Overview
- The season opener between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers began Thursday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first regular‑season game in Australia.
- San Francisco arrived in Melbourne about a week early to adjust to the 17‑hour time difference while the Rams flew in roughly a day before kickoff and tried to keep players on U.S. time.
- Aaron Donald is not expected to play Week 1 for the Rams even though he came out of retirement to rejoin the team, while Myles Garrett is set to make his Los Angeles debut.
- Brock Purdy starts with a 3‑0 Week‑1 record for the 49ers and George Kittle’s status was closely watched after limited practice; betting markets listed the Rams at about a 3.5‑point edge.
- The game is nationally streamed on Netflix with local NBC coverage, drew a visible crowd of 49ers fans in Melbourne, and will serve as a real‑world test that could shape future team travel and sleep protocols.