The NFL will open its 2026 season Down Under as the Rams and 49ers face off in Melbourne, Australia, in the league's traditional Thursday Night Football opener. Per Pro Football Talk, the Rams' flight to Melbourne landed Thursday morning local time, leaving the team roughly 28 hours to acclimate before the game. Head coach Sean McVay said the flight went well and that his players seem fresh for the matchup.

Staff at multiple outlets have begun dissecting the matchup. CBS Sports' Will Brinson noted that McVay brings an undefeated international record to Australia, with Matthew Stafford and Myles Garrett leading the Rams' effort. Analysts from VSiN By The Books, per Sportsnet, flagged several risky player prop bets ahead of the game, specifically mentioning concerns around George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Puka Nacua.

In separate news, Yahoo Sports reported the Rams made a contract move involving Quentin Lake to get under the salary cap ahead of the season.