Sept. 10, 2026Up to date Sept. 11, 2026, 12:23 a.m. ET
Seems the Los Angeles Rams will not be a historic juggernaut. They’re actually no risk to the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
A star-studded L.A. squad some thought would possibly pull off the primary 17-0 common season received completely walloped by the San Francisco 49ers within the NFL’s first regular-season foray into Australia. The Niners’ 27-7 victory not solely seeded doubt in regards to the Rams but in addition reaffirmed San Fran as a bona fide Tremendous Bowl 61 contender on the heels of a 12-5 marketing campaign in 2025 that was really exceptional given the myriad accidents suffered by the 49ers.
Let’s break down the fallout from Down Underneath:
WINNERS
San Francisco 49ers
Duh. They received. However in addition they did so in dominant vogue, principally with a full complement of their stars. After an early interception, QB Brock Purdy was surgical, as he so typically is, finishing 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards and three TDs, together with one every to WRs Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, who weren’t with this crew in 2025. Defensively, DE Nick Bosa and LB Fred Warner had been again for a unit that nearly fully shut down the Rams offense, limiting them to 290 yards, 15 first downs and only one journey to the top zone.
Seattle Seahawks
Duh. They received. Once more. The reigning champs had been at all times going to be a leg up on one in every of their major NFC West foes after a hard-fought win over the New England Patriots in Wednesday evening’s season opener. However beginning the season with a one-game lead over the uber-hyped (overhyped?) Rams must be gratifying for the reigning champs, particularly as they face the prospect of probably taking part in a minimum of one recreation with out injured QB Sam Darnold.
Aaron Donald
Stayed retired in SoCal, for this week anyway. Good man.
Netflix … principally
We’ll take Noah Eagle on the play-by-play mic seven days per week and twice on Thursday (or is it Friday?). Broadcast companion (or is it streaming companion?) and newly enshrined Corridor of Famer Luke Kuechly should study to look into the digicam extra and at Eagle much less. However his repute as a savant who can dissect and decipher movie translated to his analyst position, and he ought to solely get higher. And although Kuechly has a clean-cut “Captain America” picture, his humorousness can also be obvious. Prime Video ought to be jealous of this sales space, although it nonetheless boasts a far superior pre-game present.
NFL worldwide enlargement
Greater than 100,000 of us descended on the Melbourne Cricket Floor – 100,021 to be precise, the seventh-highest attendance for a regular-season recreation in league historical past. And with Netflix airing the sport and persevering with to settle in as a league enterprise companion, the NFL’s seeming goal of world domination continues to realize momentum.
Peter Berg
His “Friday Evening Lights”-inspired intro to Netflix’s manufacturing struck a splendidly nostalgic tone and was one of many highlights of the evening given the mundane nature of the sport itself.
49ers’ journey strategy
Mingling with the locals? Sightseeing? Acclimatizing? Sleeping? Sampling some Vegemite? Just about how anybody would get pleasure from a sojourn to Australia.
LOSERS
Rams’ journey strategy
Thirty-plus hours in an uncomfortable tube – possibly barely extra snug within the Rams’ case – sandwiched round dealing with a succesful NFC West opponent and hoping adrenaline can carry the day? Dumb because it (unsurprisingly) seems, the Rams trying listless for a lot of the competition. Subsequent time, e book a resort, do a river tour, chill out. Win?
Myles Garrett
After his seismic offseason commerce from the Cleveland Browns to L.A., very a lot trying ahead to his Rams debut. Oh wait, he performed!?
Jonas Brothers
Sorry, however who requested for this? The handfuls of individuals milling in regards to the stage in a discount bin model of a Tremendous Bowl halftime present? We hate accountable it on an apparently Jonas-thirsty Aussie Gen-Z demographic, however until you’ve got a greater idea …
De’Zhaun Stribling
Extensively panned in April, when he turned the Niners’ prime draft choose (thirty third total, atop the second spherical), the previous Ole Miss wideout wasted little time proving naysayers unsuitable and establishing himself in what was an injury-riddled San Francisco receiving corps throughout coaching camp and preseason. However then his skilled curler coaster journey took one other flip when Stribling suffered some form of leg harm within the first half that minimize his official league debut brief. The Devoted already thanking God for Evans.
Matthew Stafford
After passing for a league-leading and career-high 46 TD passes on his strategy to league MVP honors in 2025, he didn’t throw a single one in Australia. Stafford, who completed with simply 155 yards and an INT by way of the air, didn’t even end the sport, coach Sean McVay content material to throw within the towel whereas hoping to get his figuratively battered crew again on observe in Week 2.
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