7 days ago
Myles Graham has seen Florida's defense flash its potential throughout the season. The challenge now is making that version of the unit show up consistently.
The Gators took an encouraging step at Texas, overcoming a rough opening two drives before settling in and playing some of their best defense of the season. Graham said the unit gained confidence by playing aggressively, especially when Brad White dialed up the pressure, but still has plenty to clean up ahead of a physical matchup with Georgia.
There's no hiding what this week means to Graham. Florida hasn't beaten Georgia since he arrived in Gainesville, and as one of the veterans responsible for explaining the rivalry to younger players, Graham made his feelings clear: enough is enough.
Here's everything Graham had to say ahead of Florida's matchup with Georgia.
I've seen him grow since day one. The talent has always been there. It was just more of him knowing where to be, where to fit. I've just seen him skyrocket from the first day he got here.
#graham #defense #unit #playing
The Gators took an encouraging step at Texas, overcoming a rough opening two drives before settling in and playing some of their best defense of the season. Graham said the unit gained confidence by playing aggressively, especially when Brad White dialed up the pressure, but still has plenty to clean up ahead of a physical matchup with Georgia.
There's no hiding what this week means to Graham. Florida hasn't beaten Georgia since he arrived in Gainesville, and as one of the veterans responsible for explaining the rivalry to younger players, Graham made his feelings clear: enough is enough.
Here's everything Graham had to say ahead of Florida's matchup with Georgia.
I've seen him grow since day one. The talent has always been there. It was just more of him knowing where to be, where to fit. I've just seen him skyrocket from the first day he got here.
#graham #defense #unit #playing
7 days ago
The Chargers return to the field this Sunday for their Week 8 matchup against the Rams.
Los Angeles had a bye in Week 7 and will look to get their first win of the season this Sunday.
The Chargers are huge road underdogs in this matchup; however, they will take on the hobbled Rams without their best player.
Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Wednesday that edge rusher Myles Garrett will not practice this week. With that being the case, Garrett will be out for the seventh consecutive game.
Garrett underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after Week 1 and has been on the injured reserve since. He'll be back in the lineup next Sunday when they take on the Commanders.
#sunday #matchup #take #angeles
Los Angeles had a bye in Week 7 and will look to get their first win of the season this Sunday.
The Chargers are huge road underdogs in this matchup; however, they will take on the hobbled Rams without their best player.
Rams head coach Sean McVay announced on Wednesday that edge rusher Myles Garrett will not practice this week. With that being the case, Garrett will be out for the seventh consecutive game.
Garrett underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee after Week 1 and has been on the injured reserve since. He'll be back in the lineup next Sunday when they take on the Commanders.
#sunday #matchup #take #angeles
7 days ago
In five games played since he emerged from a two-year retirement, Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has yet to record a sack. During his weekly press conference on Thursday, Donald was asked whether that bothers him.
"No. I didn't come back for individual stats," Donald told reporters. "I would love to have some stats, but I'm here to just play the game. When the plays present themselves, take advantage of it, try to get my plays, but my main focus is trying to find ways to help this team win. That's the goal. I didn't come back to try to earn individual accolades or anything. I did that, accomplished that. It doesn't excite me. The only thing that excites me is winning so I'm just playing a football game, trying to do what I can to help this team. As long as we win, I can build off everything else and get myself better off that."
The Rams have won only three of seven games, and Donald has yet to play with Myles Garrett. Even though it was the trade that brought Garrett to the Rams that lit the fuse to get Donald to return.
Against the Raiders in Week 7, Donald was on the field for 74 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps. It was his highest rate of the season, and the more he's on the field, the more likely he'll be to get some of those stats he'd love to have — even if winning continues to be the focus.
The Rams should get their fourth win of the season on Sunday, against the 0-6 Chargers. If they don't, the Rams will be 3-5 through eight games and dangerously close to having too many losses to play beyond Week 18.
#games #garrett #week #defensive
"No. I didn't come back for individual stats," Donald told reporters. "I would love to have some stats, but I'm here to just play the game. When the plays present themselves, take advantage of it, try to get my plays, but my main focus is trying to find ways to help this team win. That's the goal. I didn't come back to try to earn individual accolades or anything. I did that, accomplished that. It doesn't excite me. The only thing that excites me is winning so I'm just playing a football game, trying to do what I can to help this team. As long as we win, I can build off everything else and get myself better off that."
The Rams have won only three of seven games, and Donald has yet to play with Myles Garrett. Even though it was the trade that brought Garrett to the Rams that lit the fuse to get Donald to return.
Against the Raiders in Week 7, Donald was on the field for 74 percent of the Rams' defensive snaps. It was his highest rate of the season, and the more he's on the field, the more likely he'll be to get some of those stats he'd love to have — even if winning continues to be the focus.
The Rams should get their fourth win of the season on Sunday, against the 0-6 Chargers. If they don't, the Rams will be 3-5 through eight games and dangerously close to having too many losses to play beyond Week 18.
#games #garrett #week #defensive
1 month ago
NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal once admitted that he treats his daughters and sons differently.
Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal has wasted his fair share of money during his playing career, but he learned from his mistakes and created a multi-million-dollar empire in recent years.
Despite having an estimated net worth of about $500 million, all six of O'Neal's children aren't treated equally.
In fact, he once explained that his three daughters, Taahirah, Amirah, and Me'arah, have 'more privileges' than his sons, Myles, Shareef, and Shaqir.
O'Neal made the revelation during an August 2026 appearance on the 'It's Sommer Time' podcast. The LA Lakers legend's reasoning has nothing to do with how close he is with his children.
#children
Former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal has wasted his fair share of money during his playing career, but he learned from his mistakes and created a multi-million-dollar empire in recent years.
Despite having an estimated net worth of about $500 million, all six of O'Neal's children aren't treated equally.
In fact, he once explained that his three daughters, Taahirah, Amirah, and Me'arah, have 'more privileges' than his sons, Myles, Shareef, and Shaqir.
O'Neal made the revelation during an August 2026 appearance on the 'It's Sommer Time' podcast. The LA Lakers legend's reasoning has nothing to do with how close he is with his children.
#children
2 months ago
The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off the 2026 NFL season with a victory over the Atlanta Falcons at home, 20-13. The close score is a reminder that any team can be beaten and shouldn't overlook any potential opponent. The Falcons started Cooper Rush at quarterback and gave the Steelers everything they could handle. The offense has things to clean up, but the Steelers' defense was on full display, including a massive performance from T.J. Watt.
