Home · Sports · Sep 11 archive
NFL Week 1 Games Preview: Rams vs 49ers in Australia
Confirmed
In Short: The NFL's first-ever game in Australia between the 49ers and Rams highlights Week 1, with predictions and picks from experts.
SportsLine's team of NFL experts have analyzed the 49ers vs. Rams matchup, the first-ever NFL game in Australia, and revealed their two best bets for the game. The NFC West rivals split their season series last year, with the road team winning both matchups. Matthew Stafford had seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in those games, while the 49ers were without key players Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa. The game will be a key division rivalry and a significant test for both teams as they start the 2026 season.
Cohen, a SportsLine expert and host, is evaluating the entire Week 1 NFL slate and delivering score predictions and logic for each matchup. He notes that Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Bills, has struggled in away games, with 10 turnovers in three starts compared to just five passing touchdowns. Bettors can also make exact score predictions, which could be helpful given the unexpected outcomes in the first two games of the season.
The NFL's decision to host this game in Australia has faced criticism, with Fox News pointing out the inclusion of a speech by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin during the pregame ceremony, which some found off-putting. The speech, set in 60,000 years ago, has raised questions about the appropriateness of the narrative in a 9/11 pregame memorial. Despite the controversy, the game is a significant event for both teams and for the league's international expansion.
CappersPicks offers a free NFL football pick based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data for the 49ers vs. Rams game. The article also highlights the best player matchups to watch, including the head-to-head battles between key players like Garrett and Williams. PFF notes that this matchup could carry season-long weight between two teams competing for the NFC West crown, with Smith-Njigba's performance in Super Bowl 60 being a key factor.
What's confirmed
- SportsLine's team of NFL experts have analyzed the 49ers vs. Rams matchup, the first-ever NFL game in Australia, and revealed their two best bets for the game. The NFC West rivals split their season series last year, with the road team winning both matchups. Matthew Stafford had seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in those games, while the 49ers were without key players Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa. The game will be a key division rivalry and a significant test for both teams as they start the 2026 season.
- Cohen, a SportsLine expert and host, is evaluating the entire Week 1 NFL slate and delivering score predictions and logic for each matchup. He notes that Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Bills, has struggled in away games, with 10 turnovers in three starts compared to just five passing touchdowns. Bettors can also make exact score predictions, which could be helpful given the unexpected outcomes in the first two games of the season.
- The NFL's decision to host this game in Australia has faced criticism, with Fox News pointing out the inclusion of a speech by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin during the pregame ceremony, which some found off-putting. The speech, set in 60,000 years ago, has raised questions about the appropriateness of the narrative in a 9/11 pregame memorial. Despite the controversy, the game is a significant event for both teams and for the league's international expansion.
- CappersPicks offers a free NFL football pick based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data for the 49ers vs. Rams game. The article also highlights the best player matchups to watch, including the head-to-head battles between key players like Garrett and Williams. PFF notes that this matchup could carry season-long weight between two teams competing for the NFC West crown, with Smith-Njigba's performance in Super Bowl 60 being a key factor.
What's still developing
- Claim the latest Polymarket promo code CBSSPORTS to get a $50 bonus after $10 in trades : Los Angeles and San Francisco will play the first-ever NFL game in Australia on Thursday, with the NFC West rivals hoping to get off to a strong start.
- It was 60,000 years ago, if you believe Aunty Joy's speech at the Melbourne Cricket Ground before Thursday's game.
- And the obvious question one might ask is why the NFL would accept this narrative being part of what was otherwise a solemn and respectful 9/11 pregame memorial featuring both Americans and Australians?
- As the 2026 NFL season approaches, bettors will race to sportsbooks to make NFL predictions on the spread, in addition to bets on the money line, total or with player props.
- Visit our DraftKings promo code review and get $200 in bonus bets as a new user after $5+ in wagers here : Looking at previous matchups and the score history could help with making these Week 1 NFL bets.
- Pick the winners of this week's games at your own risk.
- Both of them foresee the Texans defeating the Bills despite entering the game as home underdogs.
- Anyone who followed Cohen's NFL predictions on betting sites could have seen strong returns.