Overview
- On Friday the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with Brock Purdy throwing three touchdown passes.
- Aaron Donald was inactive for the Rams and Myles Garrett’s highly anticipated debut produced little impact, leaving questions about Los Angeles’ early-season form.
- San Francisco’s week-long early arrival to Melbourne and the return of veterans such as Nick Bosa, George Kittle and Fred Warner were credited with sharper play and better acclimatization.
- The 49ers lost defensive tackle Alfred Collins to a torn patellar tendon before the game and will turn to rookie Gracen Halton for an expanded interior role.
- The match drew about 100,021 fans and was streamed by Netflix, underscoring the NFL’s international push as sports media quickly debated the Rams’ travel plan and its possible effects.