Watt finished his season debut with four pressures, two sacks, two hurries, two tackles, and four defensive stops. PFF awarded Watt a 92.3 defensive grade, 81.4 run defense grade, 73.9 tackling grade, and a 90.8 pass rushing grade. Did I mention the pick-six? I didn't? Well, that's important too, since it was the deciding factor on Sunday.
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen spoke to the media after the game and doesn't understand the criticisms tossed at Watt.
"I saw how they talk about him online," Queen said. "It's crazy how a guy can be dominant for so long, and then one year he gets hurt … and everybody tries to turn the page on him."
Queen isn't wrong. The hoopla of Myles Garrett being traded to the Los Angeles Rams following his record-breaking sack season and DPOY award has pushed Watt out of the conversation because of his injury in 2025. Sunday was a remarkable reminder that with Watt leading the stingy Steelers defense, the EDGE rusher is as good as anyone on any given Sunday.
#season #falcons
Watt finished his season debut with four pressures, two sacks, two hurries, two tackles, and four defensive stops. PFF awarded Watt a 92.3 defensive grade, 81.4 run defense grade, 73.9 tackling grade, and a 90.8 pass rushing grade. Did I mention the pick-six? I didn't? Well, that's important too, since it was the deciding factor on Sunday.
Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen spoke to the media after the game and doesn't understand the criticisms tossed at Watt.
"I saw how they talk about him online," Queen said. "It's crazy how a guy can be dominant for so long, and then one year he gets hurt … and everybody tries to turn the page on him."
Queen isn't wrong. The hoopla of Myles Garrett being traded to the Los Angeles Rams following his record-breaking sack season and DPOY award has pushed Watt out of the conversation because of his injury in 2025. Sunday was a remarkable reminder that with Watt leading the stingy Steelers defense, the EDGE rusher is as good as anyone on any given Sunday.
#season #falcons
2 months ago
Rams' Myles Garrett 'wasn't in the kind of shape' he needed to be before season, NFL insider says originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams are in a bit of turmoil following Myles Garrett's injury to start the season. It's never a good thing when an important player isn't available to do his thing, but that's even more so the case with Garrett, who the Rams obviously did a blockbuster trade to get.
Garrett was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Rams' defense, but he's out. Now, ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is sharing an update about the injury, and it also reveals some telling news about Garrett's health in general.
"The Los Angeles Rams knew that Miles Garrett had a knee injury, knew that he was working through it, knew that he wasn't in the kind of shape, honestly, that he really needs to be to go out and be the best player in football, which he essentially was last year," Rapoport said on Monday in a video shared on X. "They just sort of felt he could go out, manage it, handle it, and still play at a very high level."
He added that the team saw him on the field in Australia and saw he was struggling. So, "their decision was, and Miles Garrett's decision was, have surgery now, fix it, make sure that when he is next back on the field, this will no longer be an issue."
#garrett #knew
The Los Angeles Rams are in a bit of turmoil following Myles Garrett's injury to start the season. It's never a good thing when an important player isn't available to do his thing, but that's even more so the case with Garrett, who the Rams obviously did a blockbuster trade to get.
Garrett was supposed to be the centerpiece of the Rams' defense, but he's out. Now, ESPN and NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport is sharing an update about the injury, and it also reveals some telling news about Garrett's health in general.
"The Los Angeles Rams knew that Miles Garrett had a knee injury, knew that he was working through it, knew that he wasn't in the kind of shape, honestly, that he really needs to be to go out and be the best player in football, which he essentially was last year," Rapoport said on Monday in a video shared on X. "They just sort of felt he could go out, manage it, handle it, and still play at a very high level."
He added that the team saw him on the field in Australia and saw he was struggling. So, "their decision was, and Miles Garrett's decision was, have surgery now, fix it, make sure that when he is next back on the field, this will no longer be an issue."
#garrett #knew
2 months ago
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.— The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2026 season with Super Bowl expectations, a star-studded roster and perhaps more overall talent than any team in the NFL.
Things didn't start so well and after their 27-7 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, one question deserves more attention: Do the Rams have enough game-breaking speed on both sides of the football?
It may seem like a strange question for a roster featuring great talents like Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. But when the Rams were unable to create explosive plays against San Francisco.
Their lack of speed and explosiveness became difficult to ignore.
The offense is built around precision, timing and physicality. Nacua remains one of the NFL's most dangerous playmakers, while Williams has proven capable of producing consistently in the running game. Adams brings Hall of Fame-caliber route running and contested-catch ability.
#Rams #francisco #adams #speed
Things didn't start so well and after their 27-7 season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers, one question deserves more attention: Do the Rams have enough game-breaking speed on both sides of the football?
It may seem like a strange question for a roster featuring great talents like Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Davante Adams, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald. But when the Rams were unable to create explosive plays against San Francisco.
Their lack of speed and explosiveness became difficult to ignore.
The offense is built around precision, timing and physicality. Nacua remains one of the NFL's most dangerous playmakers, while Williams has proven capable of producing consistently in the running game. Adams brings Hall of Fame-caliber route running and contested-catch ability.
#Rams #francisco #adams #speed
2 months ago
One of the biggest and most controversial trades happened this offseason when the L.A. Rams traded for Myles Garrett. The organization entered the season with more expectations than ever, but its campaign began in embarrassing fashion, as the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Rams 27–7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia.
Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (95) poses with general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay at press conference at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The fans were disappointed with star pass rusher Myles Garrett, as his performance was really disappointing and he made virtually no impact in his Rams debut.
During a recent episode of "The Odd Couple," Fox Sports Radio host Rob Parker criticized several members of the Rams before turning his attention to the former Cleveland Browns star and saying:
"Myles Garrett was so terrible. He was a zero. He had nothing. Go look in the box score. His name's not even in there. You know why? He didn't do anything. No pressures. No sacks. No tackles. Nothing—not even a half tackle. Nothing. I would have rather had Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts of Life' than Myles Garrett on my football team last night. That's how bad it was."
#Rams
Jun 2, 2026; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett (95) poses with general manager Les Snead (left) and coach Sean McVay at press conference at Rams Practice Facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The fans were disappointed with star pass rusher Myles Garrett, as his performance was really disappointing and he made virtually no impact in his Rams debut.
During a recent episode of "The Odd Couple," Fox Sports Radio host Rob Parker criticized several members of the Rams before turning his attention to the former Cleveland Browns star and saying:
"Myles Garrett was so terrible. He was a zero. He had nothing. Go look in the box score. His name's not even in there. You know why? He didn't do anything. No pressures. No sacks. No tackles. Nothing—not even a half tackle. Nothing. I would have rather had Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts of Life' than Myles Garrett on my football team last night. That's how bad it was."
