The NFL tried to “let the Rams off the hook,” but Kyle Shanahan isn’t having any of it. The San Francisco 49ers head coach believes the Los Angeles Rams were so desperate to avoid playing the Niners at SoFi Stadium that they convinced the league to move their upcoming game all the way to Australia this season. And Shanahan, never one to mince words, made it clear this past Sunday that it won’t matter one bit.
Shanahan’s “Salty” Take on the Australia Switch
Shanahan sounded off in a press conference just days before their Week 1 clash, declaring that the league “let the Rams off the hook” by snatching a 49ers’ “home game” at SoFi and relocating it to Melbourne. ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio even described Shanahan’s attitude about the whole trip as “salty.” The belief from the 49ers camp is clear: the Rams pushed the NFL to export this home game Down Under to dodge the embarrassment of yet another red-clad takeover of their “home” stadium. Shanahan was initially disappointed by the move, feeling the league stripped away a true 49ers advantage at SoFi, where they’ve consistently had an undeniable presence.
Melbourne Won’t Be “Much Different”
But after hunkering down in Melbourne for a few days, Shanahan’s tune shifted. He now believes “it won’t be much different here” in Australia. He fully expects the so-called Faithful to completely take over the 100,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground this Thursday night. Think about that: 100,000 screaming fans for a Week 1 NFL game. Shanahan is predicting a pro-49ers crowd will absolutely dominate. And honestly, can you blame him for thinking the Rams wanted to avoid SoFi? The Rams have lost a staggering six of their last seven regular season home games against the 49ers. While they did snag a playoff win at SoFi in 2022, their regular season record speaks volumes. If the Rams thought giving up home-field advantage to avoid a sea of red was a solution, Shanahan’s message is loud and clear: they’re not escaping it in Melbourne either.
This Thursday marks the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia, and the stakes are already sky-high with this much pre-game drama. Get ready for what looks like a classic Niners-Rams showdown, no matter what continent it’s on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
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