The San Francisco 49ers are preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season out in Australia. It will be the first-ever NFL game in the land down under. While the game doesn’t take place until Thursday, September 10th, in Melbourne, the opening betting line has been set for the game.
According to DraftKings Sports, the Niners are opening up as 2.5-point underdogs against the arch-rival Rams. In what should be a hotly-contested battle yet again, NFL fans are sure to get a treat at the beginning of what could be one of the best NFL seasons in recent memory.
The San Francisco 49ers Have Had the Advantage Over the Rams
GettyKyle Shanahan took over as head coach of the 49ers in 2017.
Generally speaking, ever since 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, San Francisco has more than held its own in the NFC West, especially against the Rams. Shanahan is 13-5 in his head-coaching career against the Rams. This includes a nine-game winning streak between 2019 and 2023. While Sean McVay and the Rams did win the only playoff matchup between the two (the 2021 NFC Championship Game), the Niners have gotten the better of the Rams.
However, the teams have split the last eight meetings. Seeing as both have Super Bowl aspirations heading into 2026, could this battle in Australia be a potential NFC Championship preview?
Not only have the 49ers done very well against their biggest rival since Shanahan took over, but they have also won more games than they’ve lost against the rest of the division. An overall divisional record of 31-23 in one of the toughest divisions in football over nearly the last decade, the 49ers have compiled a combined record of 19-17 against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. While the ultimate win-loss numbers could be better against the latter two teams, the 49ers have put themselves in a great position multiple times over within their division.
49ers Are Built to Win a Super Bowl Right Now
GettyKyle Shanahan selected QB Brock Purdy with the final pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
It is now or never for the 49ers. After making major moves in free agency, such as signing future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans, and seeing the health improve of star players such as All-Pro tight end George Kittle and others, things are steadily building towards a possibly historic season in the Bay Area.
With that being said, there are two x-factors for Shanahan’s crew. One will be the play of Pro Bowl quarterback Brock Purdy. If he can play like he did when he was fully healthy in 2023, look out. The other x-factor will be health. Year in and year out, it seems as if the 49ers are battling injuries left and right. Last year, along with Kittle, they lost All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner and All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa to major injuries. A Super Bowl will likely be out of their grasp if they can’t seem to stay healthy yet again.
Opening Line Set for 49ers-Rams: Report