Rams Trolled Everyone Who Thought the Time Difference Would Affect Them; Then Lost to the 49ers by 20 Points

The Los Angeles Rams made the 16 hour flight from LA to Melbourne just hours before kick off while the Niners had arrived in Australia a week earlier.

Rams Trolled Everyone Who Thought the Time Difference Would Affect Them; Then Lost to the 49ers by 20 Points

The Los Angeles Rams mocked the Niners after scoring a touchdown in Australia (Image via IMAGO/X)

Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams gambled and arrived in Australia just hours before kickoff in the season’s opening game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners, meanwhile, traveled to the land down under a week earlier to acclimate to the local surroundings.

Despite the electrifying atmosphere inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue for Australia’s first-ever NFL game, both teams looked sluggish in the first 15 minutes. LA’s first drive ended in a punt. The Niners took 15 plays in their first drive to score a field goal.

Two more punts followed. In the Rams’ third drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford connected with running back Kyren Williams for a 5-yard rushing touchdown, and their kicker converted a PAT.

In the following drive, Brock Purdy connected with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey to reach the halfway line. On 1st & 10, Purdy attempted another pass, which was intercepted by Rams defender Quentin Lake. Lake and a bunch of Rams players ran inside the 49ers’ end zone and mocked their rivals with a sleep celebration.

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The Rams celebrated too early

When it seemed the momentum had shifted in the Rams’ favor, McVay’s team turned the ball over. Stafford, who had thrown just 8 interceptions in 2025, conceded his first of the 2026 season in this fixture.

Rams Trolled Everyone Who Thought the Time Difference Would Affect Them; Then Lost to the 49ers by 20 Points
Brock Purdy (Image via IMAGO)

Stafford’s intended pass was Renardo Green.

Unlike the Rams, the Niners took full advantage of the slip. Purdy and rookie running back Kaelon Black gained about 86 yards in 9 plays before Purdy threw a touchdown pass to veteran receiver Demarcus Robinson.

The halftime break did little to help the Rams get a pathway back into the tie. Right after the restart, the trio of Purdy, McCaffrey and Black carried the team inside the Rams’ 10-yard line. On 2nd & goal, Purdy threw a floater to Evans, who scored his first touchdown in Niners colors.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, the Niners received possession once more. In a little over five-minute drive, the Niners gained 99 yards on 11 plays. Purdy finished it off with a 19-yard TD pass to Samuel.

A fumble ended the Rams’ chances of a comeback

Stafford led the Rams to a scoring position four minutes into the final quarter. On 2nd & two, the reigning MVP found tight end Tyler Higbee, who used his big frame to gain some extra yardage. However, before Higbee could hit the ground, 49ers All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner punched the ball out of his clutches to force a fumble.

In their final two drives, the Niners scored a 5-yard field goal but missed from 52. In the final moments, the Rams tried to reduce the deficit, but the 49ers defense stood firm. The Niners won 27-7. According to NFL records, 7 is the fewest total the Rams have scored since Stafford became their starter in 2021. It’s the first double-digit loss since 2024.

But those aren’t even the most shocking stats to emerge from this fixture. Myles Garrett, in his Rams debut, finished with 0 tackles and 0 QB hits—only the fourth time in his career. Puka Nacua had more tackles than the reigning NFL defensive player.

Stafford completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. Nacua caught 5 passes for 74 yards, and Blake Corum rushed 10 times for 54 yards.

Purdy threw 25 completions, 205 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. McCaffrey and Black combined for 24 rushes and 133 yards. Robinson caught 2 passes for 50 yards and scored a touchdown, while Evans caught 6 passes for a score. Samuel, on his return to the Niners, had seven touches on the ball, which yielded 60 yards and a touchdown.

The Niners host the Miami Dolphins in their next game. The Rams host the New York Giants.

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