By Marc Lawrebce, PlaybookSports.com — The preseason Super Bowl darlings just went Down Under.
San Francisco mauled the Rams, 27-7, in the NFL’s historic Australian debut, serving notice that the NFC West may be the league’s deepest—and most dangerous—division.
The 49ers’ defense blanked Matthew Stafford from the touchdown column after he tossed at least one scoring pass in every game last season. Meanwhile, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett pulled a disappearing act in his Rams debut: no tackles, no sacks, no quarterback hits. Nothing. Nada. Zip.
With Garrett and the Los Angeles pass rush stuck in customs, Brock Purdy operated from a rocking chair. His 39-yard touchdown strike to Demarcus Robinson gave San Francisco a 10-7 halftime lead—and the rout was just warming up.
Purdy capped a 51-yard opening march in the third quarter with his second touchdown. Then, after the 49ers delivered a goal-line stand, San Francisco traveled 99 yards for the knockout blow and a 24-7 advantage.
Game. Set. Statement.
“Sometimes sports can humble you, and today was one of those days,” Rams coach Sean McVay admitted. “Whether you want to say it’s about travel, whatever, we just weren’t good enough. They deserve the win.”
Indeed. The Rams arrived in Australia wearing the Super Bowl crown in September. They left with a 20-point headache—and a whole lot of explaining to do.
Perhaps they can start by justifying the six days of arrival in Australia over the Rams, FYI: he 49ers landed in Melbourne on the morning of Friday, September 4.
The Rams arrived in Australia wearing the Super Bowl crown in September. They left with a 20-point headache—and a whole lot of explaining to do.
Have a great weekend of wall-to-wall football.
And yeah, it felt good saying that!
