49ers’ 5 keys to winning in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday

MELBOURNE, Australia — Both the 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams ended last season with playoff exits to fellow NFC West power Seattle.

Both the 49ers and Rams open this season as Super Bowl contenders, and they’ll meet as such in the NFL’s Australian debut.
Their itinerary to get here was just as different as their paths will be to potentially reach the Super Bowl in, of all places, Inglewood, usual home of the Rams.

In bypassing a season-opening start there at SoFi Stadium, the 49ers and the Rams bring American football to the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, with kickoff set here Friday for 10:35 a.m. AUST (or today, 5:35 p.m. PT).

It won’t be any closer than it was the last time the Rams were the designated host, when the 49ers pulled out an overtime win in Week 5.

“That was a big moment for us last year as a team,” linebacker Fred Warner said. “Everybody doubted us going into that game, not having a lot of guys available.

“… There was a lot going against us that game and it was a huge win,” Warner added. “Going into this season, it’s a completely new situation, new teams. Everyone is trying to see who you are in Week 1.”

Everyone including a live Australian audience. Here are five things the 49ers must do to prevail:

1. COMEBACKS LAUNCHED

The 49ers were a skeleton unit that somehow reached last season’s divisional round. Well, this season is filled with comeback stories, and all look like they will launch here.

Tight end George Kittle (Achilles), linebacker Fred Warner (ankle), and defensive ends Nick Bosa (knee) and Keion White (ankle) all play a pivotal role in this season’s potential.

Also being celebrated are the returns of linebacker Dre Greenlaw and wide receiver Deebo Samuel, after they played last season in Denver and Washington, respectively.

Kittle and Warner are the 49ers’ most vocal hype men, and their returns are immensely important to lead each side of the ball into battle.

“Whether you see him at practice or you see him in the morning getting oatmeal, George is always going to hit you with the same burst of energy, the same smile,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “Seeing him out there is always going to be a lift.”

2. LIMIT THE AIR MILES

The 49ers must somehow generate a pass rush to slow Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, the NFL’s reigning MVP who has two of the league’s leading receivers back from last season, those being Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

Stafford passed for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns. His 423 career touchdown passes are three shy of surpassing Philip Rivers for sixth-most in NFL history. Nacua had an NFL-high 129 receptions (1,715 yards) and Adams had an NFL-high 14 touchdown receptions.

The 49ers have … Bosa? Honestly, that defensive front is the Niners’ biggest concern, compounded by season-ending injuries in the past week to Sam Okuayinonu (foot) and Alfred Collins (knee).

Raheem Morris, five years removed from winning the Super Bowl as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, must unleash an unpredictable and aggressive attack with a suspect unit. Outside of Bosa and White, perhaps rookies Romello Height and Jaden

Dugger can break out in their NFL debuts. Or perhaps blitzes make someone else a hero.

3. PROTECT PURDY

The 49ers weren’t totally rejoicing over the news that unretired Rams’ star Aaron Donald was delaying his comeback and not making the Rams’ late-night flight.

Myles Garrett did make the trip, and he’ll be making his debut as the Rams’ ultimate pass-rushing threat who got sprung out of Cleveland after a NFL-record 23 sacks last season.

Williams and right tackle Colton McKivitz are familiar with Garrett’s game, as is Purdy, who exchanged friendly banter in last season’s encounter in Cleveland.

Another concern on the 49ers’ offensive line is at left guard, where they’ve alternated between Carver Willis and Connor Colby. Neither will have to block Donald, the former three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

4. NEW TARGETS

Yes, Samuel is back in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, looking to revive his 2021 All-Pro form as a “wide back” who can break tackles in the open field as a receiver or take carries out of the backfield.

But Purdy must come out Week 1 and implement immediate chemistry with new wide receiver Mike Evans and De’Zhaun Stribling. Evans became the Bucs’ all-time leading wide receiver the past dozen seasons, and his height makes him a terrific red zone threat. Stribling, drafted with the first pick of the second round, has looked scintillating through camp and the preseason.

“You all saw a snippet of it in the preseason but he’s an ultimate playmaker,” Evans said. “He’s physical. He’s tough. Great hands. He’s really smart. And he’s low maintenance.”

5. STAMINA BATTLE

The 49ers will have had seven nights to acclimate their bodies and sleep patterns, all while embracing Australia’s culture (see: coffee) and A+ treatment.

The Rams will have had about 24 hours to do the same. Theirs is an in-and-out approach that has come under heavy scrutiny.
With 100,000 fans expected to make this one of the NFL’s most attended games of all-time, the energy will be massive at the start.

But what about as the game drags on and jet lag hits? One team, in the end, will wish this game didn’t require such travel demands and instead was played at SoFi Stadium. After all, that is the target for this season’s ultimate end game.