratifying for the reigning champs, especially as they face the prospect of probable playing at least one game without injured QB Sam Darnold. Stayed retired in SoCal, for this week anyway. Smart man.

We'll take Noah Eagle on the play-by-play mic seven days a week and twice on Thursday (or is it Friday?). Broadcast partner (or is it streaming partner?) and newly enshrined Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly must learn to look into the camera more and at Eagle less. But his reputation as a savant who can dissect and decipher film translated to his analyst role, and he should only obtain better. And though Kuechly has a clean-cut "Captain America" image, his sense of humor is additionally apparent. Though it still boasts a far superior pre-game show, prime Video should be jealous of this booth.

More than 100, 000 folks descended on the Melbourne Cricket Ground – 100, 021 to be exact, the seventh-highest attendance for a regular-season game in league history. And with Netflix airing the game and continuing to settle in as a league business partner, the NFL's seeming objective of world domination continues to gain momentum.

His "Friday Night Lights"-inspired intro to Netflix's production struck a wonderfully nostalgic tone and was one of the highlights of the night given the mundane nature of the game itself.

Mingling with the locals? Sightseeing? Acclimatizing? Sleeping? Sampling some Vegemite? Pretty much how anyone would enjoy a sojourn to Australia.

"It was definitely worth it to come a little bit early, " remarked Evans. "We didn't complain. We actually enjoyed being here in Melbourne."

Thirty-plus hours in an uncomfortable tube – maybe slightly more comfortable in the Rams' case – sandwiched around facing a capable NFC West opponent and hoping adrenaline can carry the day? Dumb as it (unsurprisingly) turns out, the Rams looking listless for much of the contest. Next time, book a hotel, do a river tour, relax. Win?

"I don't believe (the strategy) is why we didn't play well enough. I really don't, " coach Sean McVay remarked afterward despite the on-field evidence to the contrary.

After his seismic offseason trade from the Cleveland Browns to L.A., particularly much looking forward to his Rams debut. Oh wait, he played!?

Sorry, but who asked for this? The dozens of individuals milling concerning the stage in a bargain bin version of a Super Bowl halftime show? We hate to blame it on an apparently Jonas-thirsty Aussie Gen-Z demographic, but unless you have a better theory.

When he became the Niners' top draft pick (33rd overall, atop the second round), the former Ole Miss wideout wasted little time proving naysayers wrong and establishing himself in what was an injury-riddled San Francisco receiving corps during training camp and preseason, widely panned in April. But then his professional roller coaster ride took another turn when Stribling suffered some kind of leg injury in the first half that cut his official league debut short. The Faithful already thanking God for Evans.

After passing for a league-leading and career-high 46 TD passes on his way to league MVP honors in 2025, he didn't throw a single one in Australia. Stafford, who finished with just 155 yards and an INT through the air, didn't even finish the game, McVay content to throw in the towel while hoping to obtain his figuratively battered team back on track in Week 2.

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In short, winners and losers of 49ers thrashing of not-so is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.