#Rams
2 months ago
Arsenal made it four wins from four in the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats played a gritty, physical game, but the Gunners gave as good as they got, and battled to the win. With a massive ***** ist from David Raya saving a, uh, generously awarded penalty that would have made it 1-0 for the bad guys. Minutes later, Bruno Guimaraes put one top bins. Raya made another brilliant save later in the half. Deep in added time, Bruno put Bukayo Saka in on goal, earning a penalty and second yellow to Reinildo. Penalty converted. Game over.
The Sunderland crowd greeted Bruno with a chorus of boos when he replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly at halftime. They take their rivalry with Newcastle seriously. Unfortunately, it was very much a "keep booing, it only makes me stronger" moment. You could see from the little smile on Bruno's face that he was loving it and using it to fuel him. His "I can't hear you" celebration to the crowd after he'd put one on postage stamp was absolute perfection.
Great call from Mikel Arteta to pull Myles Lewis-Skelly at the break. Everything was off from him — poor touches, cheap fouls — it simply wasn't his night. The manager also had to swap Jurrien Timber for Ben White, who appeared to have tweaked his groin. Because when ***** nal get one right back healthy, the other gets injured. That's how it works. Timber was excellent, by the way.
The ***** nal subs that came on later in the second half, Eze, Merino, and Zubimendi, were mediocre to poor. The depth is tremendous but Mikel Arteta has his work cut out for him to keep everyone sharp so that when they are called into action they don't, say, give the ball away the only two times they get on it like Merino did today.
The Gunners could have and should have been ahead at halftime, but once again, they were profligate with scoring chances. Bukayo Saka was caught in two minds on a leaping volley and only managed glancing contact. Kai Havertz shot over the bar from in close. The German striker also forced a smart save with a brilliant control, turn, and volley move. Saka also flubbed two chances in the second half — he picked the wrong pass on a 4-on-2 break and he shot too close to the keeper. The side could do with a bit better finishing, but if you believe (as I generally do) that finishing ebbs and flows, as long as they keep generated the volume of chances, someone is in for a real hiding.
#second
The Sunderland crowd greeted Bruno with a chorus of boos when he replaced Myles Lewis-Skelly at halftime. They take their rivalry with Newcastle seriously. Unfortunately, it was very much a "keep booing, it only makes me stronger" moment. You could see from the little smile on Bruno's face that he was loving it and using it to fuel him. His "I can't hear you" celebration to the crowd after he'd put one on postage stamp was absolute perfection.
Great call from Mikel Arteta to pull Myles Lewis-Skelly at the break. Everything was off from him — poor touches, cheap fouls — it simply wasn't his night. The manager also had to swap Jurrien Timber for Ben White, who appeared to have tweaked his groin. Because when ***** nal get one right back healthy, the other gets injured. That's how it works. Timber was excellent, by the way.
The ***** nal subs that came on later in the second half, Eze, Merino, and Zubimendi, were mediocre to poor. The depth is tremendous but Mikel Arteta has his work cut out for him to keep everyone sharp so that when they are called into action they don't, say, give the ball away the only two times they get on it like Merino did today.
The Gunners could have and should have been ahead at halftime, but once again, they were profligate with scoring chances. Bukayo Saka was caught in two minds on a leaping volley and only managed glancing contact. Kai Havertz shot over the bar from in close. The German striker also forced a smart save with a brilliant control, turn, and volley move. Saka also flubbed two chances in the second half — he picked the wrong pass on a 4-on-2 break and he shot too close to the keeper. The side could do with a bit better finishing, but if you believe (as I generally do) that finishing ebbs and flows, as long as they keep generated the volume of chances, someone is in for a real hiding.
#second
2 months ago
The Cleveland Browns are set to kick off their 2026 NFL season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse (8) is seen prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Heading into this week's season opener, there are a lot of questions surrounding the Browns. How will Deshaun Watson play? Will the new-look defense without Myles Garrett be anything close to what it has been in recent years?
Defensively, the trade of Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams shook up the NFL landscape during the offseason. Garrett was fresh off of breaking the NFL single-season sack record last season in Cleveland. In exchange, the Browns acquired young pass rusher Jared Verse and draft capital.
Ahead of this week's game against the Jaguars, Verse spoke out with a clear warning to Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
#verse #garrett
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse (8) is seen prior to the game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Heading into this week's season opener, there are a lot of questions surrounding the Browns. How will Deshaun Watson play? Will the new-look defense without Myles Garrett be anything close to what it has been in recent years?
Defensively, the trade of Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams shook up the NFL landscape during the offseason. Garrett was fresh off of breaking the NFL single-season sack record last season in Cleveland. In exchange, the Browns acquired young pass rusher Jared Verse and draft capital.
Ahead of this week's game against the Jaguars, Verse spoke out with a clear warning to Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
#verse #garrett
2 months ago
The Cleveland Browns will sport a new defensive look when they take the field on Sunday for their Week 1 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Some of those changes are by design: defensive end Jared Verse replaces Myles Garrett, linebacker Quincy Williams replaces Devin Bush, and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg takes over for Jim Schwartz.
There were some unexpected changes, however, most notably along the defensive line, after defensive end Alex Wright, who was expected to be a starter, was lost for the season to a torn Achilles tendon.
That led general manager Andrew Berry to bring in veterans Sam Williams and Derek Barnett, and Rutenberg to experiment with Michael Hall Jr. at defensive end.
Rutenberg had his weekly press conference on Thursday and addressed several topics. Here are four takeaways from what he had to say.
#jacksonville
Some of those changes are by design: defensive end Jared Verse replaces Myles Garrett, linebacker Quincy Williams replaces Devin Bush, and defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg takes over for Jim Schwartz.
There were some unexpected changes, however, most notably along the defensive line, after defensive end Alex Wright, who was expected to be a starter, was lost for the season to a torn Achilles tendon.
That led general manager Andrew Berry to bring in veterans Sam Williams and Derek Barnett, and Rutenberg to experiment with Michael Hall Jr. at defensive end.
Rutenberg had his weekly press conference on Thursday and addressed several topics. Here are four takeaways from what he had to say.
#jacksonville
2 months ago
Fans will get to see two of the better defenses in the NFL face off in Jacksonville as the Browns fly in to face the Jags in week one. It also happens to be the first game back since October of 2024 for Deshaun Watson, a player who has found immense success over the course of his career vs. the Jaguars.
