The 49ers kicked off the 2026 NFL season in Melbourne, Australia with a 27-7 win against the Los Angeles Rams. Fans got to see the return of Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Deebo Samuel Sr., and George Kittle, along with Mike Evans making his 49ers debut. Raheem Morris’s defense was on full display, and the 49ers looked sharp on both sides of the ball.
The 49ers totaled 379 yards — 205 passing and 174 rushing — allowed 0 sacks, and committed 1 turnover.
Brock Purdy went 25/34 for 205 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Outside of the pick, Purdy played a clean game. His touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson was an absolute dime, and he added 29 rushing yards on 5 carries.
Christian McCaffrey and Kaelon Black shared the backfield workload, combining for 133 rushing yards. Both runners looked explosive, and Black appears to be the perfect complement to CMC.
Mike Evans posted 6 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown in his 49ers debut. Purdy-to-Evans on third down and in the red zone is something to watch this season. Deebo Samuel Sr. added 6 receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown, looking like the Deebo of old. Demarcus Robinson contributed 2 catches for 50 yards, including a beautiful 39‑yard touchdown.
Overall, the offense looked balanced. The offensive line played a clean game, and George Kittle reminded everyone why he’s so important to the run game. For Week 1, this offense looks like it could be one of the league’s best.
The 49ers defense allowed 290 total yards — 168 passing and 122 rushing — and forced 2 turnovers.
They didn’t record a sack, but they generated enough pressure to force Matthew Stafford into several off‑target throws.
Fred Warner recorded 11 tackles, became the 49ers’ all‑time leader in tackles, and added a forced fumble.
The goal‑line stand at the one‑yard line completely took the wind out of the Rams’ sails.
Overall, the defense looked good but clearly needs more pass rush moving forward. Renardo Green and Marques Sigle stood out and might be players to watch as the season progresses. It will be interesting to see how Raheem Morris generates more pressure in Week 2.
The 49ers’ coverage units kept the Rams’ returners in check all game. Eddy Pineiro was money on 2 of his 3 kicks. Deebo opened the second half with a 45‑yard return, which helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
Offense, defense, and special teams all played well. The 49ers committed only 2 penalties for 21 yards, and the staff had this team prepared despite playing halfway across the world. Kyle Shanahan, Raheem Morris, and special teams corrdinator Brant Boyer deserve a lot of credit for putting together a disciplined, well-executed game plan.
The Rams looked like last year’s Rams in the first quarter, then fell a few steps behind. Whether it was jet lag or simply a rough Week 1, they’ll look to rebound when they face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in Week 2.
The 49ers host the Miami Dolphins in Week 2 at Levi’s Stadium. Miami is coming off a 27–13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 49ers won in all phases against the Rams. A lot will be said about Los Angeles’s travel plans, but they knew when and where the game was. After one week of football, the 49ers look like a well‑balanced team. It will be fun to watch this offense open up as the season goes on. Eyes will be on whether they can generate more pass rush this week. Week 1 showed how solid this team is — and how well they travel. More to come.
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