A regular-season NFL game in Australia is wild on its own, considering the league has never gone further than Europe and Mexico. But it shows how committed the NFL is to international expansion.<\/p>\n
Somehow, for Thursday\u2019s San Francisco 49ers-L.A. Rams game, at Melbourne Cricket Ground, schedule makers slotted kickoff for 8:35 p.m. EST, broadcast on Netflix. That\u2019s 10:30 a.m. Friday, Australia time.<\/p>\n
Divisional rivalry aside, travel, time zone adjustment, and preparation are the big factors.<\/p>\n
Interesting \u2013 both teams took different tactics getting there, halfway around the world. The 49ers have been there a week already. The Rams arrive around 24 hours before kickoff, Australia time. Who will be fresher?<\/p>\n
The big news on Tuesday was that star defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement Aug. 30 to rejoin the Rams, will not travel to Australia for the game. The team wants to give him more time to ramp up before he jumps back into the lineup after two seasons of retirement.<\/p>\n
That means the 49ers won\u2019t have to go up against a terrifying defensive front anchored by Donald and Myles Garrett, added during the offseason.<\/p>\n
Big question marks are whether 49ers stars Nick Bosa and George Kittle get in there. Bosa, coming back from a torn ACL, is expected to play. How much is anyone\u2019s guess. Kittle is attempting a remarkable quick return from a torn Achilles.<\/p>\n
Rams\u2019 quarterback Matthew Stafford won the NFL MVP last year, throwing for 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes. Can the Rams\u2019 offence keep rolling, with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in there?<\/p>\n
On the San Francisco side, the 49ers rebuilt their receiving core, with veteran Mike Evans giving Brock Purdy a big, red zone presence.<\/p>\n
Key matchups? Start with Garrett versus Trent Williams, the elite tackle on the San Francisco side of the ball, which in the end will determine whether Purdy can run the 49ers\u2019 full passing offence. With Donald out, the 49ers can focus more on Garrett, but the Rams can also move Garrett around. That favours the Rams and the under, if Los Angeles can pull that off.<\/p>\n
Another factor is Bosa\u2019s true health. Coming back from an ACL injury, if Bosa can somehow hurry Stafford, that will impact how well Stafford gets the ball out to Nacua and Adams.<\/p>\n
That would push the game over 48.5.<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"Rams vs 49ers Odds<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"