The hype train was rolling for the Los Angeles Rams leading up to Week 1. Experts left and right have been picking them to win the Super Bowl, applauding their all-in approach by adding Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.
Then the season opener happened and the Rams got punched square in the mouth – by none other than Kyle Shanahan's San Francisco 49ers. It was an embarrassing showing by the Super Bowl favorites, getting run out of the building after taking that long 16-hour flight to Australia only two days before kickoff.
The offense was abysmal, looking out of sorts for the entire game. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum were the only somewhat reliable sources of production, besides the always impressive Puka Nacua, but the passing
game could get nothing going with Matthew Stafford at quarterback. The Rams turned it over twice, one of them being a Stafford interception, and
Final score: 49ers 27, Rams 7
Numbers to know
58.3: The Rams allowed the 49ers to move the chains on 58.3% of their third-down attempts, going 7-for-12 on the day.
10: The Rams failed to score at least 10 points for just the second time in Matthew Stafford's last 85 starts, with the last time also coming against the 49ers.
15: Los Angeles had just 15 first downs, and three of them were by the backups late in the fourth quarter.
It was over when…
... Purdy hit Deebo Samuel for a 15-yard touchdown pass to put the 49ers up 24-7. It capped off an 11-play, 99-yard drive that started after Matthew Stafford was stuffed at the goal line on a fourth-down sneak, which would've made it 17-14. Instead, the 49ers took a three-score lead with their 99-yard touchdown drive to take complete control of the game.
Play of the game
There weren't many to choose from for the Rams, given the lack of big plays made on offense and defense. But Puka Nacua's 41-yard reception in the first quarter set up Kyren Williams' rushing touchdown, showing off his strong hands and physicality after the catch.
Stafford connects with Puka for a big gain!
— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2026
SFvsLAR on Netflix pic.twitter.com/AQsQhquXO8
What's next?
The Rams will now fly home from Australia and get ready for their second game of the season. They'll have some extra time to rest and recover because they don't play again until Sept. 21, which is a Monday night game against the New York Giants in Week 2.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams sleepwalk through Week 1, lose to 49ers by 20: Instant analysis
