The San Francisco 49ers began their season with a decisive 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. The win saw the return of key players and a dominant performance from the team, though the focus quickly shifted to the challenges of their immediate return to the United States.
Quarterback Brock Purdy led the 49ers to their win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. The team arrived in Australia a week in advance to acclimate, a strategy that appeared to pay off against a Rams team that had spent a significant portion of the preceding days traveling. Linebacker Fred Warner noted that their opponents seemed to "wither away" as the game progressed.
The 49ers showcased a familiar level of authority on the field. Warner, playing his first game since Week 6 of the previous season, teamed with Dre Greenlaw to force a crucial fumble late in the game. Deebo Samuel was a dynamic presence with the ball, including a kick return that set up a scoring drive. Nick Bosa, less than a year removed from tearing his ACL, was a constant threat in the backfield. The presence of George Kittle, nine months after tearing his Achilles tendon, also provided a boost to the team.
Despite the dominant performance, Christian McCaffrey had a relatively light workload, touching the ball only 15 times. The Rams' five losses in the previous season were decided by a combined 17 points, a stark contrast to the 20-point margin of defeat they suffered against San Francisco, even without significant contributions from Kittle or McCaffrey.
While the Rams were without key players like Aaron Donald, who remained in Los Angeles, and reportedly had Myles Garrett at less than 100%, the 49ers' offensive line, led by Trent Williams, provided strong protection for Purdy. Williams notably contained Garrett, preventing him from recording any tackles or pressures. The offensive line opened lanes for the running game, with rookie Kaelon Black emerging as a trusted option alongside McCaffrey, carrying the ball 14 times for 65 yards.
George Kittle acknowledged he was "not in shape" for his first game back, but Purdy found a reliable target in Mike Evans, who had six completions, including a touchdown and three third-down conversions. The 49ers now face the task of replicating this performance under normal conditions after their return to San Francisco.
