MELBOURNE, Australia – The s defeated the Los Angeles Rams in convincing style of their season-opener Friday afternoon (Thursday night time in america), 27-7, at Melbourne Cricket Floor.
After arriving in Australia every week earlier than kickoff, the 49ers seemed way more energized than the Tremendous Bowl-favorite Rams, who touched down simply greater than 24 hours earlier than the sport and appeared visibly exhausted. Final 12 months's NFL MVP, Matthew Stafford, seemed helpless in opposition to a disruptive 49ers protection, whereas y diced up the opposition that was affected by big-time offseason acquisitions.
Listed below are instant takeaways from the 49ers' commanding first win, in entrance of an introduced crowd of 100,021.
Offense hums
Towards a Rams protection that added defensive finish Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie, the 49ers had little hassle. They transformed seven of 12 third downs and totaled 379 yards of offense. The bottom sport particularly was spectacular, the place San Francisco averaged 5.9 yards per try.
Rookie working again Kaelon Black added some zip to San Francisco's offense – and, as an added bonus, took a lot of the load off of 30-year-old y – dashing for 65 yards on 14 makes an attempt. McCaffrey nonetheless featured within the offense, touching the ball 15 instances, however his providers weren't as wanted as soon as San Francisco went up 17 factors within the third quarter.
Purdy took a minute to get adjusted to the brisk Australian morning air, throwing an unpleasant interception to Quentin Lake. The Rams security parked under e's route towards the proper sideline and simply snagged the ball. However Purdy recovered after which some, ending 25-of-34 with 205 yards and three touchdowns.
One in every of San Francisco's latest receivers flashed, too.
s, who signed a three-year cope with the 49ers this previous offseason, dominated the Rams' secondary in his first NFL sport not carrying a Tampa Bay Buccaneers uniform. The 33-year-old gives Purdy a kind of receiver he's by no means had – a real X, jump-ball king that may bail his quarterback out of sticky conditions.
Take Evans' first landing as a 49er as proof. With San Francisco on the Rams' 2-yard line, Purdy merely tossed the ball as much as his 6-foot-5 future Corridor of Famer within the left nook of the tip zone, who climbed the ladder on Jaylen Watson and hauled it in with ease. Evans completed with six catches, 49 yards and a landing.
The 49ers additionally acquired well timed contributions from veteran receivers l and Demarcus Robinson, who every caught a landing whereas combining for eight catches and 98 yards.
San Francisco misplaced rookie extensive receiver g, who was carted off with a decrease left leg damage within the second quarter. The second-round choose went to the blue tent twice on Friday. The primary time, he got here up limping whereas working a route, was dominated questionable and shortly returned to motion. Then, Stribling once more got here up quick whereas working a route, taking two steps off of his break earlier than happening in a heap. He was helped off the sector by trainers, carted off and dominated out.
The protection is … good?
The Rams' jet lag appeared most blatant on the offensive facet of the ball. Constant psychological errors allowed the 49ers to show them. Stafford, 38, seemed way more his age after profitable the battle in opposition to Father Time a season in the past. His decision-making potential wasn't there, which allowed San Francisco's defensive position to create an honest quantity of strain.
Seven quarterback hits and two tackles-for-loss isn't dangerous for a defensive position that scared 49ers followers getting into the season. Even with all of the accidents to that group – s, Alfred Collins and Sam Okuayinonu amongst them – the 49ers basically added two gamers to the unit over the offseason: defensive deal with Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys and … a, who returned to motion for the primary time in practically a 12 months from a torn proper ACL.
Each gamers seemed wonderful on Friday. Bosa collected two TFLs. Odighizuwa racked up 4 QB hits. One other star coming back from damage, r, seemed to be in good well being, poking the ball free from Rams tight finish Tyler Higbee early within the fourth to power a fumble. Within the secondary, gamers flew round. Cornerback Renardo Inexperienced earned an interception and a cross deflection, whereas Jack Jones collected two PDs of his personal.
Stafford, who completed 15-for-25 with 155 passing yards and one interception, had been held beneath 10 factors in simply certainly one of his earlier 84 begins. The final time got here in 2022, additionally in opposition to the 49ers.
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