MELBOURNE — The San Francisco 49ers mauled the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in the season opener played Friday morning local time in Melbourne, turning an early 7-3 Los Angeles lead into a 24-0 closing run on Thursday Night Football. San Francisco put up 379 yards of offense in the statement divisional victory, while the Rams were left searching for answers after entering the season as a popular Super Bowl pick.
After Los Angeles went up 7-3 early in the second quarter, it was outscored 24-0 the rest of the way with a fumble, an interception and two turnovers on downs. Brock Purdy threw for 205 yards with three touchdowns, becoming the first San Francisco quarterback with three passing scores in a season opener since Colin Kaepernick in 2013, according to ESPN Research. In his debut with the 49ers, wide receiver Mike Evans had six receptions for 49 yards and a score, while Matthew Stafford threw an interception in scoring range and failed to convert a fourth-down quarterback sneak at the goal line.
The travel plan drew immediate scrutiny. The 49ers spent close to a week in Melbourne acclimating and practicing, while the Rams arrived Thursday morning local time with 28 hours until kickoff and looked tired. "Sometimes sports can humble you and today was one of those days," Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters postgame. "I make no excuses. Whether you want to say it's about travel, or whatever, we just weren't good enough in that window. I didn't coach good enough." McVay added, "I know there's gonna be a lot of narratives that appropriately put the blame on me, and then we'll move forward the right way," and said, "I don't believe (the travel plan) is why we didn't play well enough. I really don't."
Myles Garrett, acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the offseason trade that has put Cleveland fans on extended Rams watch, did not make a tangible impact against standout lineman Trent Williams and finished without a sack or tackle. Garrett missed most of training camp while dealing with what McVay called swelling in his knee and wore a sleeve on his left leg during several practices. "I've got to be better," Garrett said. "I've got to find a way to recover and get back to the player I know I can be and I've shown that I've been before." Asked his focus going into Week 2, Garrett said, "Getting healthy," adding, "When I was out there, I was a little bit more focused on myself and trying to stay healthy than what they were doing, and that showed. I wasn't who I needed to be for my team."
The loss was humbling and embarrassing in equal measure for a Rams roster that led the league in passing efficiency and scoring a year ago but looked pedestrian and out of sync. Sean McVay was outcoached and the better team won, yet the season is far from over with 16 games to go. The Rams must get back home and get back to work, with rumor now circulating that a player who wears No. 99 may be coming back.