The Rams just got absolutely embarrassed, falling 27-7 to the 49ers in the first-ever NFL game played down under in Australia. And right after that season-opening beatdown, Head Coach Sean McVay was already on the defensive, talking about “narratives” and taking “blame” for the loss. He sure sounds like someone whose team just got blown out and knew everyone would be looking for answers.
McVay’s Travel Excuses Don’t Fly After This Beatdown
McVay claims he accepts responsibility for the loss, but he’s not publicly regretting his call to have the team arrive in Australia less than 30 hours before kickoff. He actually said, straight up, “I don’t believe that’s why we didn’t play well enough.” Seriously? He thinks the travel schedule had nothing to do with it? The 49ers, meanwhile, were chilling in Australia for days before the game. McVay swore his team was “ready to play,” but the scoreboard, and the actual game, say something completely different. It’s easy for him to say in hindsight it was a miss, but when your team looks completely gassed and out of sync from the jump, you gotta wonder if that last-minute travel plan was really “best for the football team,” like he claimed.
Stars Faded, 49ers Dominated “Every Phase”
This Rams squad was supposed to be a popular offseason pick to win the Super Bowl, but they looked like anything but a championship team. The numbers are just brutal: Los Angeles was outgained by nearly 100 yards, they converted just 2 of 9 third downs, and allowed the 49ers to convert on over half of theirs. The Niners’ big-time players showed up big time: Brock Purdy tossed three touchdowns, hitting Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel for scores, Christian McCaffrey racked up 88 total yards, and Fred Warner made 11 tackles with a forced fumble. And the Rams’ “stars?” Well, Matthew Stafford had maybe his worst game in recent memory, throwing for only 155 yards with zero touchdowns and an interception. Davante Adams didn’t even get a catch until midway through the third quarter and finished with a measly three receptions. Myles Garrett? No sack, no tackle. McVay tried to explain it away with poor communication and an inability to capitalize on early momentum, but he couldn’t deny the obvious: the 49ers “outplayed us in every phase” and “deserve the win.”
This 27-7 loss is a huge reality check for a team that had Super Bowl dreams heading into the season. McVay said this “will only define us if we allow it to” and that they’ll “learn and grow.” They better, because if this is how they start the season, “humbling” is a massive understatement. It’s back to the drawing board for them.
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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