49ers Rout Rams 27-7 in NFL’s First Regular-Season Game in Australia/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. San Francisco’s defense limited Matthew Stafford to 155 passing yards and stopped the Rams at the goal line before the 49ers produced a decisive 99-yard touchdown drive. The teams’ contrasting travel schedules drew attention after the well-acclimated 49ers outplayed a Rams team that arrived only 28 hours before kickoff.
Quick Look
- San Francisco defeated Los Angeles 27-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
- The game was the NFL’s first regular-season contest in Australia.
- Brock Purdy passed for 205 yards and three touchdowns.
- Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel caught touchdown passes.
- The crowd of 100,021 was the seventh-largest for a regular-season NFL game.
- San Francisco scored the final 24 points.
- Matthew Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards.
- The 49ers held the Rams to 290 total yards.
- Myles Garrett recorded no tackles in his Rams debut.
- San Francisco arrived a week early, while Los Angeles arrived 28 hours before kickoff.
- The 49ers next host Miami, while the Rams host the New York Giants.
Deep Look
49ers dominate historic game in Melbourne
The San Francisco 49ers opened their season with a commanding 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL’s first regular-season game played in Australia.
Brock Purdy threw touchdown passes to Mike Evans, Demarcus Robinson and Deebo Samuel as San Francisco controlled its NFC West rival at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards, overcoming an early interception to help the 49ers score 24 consecutive points after falling behind 7-3.
The game attracted 100,021 spectators, making it the seventh-largest regular-season crowd in NFL history.
Early arrival pays off for San Francisco
The 49ers traveled to Melbourne a week before the game, giving players time to adjust their body clocks, practice locally and experience the city.
Los Angeles followed a substantially different plan, remaining in California until less than two days before kickoff. The Rams arrived only 28 hours before the game and attempted to keep their internal clocks aligned with California time.
“It was definitely worth it to come a little bit early,” said Evans, who caught six passes in his 49ers debut. “We definitely got acclimated. … All the guys attacked it. We didn’t complain. We actually enjoyed being here in Melbourne.”
San Francisco also developed a strong connection with local fans during its extended stay.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said the Melbourne Cricket Ground “felt gladiator-ish. … It felt like home once we got here. I’m glad the guys played like it, too.”
Rams score the NFL’s first Australian touchdown
Both teams began slowly during the 10:35 a.m. local kickoff, which was scheduled to accommodate American television audiences.
Kyren Williams gave the Rams a 7-3 lead with a 5-yard run early in the second quarter, scoring the first NFL regular-season touchdown on Australian soil.
The quarterbacks then exchanged interceptions before Purdy settled into the game. He connected with former Rams receiver Demarcus Robinson on a 39-yard post route, giving San Francisco a 10-7 advantage.
Los Angeles did not score again.
Purdy leads decisive second half
San Francisco immediately increased its advantage after halftime.
Samuel returned the opening kickoff of the second half 45 yards, setting up Purdy’s touchdown pass to Evans over Rams cornerback Jaylen Watson.
The Rams responded by driving to the San Francisco goal line. Puka Nacua was ruled down just inches short of a touchdown, leaving Los Angeles facing fourth down at the 1.
San Francisco’s defense stopped Stafford on a quarterback sneak, preserving its 17-7 lead and producing the game’s decisive change in momentum.
The 49ers then drove 99 yards, with Purdy escaping pressure and finding Samuel for a touchdown. San Francisco later added a field goal to complete the scoring.
49ers defense shuts down Stafford
San Francisco’s defense limited the Ramswho had the NFL’s highest-ranked offense the previous season, to 290 yards and one touchdown.
Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards. The Rams converted only two of nine third-down attempts and one of three fourth-down plays.
“Probably only had two good drives, to be honest,” Stafford said. “Not enough good stuff on offense. We didn’t do the things that we’re accustomed to doing. Too many times, we were on different pages. That starts with me.”
The 49ers’ defense is now led by Raheem Morriswho previously spent years working on the Rams’ coaching staff.
Fred Warner and Nick Bosa also made significant plays in their returns from lengthy injury absences.
Garrett struggles in Rams debut
Myles Garrett made little impact during his first game for Los Angeles.
The reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year recorded no tackles, sacks or quarterback hits and spent portions of the second half on the sideline.
Garrett had missed much of training camp because of physical issues and acknowledged after the loss that a knee injury had prevented him from reaching full health.
“This was the worst version of myself that I’ve put out there, and I’ve got to be better,” Garrett said.
McVay faces questions about travel strategy
The Rams’ late arrival became a central postgame subject following their sluggish performance.
Coach Sean McVay accepted that the travel decision would be scrutinized but said he did not believe it was the primary reason for the defeat.
“I know there’s gonna be a lot of narratives that appropriately put the blame on me, and then we’ll move forward the right way,” McVay said. “I don’t believe (the travel plan) is why we didn’t play well enough. I really don’t.”
Los Angeles was outplayed on offense and defense and struggled to sustain drives throughout the second half.
The contrast between the teams’ preparation nevertheless became difficult to ignore: San Francisco had spent a full week acclimating and engaging with Melbourne, while the Rams had barely completed their journey before taking the field.
What comes next
The 49ers will return home to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The Rams will host the New York Giants on Monday, Sept. 21looking to recover from a season-opening performance that raised questions about their preparation, offense and highly regarded defense.
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