History was made on Friday (Thursday evening in North America) as the San Francisco 49ers put down a smackdown and beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was the first ever NFL regular season game played in Australia.
There were 100,021 spectators for this memorable NFL game. It was the seventh highest attended NFL game ever.
Based on the preparation both teams put into this game, it should come as zero surprise that the 49ers defeated the Rams by 20 points. The 49ers arrived to Melbourne a week ago, while the Rams only arrived to Melbourne a day ago according to the Associated Press. San Francisco was significantly fresher, while the Rams looked tired and disorganized. Anyway you look at it, San Francisco’s approach was more successful and they picked up a much needed victory as a result.
Like the Wednesday night season opener for the Seattle Seahawks, a key reason why the 49ers got the win came down to defense. A key play was on a fourth down stand where Rams quarterback Matt Stafford was unable to get the pigskin over the goal line.
Stafford was not very effective in passing the football either. He only completed 15 of 25 passes for 155 passing yards and one interception. Linebacker Fred Warner of San Marcos, California led the 49ers with 11 tackles and one forced fumble.
Offensively, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 passing yards and three touchdowns. Purdy’s touchdown passes went 39 yards to DeMarcus Robinson of Fort Valley, Georgia, two yards to Mike Evans of Galveston, Texas and 15 yards to Deebo Samuel Sr. of Inman, South Carolina.
