The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet twice in 2026, with the first matchup coming in the season opener. And while it’ll technically be a home game for the Rams, the game will actually be played internationally in Melbourne, Australia.
Last year, each team took one game in the season series, with the 49ers winning 26-23 in overtime in October, and the Rams winning 42-26 in November.
Now, with months to go before Week 1, ESPN’s Pamela Maldonado has already suggested an early best bet for the contest: under 48.5 points.
“It’s two units from the top 15 scoring defenses from 2025, with the Rams being in the top 10,” Maldonado wrote. “L.A. upgraded its secondary this offseason, then when you add in Melbourne, Australia, as the location … this feels like a matchup where defenses hold the early advantage.”
With Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie joining the Rams this offseason, it’ll be more difficult for the 49ers to score, even if they added some intriguing offensive weapons like Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and De’Zhaun Stribling at wide receiver.
More 49ers: Watch 49ers rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling light it up at first OTAs
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: ESPN analyst suggests best bet for 49ers vs. Rams in Australia
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire | USA TODAY Network
