Week 1 continues this Thursday with an NFC West clash between the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers. The teams made the long flight down under to Australia to play this standalone game on Netflix.
First, the 49ers are looking to finally make it through a season without getting decimated by the injury bug. But after a long training camp with multiple reports of uncertainty with Christian McCaffrey's health, the Niners will need to pray the football gods are finally back on their side.
In good injury news, however, star tight end George Kittle is back after tearing his Achilles early in the season last year. Kittle, paired with the return of Deebo Samuel — who spent some time in Washington — should be a nice spark to this offense going alongside CMC.
The Rich Get Richer
Why even play the season? Many are crowning the Los Angeles Rams the offseason champs, and it is hard to argue with them.
The Rams, who lost to the Super Bowl champs in the NFC Championship Game, went into the spring wanting to add even more talent to a roster that had the NFL MVP and a first-team All-Pro receiver on it — and oh, did they.
First, they traded for Pro Bowl cornerback Trent McDuffie from Kansas City. Then, what did they do next? Traded for the best defensive player in the world and NFL single-season sack record holder Myles Garrett, who totaled 23 sacks last year.
Who Claims This Week 1 Win Down Under?
The Rams are going to lose some games this year, but this will not be one of them.
This Sean McVay offense... paired with this new and improved Rams defense, will simply be too much for Brock Purdy and the Niners to handle.
Due to the travel, I can see this being a lower-scoring game, but the Rams will find the win at the end.
The Pick
Final Score Prediction: Rams 23, 49ers 13.