Kyle Shanahan is not holding back, claiming the NFL basically let the Los Angeles Rams off the hook by scheduling their “home” game against the 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. The San Francisco head coach has been running his mouth ever since the announcement, most notably saying the Rams actively lobbied to play his squad in this international matchup. The Niners have already been down in Melbourne all week, checking out the city and connecting with the locals who’ll be packing the Melbourne Cricket Ground this Thursday. Shanahan, always ready to talk smack about a rival, believes the league handed the Rams a massive favor by letting them move this game away from SoFi Stadium.
Rams Fans Bailing? Shanahan Says It’s a Fact
Shanahan firmly believes that when the Niners play in Los Angeles, it’s practically another home game for them already. Our man said it himself, “I see it as one home game a year in L.A., just the way our fans take over that stadium.” That’s why he feels the Rams got a pass, adding, “So, it was disappointing to let them off the hook and get them out of that.” Ouch. He expects the exact same vibe down under, with 49ers fans showing up huge and making Melbourne Cricket Ground feel like Levi’s West. If the Rams actually picked the Niners hoping to avoid the same fan takeover issues, only to have it happen in a whole new country, that would be a serious face-plant, wouldn’t it? Of course, there’s always a chance Shanahan is just talking to talk, trying to get into their heads. We won’t truly know until game day hits.
No Film, New Faces, High Stakes
But forget the fan wars for a second, because the real wild card here is the football itself. What cannot be understated is that both teams are heading into this matchup with absolutely no current film on each other from this season. That’s huge. The 49ers brought in some serious talent, adding Mike Evans to their roster. Meanwhile, the Rams went full overhaul, completely rebuilding their defense with superstar playmakers like Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie. They were always planning on that defensive shake-up, so it’s not a shocker. Interestingly, the 49ers also just snagged former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris for their own DC opening. Talk about some serious insider knowledge on both sides. All that familiarity between the two coaching staffs and personnel could definitely play a factor, though Shanahan never publicly weighed in on that timing.
So, get ready for Thursday. This isn’t just an exhibition game across the world. It’s a legitimate early-season clash where everyone’s trying to figure out who’s who, what these new rosters can do, and if Shanahan’s big talk has any real bite on the field. This first look, with zero film to go off of, is gonna be wild.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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