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.

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