First though, let's discuss this vaunted Cleveland defense. If not for their putrid offense, this might have been the best unit in the NFL last season. The Browns led the NFL by allowing just 22.6 yards per drive, ranked fourth in yards per play (4.8), and fifth in pressure rate (38.1%).
They also happened to lead the league with 117 tackles for loss on the season.
It's no secret that much of that success can be attributed to one Myles Garrett, but don't overlook who Cleveland got in return for this generation's best pass-rusher. Jared Verse knows how to rush the passer. Since 2024, Verse ranks only behind the previously mentioned Myles Garrett and the Jaguars' very own Josh Hines-Allen in pressures with 157 to his name.
In the secondary, the Browns have a familiar face at cornerback in Tyson Campbell. Following the trade, Campbell actually put together a solid season, allowing a 51% completion rate and eight PBUs. His teammate Denzel Ward also allowed a completion rate under 60%. This is a tough team to find success through the air against, allowing just 167 passing yards per game.
#season #rate
First though, let's discuss this vaunted Cleveland defense. If not for their putrid offense, this might have been the best unit in the NFL last season. The Browns led the NFL by allowing just 22.6 yards per drive, ranked fourth in yards per play (4.8), and fifth in pressure rate (38.1%).
They also happened to lead the league with 117 tackles for loss on the season.
It's no secret that much of that success can be attributed to one Myles Garrett, but don't overlook who Cleveland got in return for this generation's best pass-rusher. Jared Verse knows how to rush the passer. Since 2024, Verse ranks only behind the previously mentioned Myles Garrett and the Jaguars' very own Josh Hines-Allen in pressures with 157 to his name.
In the secondary, the Browns have a familiar face at cornerback in Tyson Campbell. Following the trade, Campbell actually put together a solid season, allowing a 51% completion rate and eight PBUs. His teammate Denzel Ward also allowed a completion rate under 60%. This is a tough team to find success through the air against, allowing just 167 passing yards per game.
#season #rate
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams didn't look like a Super Bowl contender in their season opener.
The Rams, who were dubbed as the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season, looked mediocre in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the 49ers. AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Head coach Sean McVay was out-coached. Quarterback Matthew Stafford played poorly. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was nowhere to be found, recording zeros across the board in his Rams debut.
And Aaron Donald was watching the Australia showdown from LA.
#Rams #season #super #bowl
The Rams, who were dubbed as the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season, looked mediocre in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the 49ers. AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Head coach Sean McVay was out-coached. Quarterback Matthew Stafford played poorly. Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett was nowhere to be found, recording zeros across the board in his Rams debut.
And Aaron Donald was watching the Australia showdown from LA.
#Rams #season #super #bowl
2 months ago
The Cleveland Browns open the 2026 NFL season on Sunday when they take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It is a big day for the Browns as it will be the first time defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg is calling the shots on defense, the first time Todd Monken will work an NFL sideline as a head coach, and the first time quarterback Deshaun Watson will start a game since October of 2024. (How long he remains in that role is very much to be determined.)
Cleveland comes in with a completely rebuilt offensive line, two shiny new rookies in wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, and defensive end Jared Verse taking over for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Expectations and hope are not high for the Browns, especially with the club starting the season with consecutive road games. But Cleveland has won three in a row against the Jaguars, including the past two times they were the road team, so Sunday may go better than expected.
It is the Browns and Jaguars to open the season, and here is everything you need to know about the game.
#Browns #cleveland #sunday #game
It is a big day for the Browns as it will be the first time defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg is calling the shots on defense, the first time Todd Monken will work an NFL sideline as a head coach, and the first time quarterback Deshaun Watson will start a game since October of 2024. (How long he remains in that role is very much to be determined.)
Cleveland comes in with a completely rebuilt offensive line, two shiny new rookies in wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, and defensive end Jared Verse taking over for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Expectations and hope are not high for the Browns, especially with the club starting the season with consecutive road games. But Cleveland has won three in a row against the Jaguars, including the past two times they were the road team, so Sunday may go better than expected.
It is the Browns and Jaguars to open the season, and here is everything you need to know about the game.
#Browns #cleveland #sunday #game
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams didn't get to see much of Myles Garrett this summer after acquiring him in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. He sat out multiple training camp practices due to lower-body soreness, and as the Rams continued preparing for Week 1, he missed time with knee swelling.
Sean McVay never sounded overly concerned about the injury, saying the goal all along was to get him 100% healthy for Week 1. In the coach's mind, they accomplished that. But in Garrett's opinion, he wasn't fully healthy for the start of the season.
The two gave conflicting reports of Garrett's health after Thursday's 27-7 loss to the 49ers. Each held a press conference after the game, and they don't seem to be on the same page when it comes to the condition of Garrett's knee.
After the game, Garrett was asked if he felt 100% healthy going into the game against San Francisco.
"No. I mean, this was the worst version of myself that I've put out there," he said. "I've got to be better. I've got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I've shown that I've been before."
#i 've #garrett #myles #cleveland
Sean McVay never sounded overly concerned about the injury, saying the goal all along was to get him 100% healthy for Week 1. In the coach's mind, they accomplished that. But in Garrett's opinion, he wasn't fully healthy for the start of the season.
The two gave conflicting reports of Garrett's health after Thursday's 27-7 loss to the 49ers. Each held a press conference after the game, and they don't seem to be on the same page when it comes to the condition of Garrett's knee.
After the game, Garrett was asked if he felt 100% healthy going into the game against San Francisco.
"No. I mean, this was the worst version of myself that I've put out there," he said. "I've got to be better. I've got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I've shown that I've been before."
#i 've #garrett #myles #cleveland
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams lobbied the NFL to play the San Francisco 49ers in Australia and paid for it instantly. A 20-point blowout, star acquisition Myles Garrett benched in the second half, and a statement 1-0 start for the 49ers. Be careful what you wish for.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Robin Alam - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Sean McVay had no answers. Suffering his first double-digit defeat in two years, 27-7, the Rams head coach summed up the Melbourne nightmare in three words: "A humbling day."
#Rams #sean #coach #championship
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Robin Alam - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, on Sunday January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
Sean McVay had no answers. Suffering his first double-digit defeat in two years, 27-7, the Rams head coach summed up the Melbourne nightmare in three words: "A humbling day."
#Rams #sean #coach #championship
2 months ago
The hype continued to ratchet through the offseason.
The Los Angeles Rams corralled former Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to stem opponents' passing games, then traded edge rusher Jared Verse and a first-, second-, third-round pick each to acquire Myles Garrett.
Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, would team up with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP.
This, for a team that lost the NFC championship last season by just four points.
So yes, the Rams held the best odds to win the Super Bowl, at +500, per DraftKings. Next in the NFC West came the reigning Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, their 11-1 odds fourth in the league.
#garrett #super #bowl #team
The Los Angeles Rams corralled former Kansas City Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to stem opponents' passing games, then traded edge rusher Jared Verse and a first-, second-, third-round pick each to acquire Myles Garrett.
Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, would team up with quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning MVP.
This, for a team that lost the NFC championship last season by just four points.
So yes, the Rams held the best odds to win the Super Bowl, at +500, per DraftKings. Next in the NFC West came the reigning Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, their 11-1 odds fourth in the league.
#garrett #super #bowl #team
2 months ago
Rams news: Myles Garrett hints that training camp injury caused no-show vs. 49ers appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Myles Garrett wasn't happy with his performance following his Los Angeles Rams debut in their 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia on Thursday night.
Garrett started the 10th year of his career, his first with the Rams. He joined the team after Los Angeles landed him from the Cleveland Browns for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
Garrett shines as one of the best pass rushers in the entire league, having won Defensive Player of the Year twice in 2023 and 2025. He now pairs up with Aaron Donald on defense, as the latter came out of retirement this offseason.
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#clutchpoints #angeles #year #preferred
Myles Garrett wasn't happy with his performance following his Los Angeles Rams debut in their 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in Australia on Thursday night.
Garrett started the 10th year of his career, his first with the Rams. He joined the team after Los Angeles landed him from the Cleveland Browns for Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and a 2029 third-round pick.
Garrett shines as one of the best pass rushers in the entire league, having won Defensive Player of the Year twice in 2023 and 2025. He now pairs up with Aaron Donald on defense, as the latter came out of retirement this offseason.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
#clutchpoints #angeles #year #preferred
2 months ago
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Myles Garrett finally acknowledged his knee injury is more serious than he had been letting on after his quiet debut for the Los Angeles Rams in their season-opening defeat in Australia.
The reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made zero tackles and no impact on the game during the Rams' 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Friday.
Although Garrett missed much of training camp and the Rams' recent weeks of practices to rest his knee, the superstar and the Rams had not floated the possibility he would be unable to play at his best when he began his 10th NFL season. Before his 15-hour flight back to LA, Garrett finally acknowledged he isn't at 100% health.
"This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there, and I've got to be better," Garrett said at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "I've got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I've shown that I've been before."
Garrett didn't want to discuss details of his knee or his overall health after finishing without a tackle for only the fourth time in 135 career NFL games. He wouldn't even say which knee is injured.
#Rams #knee #player
The reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year made zero tackles and no impact on the game during the Rams' 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Friday.
Although Garrett missed much of training camp and the Rams' recent weeks of practices to rest his knee, the superstar and the Rams had not floated the possibility he would be unable to play at his best when he began his 10th NFL season. Before his 15-hour flight back to LA, Garrett finally acknowledged he isn't at 100% health.
"This was the worst version of myself that I've put out there, and I've got to be better," Garrett said at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. "I've got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I've shown that I've been before."
Garrett didn't want to discuss details of his knee or his overall health after finishing without a tackle for only the fourth time in 135 career NFL games. He wouldn't even say which knee is injured.
#Rams #knee #player
2 months ago
The San Francisco 49ers came out firing on every cylinder to deliver a 27-7 beatdown Down Under of the Los Angeles Rams. From the decision to arrive early to their piling on late scoring, how well did Brock Purdy, Kyle Shanahan and the crew do in upsetting the Super Bowl favorites to start the season?
Offense: A-
The old guys ruled. And that Kaelon Black kid wasn't too shabby. A 30-something (Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel) accounted for their three TDs and an almost 40-something, Trent Williams, was the best of the bunch, because you and I had as many tackles, QB hits and sacks as Rams' All-Universe pass rusher Myles Garrett. Less happily, De'Zhaun Stribling and Jake Tonges were carted away in the second quarter. George Kittle was a rumor. Yet Brock Purdy didn't notice. Outside of a horrific interception, Purdy was terrific with his arm, legs and swaggy first-down celebrations. Does Christian McCaffrey finally have a caddy? Yes. Rookie Black looked excellent in a real game after resembling a third-round find in the spring and summer.
Defense: A+
Raheem Morris in 2028? The well-respected new defensive coordinator looked like Bill Belichick (the pre-2022 version) while his unit made the reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford look ordinary. Sorry, correction: not just ordinary, but awful. Having Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw (combined games played for 49ers in 2025: 9) back together did give Morris some added IQ points. The LB duo turned out the lights on the Rams when Greenlaw held up Tyler Higbee and Warner peanut-punched the ball out. The 49ers didn't have a sack, but they made Stafford unsettled. Osa Odighizuwa had four of their eight QB hits, including a pressure that led to Stafford's INT.
#greenlaw
Offense: A-
The old guys ruled. And that Kaelon Black kid wasn't too shabby. A 30-something (Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel) accounted for their three TDs and an almost 40-something, Trent Williams, was the best of the bunch, because you and I had as many tackles, QB hits and sacks as Rams' All-Universe pass rusher Myles Garrett. Less happily, De'Zhaun Stribling and Jake Tonges were carted away in the second quarter. George Kittle was a rumor. Yet Brock Purdy didn't notice. Outside of a horrific interception, Purdy was terrific with his arm, legs and swaggy first-down celebrations. Does Christian McCaffrey finally have a caddy? Yes. Rookie Black looked excellent in a real game after resembling a third-round find in the spring and summer.
Defense: A+
Raheem Morris in 2028? The well-respected new defensive coordinator looked like Bill Belichick (the pre-2022 version) while his unit made the reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford look ordinary. Sorry, correction: not just ordinary, but awful. Having Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw (combined games played for 49ers in 2025: 9) back together did give Morris some added IQ points. The LB duo turned out the lights on the Rams when Greenlaw held up Tyler Higbee and Warner peanut-punched the ball out. The 49ers didn't have a sack, but they made Stafford unsettled. Osa Odighizuwa had four of their eight QB hits, including a pressure that led to Stafford's INT.
#greenlaw
2 months ago
An early Los Angeles Rams celebration poking fun at a widely discussed travel debate backfired spectacularly against the 49ers when San Francisco responded with 24 unanswered points to secure a Week 1 win in Melbourne, Australia.
