The Los Angeles Rams are rolling out a “dramatic defensive makeover” to kick off the 2026 season, facing division rival San Francisco in the first NFL game ever played in Melbourne, Australia. Why the overhaul? Well, these same Rams got bounced in the NFC title game last year by our own Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Now, they’ve pulled out all the stops, adding reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and former All-Pro Trent McDuffie. If that wasn’t enough, they even talked three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald out of retirement for another Super Bowl run. It’s a whole new unit, designed to complement their explosive offense from last year.
Myles Garrett’s Debut Highlights a Wild Offseason for Both Teams
All eyes will be on Myles Garrett in his Rams debut. The dude was traded from Cleveland for a haul: Jared Verse and first-, second-, and third-round picks. This isn’t just any player; Garrett racked up a record-setting 23 sacks last year while playing for a “decrepit Cleveland Browns team.” Imagine what he can do with a squad that actually holds a lead! He’s set to play alongside Donald, though we won’t see that tandem until at least Week 2. Meanwhile, the 49ers had a tumultuous offseason of their own. They signed Mike Evans and traded for Osa Odighizuwa. They’re also getting George Kittle, Fred Warner, and Nick Bosa back from major injuries, plus they hired a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for the Niners: Coach Kyle Shanahan was injured in a serious car accident, owner Jed York was arrested, and they lost Ricky Pearsall for the season during training camp. Talk about a roller coaster before the season even starts.
Down Under Division Battle: Travel Plans and Game Details
This historic matchup in Australia also brings a fascinating subplot with how each team handled the international travel. The 49ers played it safe, arriving nearly a week ago to adjust to the time difference. The Rams, on the other hand, are flying in hot, spending barely 24 hours in Melbourne after touching down on Tuesday. No matter the outcome, the losing team’s travel strategy is going to face major scrutiny, especially with such wildly different approaches. The game kicks off Thursday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. ET from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and you can stream it on Netflix. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Rams favored by 3.5 points, with an over/under of 48.5. It’s going to be a wild start to the season for both these division rivals.
This opener is going to be absolutely crucial for both teams as they try to set the tone for the year. Can Garrett dominate right away? Will the 49ers’ returning stars overcome their off-field drama? And how much will those travel plans really affect the play? Get ready, football fanatics, this is one you won’t want to miss!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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