Home · Sports · Sep 11 archive
Shanahan, McVay brush off teams' differing travel plans as factor in game
Confirmed
In Short: In their first game in Australia, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams faced a unique travel challenge, but both teams' coaches dismissed it as a factor in the game.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay both downplayed the impact of their teams' differing travel plans on the Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia. McVay, in particular, emphasized that the loss to the 49ers was a 'humbling' start to the season.
The 49ers traveled to Melbourne about a week before the game, while the Rams arrived just hours before kickoff. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald did not travel with the Rams, and the team lost several key players, including defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who tore his patellar tendon.
Shanahan acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the 17-hour time difference but remained confident in his decision to travel to Australia. 'I think one thing, it’s always weird when you go into a new stadium that’s not a football stadium, is you don’t know where the game clocks are, hearing calls, hearing audibles, regardless of noise,' he said.
McVay, on the other hand, faced questions about his team's preparation and sleep, but he stood firm, stating, 'I felt that my team was ready to play.' Despite the 27-7 loss, McVay refused to blame the travel schedule, accepting responsibility for the result.
What's confirmed
- San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay both downplayed the impact of their teams' differing travel plans on the Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia. McVay, in particular, emphasized that the loss to the 49ers was a 'humbling' start to the season.
- The 49ers traveled to Melbourne about a week before the game, while the Rams arrived just hours before kickoff. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald did not travel with the Rams, and the team lost several key players, including defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and defensive tackle Alfred Collins, who tore his patellar tendon.
- Shanahan acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the 17-hour time difference but remained confident in his decision to travel to Australia. 'I think one thing, it’s always weird when you go into a new stadium that’s not a football stadium, is you don’t know where the game clocks are, hearing calls, hearing audibles, regardless of noise,' he said.
- McVay, on the other hand, faced questions about his team's preparation and sleep, but he stood firm, stating, 'I felt that my team was ready to play.' Despite the 27-7 loss, McVay refused to blame the travel schedule, accepting responsibility for the result.
What's still developing
- More News: Exclusive: Breakout NFL Executives Who Could Become Future General Managers More News: 4 QBs Generating Serious Trade Buzz Weeks Before NFL Regular Season Starts During his postgame news conference, Rams head coach Sean McVay said he'd make no excuses for his team's loss, including the travel narrative.
- The star running back arrives in Australia as one of the most important pieces of Kyle Shanahan’s offense, with San Francisco hoping to begin its Super Bowl push with a statement victory against one of its biggest NFC rivals.
- McCaffrey returned to full participation during the week and is not carrying an injury designation into the game, putting him on track to be one of Brock Purdy’s most important offensive weapons against the Rams.
- ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe said Penix’s limited preparation was “a huge factor” in Tagovailoa getting the opening assignment.
- MORE: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan uses Australia time difference to dodge injury report Tagovailoa, meanwhile, improved during the final stretch of camp after an uneven start.
- Tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa remain on track to play in the Niners’ opener, but Shanahan isn’t sure exactly how much each veteran star will see the field.
- Broadcast and streaming information for the 2026 NFL Pro Bowl Games in San Francisco.
- “I mean, when I said … that was nothing against Australia or anything. That’s just about competition and how important our 17 games are. It’s cool for us [to come to Melbourne],” Shanahan said.