The 2026 NFL regular season kicks off with the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Los Angeles Rams. This game takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It’s set for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 8:35 PM, and will be broadcast on NFLX.
Both teams are part of the NFC West, making this an early division game. The 49ers are led by head coach Kyle Shanahan, with Klay Kubiak as the offensive coordinator and Raheem Morris overseeing the defense. The Rams have Sean McVay as head coach, Nate Scheelhaase handling offensive duties, and Chris Shula managing the defense. According to the consensus odds, the Rams are favored with a moneyline of -193, while the 49ers are at +163.
49ers Preview
The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a strong preseason, winning two out of three games. They secured victories against the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers. Their only loss came against the Tennessee Titans at home.
The 49ers’ offense showed its ability to put up points, especially against the Chargers where they scored 41. Adrian Martinez led the quarterback role in preseason, with Jordan Watkins and De’Zhaun Stribling contributing in receiving. The team did not record any fumbles in the preseason, highlighting their ball security.
On defense, Tatum Bethune was a standout player with consistent tackling across all games. The team ranked well last season in sacks and takeaways, which can help them in the regular season. The 49ers are dealing with multiple injuries, including key players like George Kittle and Nick Bosa, which may impact their performance in the upcoming games.
Rams Preview
The Los Angeles Rams had a strong preseason, winning all their games. They won against the Los Angeles Chargers with a score of 20-18. The Rams managed 22 first downs and had no turnovers in that game.
The Rams dominated in their home game against the New Orleans Saints. They shut out the Saints, 34-0, with 28 first downs. Quarterback Stetson Bennett IV threw for 181 yards with no interceptions.
In their first preseason game, the Rams won against the Kansas City Chiefs 20-12. They had a balanced attack with 228 passing yards and 93 rushing yards. Ty Simpson led the offense with 190 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.
Betting Prediction
The Rams have a strong defense, ranking 10th in points allowed per game last season. They allowed only 20.4 points per game. This might help keep the total score lower.
The 49ers also have a solid defense, especially against the run. They ranked 11th in rushing yards allowed per game. This might limit the Rams’ ability to score on the ground.
On offense, both teams have their strengths, but their defenses might slow them down. The Rams scored 30.5 points per game last season, while the 49ers scored 25.7. With both defenses performing well, the total might stay under 48.5.
- Pick: Under 48.5 (-111)