In the days leading up to this season-opening NFC West matchup, the discourse surrounding the game was less about the players on the field, and more about the way they'd get there from the United States. With the game set to take place in Melbourne on Friday morning local time, each team tried a different approach to account for the 17-hour time difference from California (where it was still Thursday afternoon). The Niners flew out of San Francisco last Wednesday to get acclimated to the new time zone and have a full week of practice. The Rams, meanwhile, did not fly in until the day before the game, with the thought of keeping their players' biological clocks on West Coast time.
It became clear that the Week 1 affair would be a referendum on the superior preparation approach, and, at first, it certainly looked like the Rams made the smarter choice. They were dominant early and scored the game's first touchdown. Los Angeles even made fun of the whole debate early in the second quarter after a bad Brock Purdy pick. The whole defense celebrated in the end zone with players taking a nap on the grass.
However, it proved to be a bit early to spike the proverbial football. The Rams followed up with an inexplicable interception of their own, and the Niners drove 86 yards down the field for their first touchdown of the game. From there, things completely fell apart for Los Angeles as the Raheem Morris-led Niners defense kept the Rams from doing anything, and Kyle Shanahan's offense somehow turned Myles Garrett - the biggest acquisition in the NFL this offseason - completely invisible. San Francisco scored 24 straight points, including seven from a 99-yard drive down the field, and even forced two more turnovers.
Linebacker Fred Warner even gave a response of his own, getting a Steph Curry-style night-night celebration off in his first game since fracturing his ankle last season.
#Rams #game #angeles
In the days leading up to this season-opening NFC West matchup, the discourse surrounding the game was less about the players on the field, and more about the way they'd get there from the United States. With the game set to take place in Melbourne on Friday morning local time, each team tried a different approach to account for the 17-hour time difference from California (where it was still Thursday afternoon). The Niners flew out of San Francisco last Wednesday to get acclimated to the new time zone and have a full week of practice. The Rams, meanwhile, did not fly in until the day before the game, with the thought of keeping their players' biological clocks on West Coast time.
It became clear that the Week 1 affair would be a referendum on the superior preparation approach, and, at first, it certainly looked like the Rams made the smarter choice. They were dominant early and scored the game's first touchdown. Los Angeles even made fun of the whole debate early in the second quarter after a bad Brock Purdy pick. The whole defense celebrated in the end zone with players taking a nap on the grass.
However, it proved to be a bit early to spike the proverbial football. The Rams followed up with an inexplicable interception of their own, and the Niners drove 86 yards down the field for their first touchdown of the game. From there, things completely fell apart for Los Angeles as the Raheem Morris-led Niners defense kept the Rams from doing anything, and Kyle Shanahan's offense somehow turned Myles Garrett - the biggest acquisition in the NFL this offseason - completely invisible. San Francisco scored 24 straight points, including seven from a 99-yard drive down the field, and even forced two more turnovers.
Linebacker Fred Warner even gave a response of his own, getting a Steph Curry-style night-night celebration off in his first game since fracturing his ankle last season.
#Rams #game #angeles
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams won the offseason — Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, oh my! — but they lost their first game of the 2026 NFL regular season.
Bill Plaschke's undefeated season prediction went up in smoke when the San Francisco 49ers blew out the Rams, 27-7, in the NFL's first-ever game in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday night.
Don't let the final score deceive you. It was uglier than that. Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, threw helium **** , and Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was quite literally invisible. The Rams as a whole looked lifeless and, well, jet-lagged.
The 49ers traveled to Melbourne last week, while the Rams decided to wait until Tuesday and landed merely 28 hours before kickoff.
Peter Schrager discussed the differing strategies on his premiere Big Day episode on ESPN:
#garrett #melbourne #game #reigning
Bill Plaschke's undefeated season prediction went up in smoke when the San Francisco 49ers blew out the Rams, 27-7, in the NFL's first-ever game in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday night.
Don't let the final score deceive you. It was uglier than that. Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, threw helium **** , and Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, was quite literally invisible. The Rams as a whole looked lifeless and, well, jet-lagged.
The 49ers traveled to Melbourne last week, while the Rams decided to wait until Tuesday and landed merely 28 hours before kickoff.
Peter Schrager discussed the differing strategies on his premiere Big Day episode on ESPN:
#garrett #melbourne #game #reigning
2 months ago
49ers vs. Rams overreactions: Matthew Stafford loses MVP form, Christian McCaffrey in RB committee & more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Rams were getting hyped as a heavy favorite to win the NFC West and Super Bowl 61 going into the 2026 NFL season. There was even some buzz, with the trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett and the return of tackle Aaron Donald, they would have a dominant enough defense to go undefeated.
That narrative was all blown up by one game. Instead of flexing on their division rival San Francisco 49ers in the first-ever NFL game in Melbourne, Australia, the Rams were the ones dominated in a 27-7 loss to start 0-1.
With the reigning Super Bowl and NFC West champion Seattle winning on Thursday night, the Rams are in last place, with the 49ers joining the Seahawks at 1-0 and the Cardinals not playing until Sunday.
Donald didn't play in the far-away "home" opener. Thanks to the 49ers' offensive line and the rest of their blockers, it also felt like Garrett wasn't playing in the game, either.
#Rams #super #bowl
The Los Angeles Rams were getting hyped as a heavy favorite to win the NFC West and Super Bowl 61 going into the 2026 NFL season. There was even some buzz, with the trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett and the return of tackle Aaron Donald, they would have a dominant enough defense to go undefeated.
That narrative was all blown up by one game. Instead of flexing on their division rival San Francisco 49ers in the first-ever NFL game in Melbourne, Australia, the Rams were the ones dominated in a 27-7 loss to start 0-1.
With the reigning Super Bowl and NFC West champion Seattle winning on Thursday night, the Rams are in last place, with the 49ers joining the Seahawks at 1-0 and the Cardinals not playing until Sunday.
Donald didn't play in the far-away "home" opener. Thanks to the 49ers' offensive line and the rest of their blockers, it also felt like Garrett wasn't playing in the game, either.
#Rams #super #bowl
2 months ago
MELBOURNE, Australia - The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in convincing fashion in their season-opener Friday afternoon (Thursday night in the United States), 27-7, at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
After arriving in Australia a week before kickoff, the 49ers looked far more energized than the Super Bowl-favorite Rams, who touched down just more than 24 hours before the game and appeared visibly exhausted. Last year's NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford, looked helpless against a disruptive 49ers defense, while Brock Purdy diced up the opposition that was littered with big-time offseason acquisitions.
Here are immediate takeaways from the 49ers' commanding first win, in front of an announced crowd of 100,021.
