Rams' travel gamble could give 49ers the edge in Thursday Night Football's Australia opener
The San Francisco 49ers had a rather disappointing end to their 2025 season.They went into the playoffs looking like one of the more complete teams in football, and they were rinsed by the Seahawks basically from opening kickoff.
This year they come in healthy, but there are an awful lot of questionable designations next to their lineup.They have six players on offense, including Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, and George Kittle, listed as questionable.The Los Angeles Rams line up against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game at SoFi Stadium on Oct.
2, 2025 in Inglewood, California.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)Their defense isn’t looking much better, with five guys listed, including Nick Bosa.
Fred Warner is healthy, though, so that’s a good sign.If the team is fully healthy, it should be among the better in football.
Even when the 49ers haven’t been healthy, they’ve had a strong next-man-up attitude that has made them stay in contention.INJURY BUG BITES 49ERS AGAIN AS TEAM LOSES KEY DEFENSIVE TACKLE DURING PRACTICE IN AUSTRALIAThe Los Angeles Rams are a super team.It is almost comical looking at their roster.
If the Pro Bowl was a thing, you’d basically call this roster a Pro Bowl roster.They were the only team to put up a true fight against Seattle in the playoffs, and they lost a back-and-forth battle.
In the offseason, they added Myles Garrett via trade, and then that drew Aaron Donald out of retirement.A bit of good fortune for the 49ers is that Donald will not suit up.Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec.
22, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J.(AP Photo/Adam Hunger)Offensively, the Rams are still one of the most elite teams in football.
It hinges on the health of Matthew Stafford, but he is coming off of an MVP season and arguably the best one of his career.He still has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to throw the ball t...