The Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers are ready to renew their annual rivalry, this time with both team's kicking off their season in Melbourne, Australia. While the location has many excited about the game, along with the rivalry's intensity, these three storylines are ones to watch.
Are the Rams equipped to stop the Shanahan offense?
This is a multi-layered question due to Kyle Shanahan's offensive brilliance, along with how his scheme has populated the league. The immediate questions revolve around the Rams' defense and whether they have the tools to contain Shanahan's zone-blocking scheme. On top of that, do they have the ability to stop Shanahan's layered passing attack, in which he uses short underneath passes to open up the rest of the field?
Schematics aside, the Seahawks and
Cardinals also utilize Shanahan's offensive scheme, as their offensive play-callers are ex-Shanahan assistants.
Then, we have to account for Shanahan's tactical brilliance. If I'm Shanahan, I'm using the early portions of the game to figure out how the Rams match up against San Francisco's multi-tight end personnel, and once Chris Shula deploys multiple linebackers, the 49ers should use a fast-tempo offense to take advantage of the Rams' linebackers having to cover space while depleting their energy, with the Rams being unable to substitute.
Shanahan has tricks like that in his bag to control the pen. Is Shula finally wise enough not to fall for it?
Does Matthew Stafford still have the "it" factor?
The reigning MVP appears ready to win the award once again, especially as he returns with the same offense he dominated with last season. The Rams also expanded their multi-tight-end offense, while Puka Nacua remains one of the NFL's best overall offensive playmakers.
Stafford's accuracy and power did not waver in 2025, as his no-look passes gave him a critical edge over the opposition. He torched the 49ers twice last season, but a familiar face now commands San Francisco's defense. Raheem Morris is in charge, and the Super Bowl LVI winner made the Rams' offense look foolish with his Atlanta Falcons defense last season.
So does Stafford still have the "it" factor to win at all costs? Or will familiar faces sour his 2026 debut?
Who will be Jerry Rice this time?
Since Shula took over command of the Rams' defense from Morris, the 49ers – when listed as the road team – have had a receiver go off against Los Angeles, emulating the production of the pass-catching G.O.A.T.
In 2024, it was Jauan Jennings who had 11 receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns. In 2025, it was Kendrick Bourne who had 10 receptions for 142 yards.
Will it be Mike Evans? Perhaps rookie De'Zhaun Stribling? Or maybe a returning Deebo Samuel? Christian McCaffrey has hurt the Rams before and has only grown as a pass catcher within the 49ers offense. Someone is getting constantly bombarded.
Who will it be? Can the Rams stop them? And if so, which defensive back steps up for Shula and company?
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 3 key storylines heading into Rams' Week 1 matchup vs. 49ers
