49ers Thrash Rams In NFL's First Australia Game

49ers celebrates

San Francisco 49ers make history with 27-7 win over Rams in Melbourne.

‘We embraced it’ says 49ers dominate Rams in historic Australia match... 

The San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 on Friday in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Australia. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw three touchdowns to take down this season’s heavily favored team.  

Much of the pre-game discussion focused on how the two California teams handled the long trip and 17-hour time difference to Melbourne’s 100,000-capacity cricket stadium. The Rams had only arrived the morning before.  

How much that impacted the game will be argued. But reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and big off-season signing Myles Garrett looked sluggish compared to their San Francisco opponents, who had arrived a week earlier to adjust.  

Purdy was clinical. After an early interception, he bounced back with a 39-yard touchdown to Demarcus Robinson, before connecting with Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Jr for two more scores to put the game away.  

“Just so proud of this team. Hey, we embraced going to Australia - 15-hour flight, we're here the whole week. It was a grind, but we did it,” said 49ers tight end George Kittle.  

The Rams came into this NFL season as the favorites to win the Super Bowl at their home stadium, SoFi in Los Angeles, in February. Their defense looked even stronger with the addition of Garrett.  

But the 100,021 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground the seventh-largest crowd ever for a regular-season NFL game despite a morning kickoff for US TV leaned toward San Francisco.  

“I love when they (Rams) came out and they were booing. We was out here for a week. We enjoyed the city. I don't think you can fly 16 hours and be ready to play,” 49ers receiver Samuel told Australia's Channel Seven.  

San Francisco started fast. They forced a Rams punt, drove into the red zone, and kicked an early field goal.  

Los Angeles did show signs of life when Matthew Stafford connected with Puka Nacua for a 41-yard gain.  

On 2nd & goal, Stafford handed off to Kyren Williams and the running back powered through the middle of the Niners’ defense for a touchdown.  

Purdy then threw a poor pass that was picked off by Quentin Lake. The Rams defense celebrated with a “jet lag” bit, lying down and pretending to sleep in the end zone.  

San Francisco didn’t take kindly to it. Renardo Green intercepted Stafford, and a long drive was finished off by a 39-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to Demarcus Robinson.  

49ers Pull Away After Halftime Show

San Francisco went into halftime with a narrow lead, with the break featuring a Jonas Brothers concert during the game’s global Netflix broadcast.  

The 49ers picked up right where they left off. Christian McCaffrey powered the ball forward with some strong runs that put them back inside the red zone.  

Veteran receiver Mike Evans, signed from Tampa Bay in the offseason and a threat all first half, added to the lead with a short touchdown catch to make it 17-7.  

The Rams pushed back with a long completion to Puka Nacua and got to 1st & goal. But they couldn’t punch it in and turned it over on downs after San Francisco held firm on the goal line.

San Francisco then put together a 99-yard drive capped by Samuel hauling in his third touchdown from Purdy. The QB rolled to his right and found his receiver to make it 27-7.  

With just under three minutes left, coach Sean McVay pulled Stafford. The Rams’ focus quickly shifted to getting on the plane home.  

“I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it's about travel, whatever. We just weren't good enough,” said McVay.

“I didn't coach good enough, and we'll look at it and we'll move forward.”