Against a Rams defense that added defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie, the 49ers had little trouble. They converted seven of 12 third downs and totaled 379 yards of offense. The ground game in particular was impressive, where San Francisco averaged 5.9 yards per attempt.
Rookie running back Kaelon Black added some zip to San Francisco's offense - and, as an added bonus, took much of the load off of 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey - rushing for 65 yards on 14 attempts. McCaffrey still featured in the offense, touching the ball 15 times, but his services weren't as needed once San Francisco went up 17 points in the third quarter.
#mccaffrey
After arriving in Australia a week before kickoff, the 49ers looked far more energized than the Super Bowl-favorite Rams, who touched down just more than 24 hours before the game and appeared visibly exhausted. Last year's NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford, looked helpless against a disruptive 49ers defense, while Brock Purdy diced up the opposition that was littered with big-time offseason acquisitions.
Here are immediate takeaways from the 49ers' commanding first win, in front of an announced crowd of 100,021.
Against a Rams defense that added defensive end Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie, the 49ers had little trouble. They converted seven of 12 third downs and totaled 379 yards of offense. The ground game in particular was impressive, where San Francisco averaged 5.9 yards per attempt.
Rookie running back Kaelon Black added some zip to San Francisco's offense - and, as an added bonus, took much of the load off of 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey - rushing for 65 yards on 14 attempts. McCaffrey still featured in the offense, touching the ball 15 times, but his services weren't as needed once San Francisco went up 17 points in the third quarter.
#mccaffrey
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams time in Melbourne, Australia was short-lived and that might be for the best as LA suffered a 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday Night (Friday morning for others). Some might question the Rams decision to fly in the day before the game, although that did not seem to be a significant influence on the outcome in my opinion. Why did the Rams lose? Well here are 4 takeaways from Los Angeles's week one loss to their division rivals.
After picking off a Brock Purdy pass, Stafford turned the ball back over to the San Francisco 49ers on 3rd & 10 from the SF 35. Instead of taking his underneath option (Terrance Ferguson), Stafford tried to force a pass on a deep corner to Puka Nacua. The ball was underthrown; giving SF momentum and taking 3 points off the board for LA. Had the Rams kicked the field goal on 4th down, they would have had a 10-3 lead.
The other self-inflicted mistake was the turnover on downs with 3:46 left in the 3rd quarter. The Rams could not punch the ball in the endzone from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th & Goal (all within the 3 yard line). The latter being 4th & 1/2 yard. Those are simply must-have situations when down 10.
The Rams allowed 30 rushing attempts for 174 yards (5.8 yards per carry). The Rams won't beat a Kyle Shanahan offense with that type of formula. No, it wasn't because Aaron Donald was inactive. The Rams simply did not win the trenches getting pushed off the ball. Chris Shula will need to take a deep look at how to counter the 49ers usage of chips on his edge players as Myles Garrett was a non-factor in rushing the passer but also in defending the run.
The Rams offense was one of the best in 2025 because they were constantly in favorable down & distances. In this game against the 49ers, their 3rd down distances were: 5 yards, 2 yards, 6 yards, 10 yards, 13 yards, 1 yard, 2 yards, 15 yards, and 10 yards. The only true conversion was on 3rd & 2 via a Kyren Williams run. The other conversion was via defensive pass interference call late in the game.
#ball #game #pass #francisco
After picking off a Brock Purdy pass, Stafford turned the ball back over to the San Francisco 49ers on 3rd & 10 from the SF 35. Instead of taking his underneath option (Terrance Ferguson), Stafford tried to force a pass on a deep corner to Puka Nacua. The ball was underthrown; giving SF momentum and taking 3 points off the board for LA. Had the Rams kicked the field goal on 4th down, they would have had a 10-3 lead.
The other self-inflicted mistake was the turnover on downs with 3:46 left in the 3rd quarter. The Rams could not punch the ball in the endzone from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th & Goal (all within the 3 yard line). The latter being 4th & 1/2 yard. Those are simply must-have situations when down 10.
The Rams allowed 30 rushing attempts for 174 yards (5.8 yards per carry). The Rams won't beat a Kyle Shanahan offense with that type of formula. No, it wasn't because Aaron Donald was inactive. The Rams simply did not win the trenches getting pushed off the ball. Chris Shula will need to take a deep look at how to counter the 49ers usage of chips on his edge players as Myles Garrett was a non-factor in rushing the passer but also in defending the run.
The Rams offense was one of the best in 2025 because they were constantly in favorable down & distances. In this game against the 49ers, their 3rd down distances were: 5 yards, 2 yards, 6 yards, 10 yards, 13 yards, 1 yard, 2 yards, 15 yards, and 10 yards. The only true conversion was on 3rd & 2 via a Kyren Williams run. The other conversion was via defensive pass interference call late in the game.
#ball #game #pass #francisco
2 months ago
The San Francisco 49ers thrashed the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 Friday in the NFL's first-ever regular-season game in Australia, quarterback Brock Purdy throwing for three touchdowns to dismantle this season's heavily hyped favorites.
Much of the pre-game talk had surrounded the two California-based teams' wildly different approaches for navigating the epic flight and 17-hour time zone difference to Melbourne and its iconic 100,000-capacity cricket stadium. The Rams had jetted in just the morning before.
How far that affected the game will be debated. But reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and star off-season acquisition Myles Garrett undoubtedly looked sluggish up against their San Francisco counterparts, who arrived a week earlier to acclimatize.
Purdy put on a clinical performance, shrugging off a poor early interception to find Demarcus Robinson with a 39-yard touchdown pass, before finding the dangerous Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in the end zone to seize the game.
"Just so proud of this team. Hey, we embraced going to Australia -- 15-hour flight, we're here the whole week. It was a grind, but we did it," said 49ers tight end George Kittle.
#season
Much of the pre-game talk had surrounded the two California-based teams' wildly different approaches for navigating the epic flight and 17-hour time zone difference to Melbourne and its iconic 100,000-capacity cricket stadium. The Rams had jetted in just the morning before.
How far that affected the game will be debated. But reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and star off-season acquisition Myles Garrett undoubtedly looked sluggish up against their San Francisco counterparts, who arrived a week earlier to acclimatize.
Purdy put on a clinical performance, shrugging off a poor early interception to find Demarcus Robinson with a 39-yard touchdown pass, before finding the dangerous Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel in the end zone to seize the game.
"Just so proud of this team. Hey, we embraced going to Australia -- 15-hour flight, we're here the whole week. It was a grind, but we did it," said 49ers tight end George Kittle.
