Southern California football fans hoping to catch the Los Angeles Rams kick off their regular season against the San Francisco 49ers will need to set their alarms for an early start. The teams are heading to Melbourne, Australia, for a special edition of Thursday Night Football on September 10, with kickoff scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PDT.
This matchup marks the NFL's first time playing in Australia, setting the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the site for this significant opener. The choice to play so far afield brings an international flair to a rivalry that dates back to 1950, a contest that has only grown hotter over the decades.
The 49ers currently hold a slight edge in the overall series, leading the Rams 79-72-3. San Francisco has also outscored Los Angeles over the rivalry's history, accumulating 3481 total points to the Rams' 3280. Looking at the more recent coaching matchups, since their respective hirings in 2017, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan leads Rams coach Sean McVay 11-8 head-to-head. However, Los Angeles has had the upper hand lately, going 4-1 in the last five meetings between the two teams.
For the Rams' Week 1 roster, there's good news on the injury front. According to NFL.com, the team has not reported any injuries. Defensive end Myles Garrett and wide receiver Puka Nacua, both of whom had reduced participation during parts of training camp, are considered ready for the game. Not making the trip, however, is defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is still getting back into playing shape after a two-season retirement and is not ready for the opener. In other roster news, wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson have reportedly avoided potential suspensions and are both in the fold for Week 1.
Local viewing options for the game are straightforward for Southern California residents. The Rams official website reports that the game will be televised locally on KNBC. For those preferring radio, ESPN LA 710 AM and 93.1 Jack FM will offer a simulcast. Spanish-language radio coverage will be available on Tu Liga Radio 1330 AM. Fans also have a range of streaming services to choose from for the season, including NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube, Peacock, and Paramount+, among others.