#season
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams played their NFL Week 1 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.
When do the Rams play next on the 2026 NFL schedule?
Where will Los Angeles play in NFL Week 2?
Who do the Los Angeles Rams play next in their Week 2 NFL game?
Here's what to know about the upcoming schedule for Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davonte Adams, Myles Garrett and the Los Angeles NFL team's NFL Week 2 game.
#angeles #game #schedule #sept
When do the Rams play next on the 2026 NFL schedule?
Where will Los Angeles play in NFL Week 2?
Who do the Los Angeles Rams play next in their Week 2 NFL game?
Here's what to know about the upcoming schedule for Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davonte Adams, Myles Garrett and the Los Angeles NFL team's NFL Week 2 game.
#angeles #game #schedule #sept
2 months ago
The Los Angeles Rams, the heavy Super Bowl favorites entering the season, opened the year in the NFL's first-ever game in Melbourne, Australia, against the San Francisco 49ers. The majority of the attention the Rams have gotten this offseason has been centered on the defensive line, which was bolstered by the acquisition of the NFL's single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald from retirement.
However, Los Angeles also has one of the most potent offenses in the league, with reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford passing to two of the best wide receivers in the league, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Unfortunately for Nacua, he's been caught up in some off-the-field trouble recently.
Ahead of kickoff on Thursday, Nacua sat down with Netflix's Elle Duncan and spoke candidly about his struggles wth alcohol.
"I think I learned that I'm very avoidant of conflict, which is very interesting due to the football nature of… I would like to say I play very physical, just avoidant of the things that I know were causing me stress," Nacua told Duncan.
"Just, I think some of the change in lifestyle that came up to me, becoming a public figure, the stress of performing at a high level," he responded after being asked what was causing him stress. "And then I recently became a father. My son is 10 months old. And navigating that co-parenting relationship with his mother, I would kind of isolate myself to feel like the weight of all the issues and things that I have was stuck on my shoulders, and not being willing to ask for help. I was never one to share my fears and my worries. I was always Finding different ways to escape, I guess, from that tension or that stress."
#recently
However, Los Angeles also has one of the most potent offenses in the league, with reigning league MVP Matthew Stafford passing to two of the best wide receivers in the league, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. Unfortunately for Nacua, he's been caught up in some off-the-field trouble recently.
Ahead of kickoff on Thursday, Nacua sat down with Netflix's Elle Duncan and spoke candidly about his struggles wth alcohol.
"I think I learned that I'm very avoidant of conflict, which is very interesting due to the football nature of… I would like to say I play very physical, just avoidant of the things that I know were causing me stress," Nacua told Duncan.
"Just, I think some of the change in lifestyle that came up to me, becoming a public figure, the stress of performing at a high level," he responded after being asked what was causing him stress. "And then I recently became a father. My son is 10 months old. And navigating that co-parenting relationship with his mother, I would kind of isolate myself to feel like the weight of all the issues and things that I have was stuck on my shoulders, and not being willing to ask for help. I was never one to share my fears and my worries. I was always Finding different ways to escape, I guess, from that tension or that stress."
#recently
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2 months ago
The NFL has its first-ever game in Australia when the San Francisco 49ers and Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the opening edition of Thursday Night Football.
The historic game will be streamed on Netflix and will feature the Los Angeles Rams' debut of their big offseason acquisition, Myles Garrett, though their other big pickup, Aaron Donald, is not playing as he continues his ramp-up from a two-year retirement.
More: Where do the Dallas Cowboys rank on latest NFL power rankings?
Los Angeles is a 4-point favorite in the neutral site game.
The game featuring the San Francisco 49ers starts at 6:35 p.m. CT/7:35 p.m. MT Thursday, Sept. 10, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. It will be televised on Netflix.
#game #francisco #melbourne
The historic game will be streamed on Netflix and will feature the Los Angeles Rams' debut of their big offseason acquisition, Myles Garrett, though their other big pickup, Aaron Donald, is not playing as he continues his ramp-up from a two-year retirement.
More: Where do the Dallas Cowboys rank on latest NFL power rankings?
Los Angeles is a 4-point favorite in the neutral site game.
The game featuring the San Francisco 49ers starts at 6:35 p.m. CT/7:35 p.m. MT Thursday, Sept. 10, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. It will be televised on Netflix.
#game #francisco #melbourne
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2 months ago
In due time, future First-Ballot Hall of Famer Aaron Donald should make the Super Bowl favorite Los Angeles Rams even scarier on paper than they already were. Sure, it's been two seasons since the monster interior pass-rusher last collapsed a pocket, but he's no longer the focal point of the Rams' defense. That honor, of course, belongs to Myles Garrett. For all intents and purposes, we should probably expect lots of fireworks from an older version of Donald, who will be double-teamed a lot less in his second stint with the Rams.
Unfortunately for the Rams and any of us who enjoy watching prolific, all-time pass-rushers, we won't see Donald do that when the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday. Why?
The simple and straightforward answer is that Donald, after being away from pro football for so long, isn't quite physically ready yet to subject his body to the inherent grit and grind of the game. As such, Donald didn't even travel with the Rams to Australia so he could continue focusing on his training and preparation for his eventual season debut.
That's disappointing, but understandable. After all, Donald didn't even join the Rams this year until after they had finished their training camp. For as much as he was undoubtedly doing his own training on the side while sitting in retirement, there's a big difference between that kind of training and getting ready to play physically demanding, high-level football games. The Rams are taking the right approach here because they know what Donald can likely still do at full capacity and understand they can certainly beat the 49ers without him.
It's just a shame that we have to wait a little longer to see one of the greatest football players of all time do his thing again.
#time #even #longer #play
Unfortunately for the Rams and any of us who enjoy watching prolific, all-time pass-rushers, we won't see Donald do that when the Rams play the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday. Why?
The simple and straightforward answer is that Donald, after being away from pro football for so long, isn't quite physically ready yet to subject his body to the inherent grit and grind of the game. As such, Donald didn't even travel with the Rams to Australia so he could continue focusing on his training and preparation for his eventual season debut.
That's disappointing, but understandable. After all, Donald didn't even join the Rams this year until after they had finished their training camp. For as much as he was undoubtedly doing his own training on the side while sitting in retirement, there's a big difference between that kind of training and getting ready to play physically demanding, high-level football games. The Rams are taking the right approach here because they know what Donald can likely still do at full capacity and understand they can certainly beat the 49ers without him.
It's just a shame that we have to wait a little longer to see one of the greatest football players of all time do his thing again.
#time #even #longer #play
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