The NFL extends its global reach “Down Under” when the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers open their 2026 campaigns in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10.
NFL odds are on the board for this Week 1 NFC West rivalry, which kicks off at 10:35 a.m. AEST on Friday. And if I know my Aussie time zones, that means an 8:35 p.m. ET start the previous February.
Right?
We’ve got a few months to figure out the time jump. In the meantime, I take a closer look at 49ers vs. Rams odds and betting lines for this international affair and give my early NFL picks and predictions for Week 1 in Australia.
Rams vs 49ers early predictions
| Early lean | Odds |
|---|---|
| Total prediction: Under 48.5 | -110 |
Here are our early thoughts on the total for this special Week 1 game. We will have a full game preview to come in September.
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Rams vs 49ers opening odds
Sportsbooks have opened the Los Angeles Rams as 2.5-point neutral-site favorites for this Week 1 trip to Melbourne.
The vig on L.A. -2.5 is priced at -120, indicating a potential move to a field goal should early money show on the Rams.
These divisional foes split their two matchups in 2025.
Los Angeles lost 26-23 to the San Francisco 49ers in overtime as 7.5-point home chalk after rallying from a 20-7 second-half deficit in Week 5.
The Rams returned serve with a 42-26 squash of the 49ers in Levi’s Stadium in Week 10, covering as 5.5-point road faves against an injury-riddled Niners team.
The total for this Week 1 contest is at 48.5 Over/Under.
Both matchups between these teams topped their respective totals in 2025.
In fact, the Rams and 49ers have pumped out an 11-8 O/U count in their meetings since Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan took over as head coaches in 2017, including a 5-1 O/U run in head-to-head games over the past three seasons.
Despite this game taking place on Thursday night in North America (but Friday morning in Australia), it is not the official season opener.
That will be on Wednesday, September 9, and we’ll find out just who is playing in that marquee matchup when the NFL releases the full schedule on Thursday, May 14.
Early Rams vs 49ers total pick: Under 48.5 (-110)
Despite that run for Overs between the Rams and 49ers, I’m leaning Under in this weird Week 1 matchup.
Playing in Australia is cool in theory, but neither head coach has to be happy about this massive travel spot. Both will be working with sports scientists to figure out the best way to combat the 17-hour difference back home in California.
San Francisco has a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, who’s looking to make a splash in the opener after a disastrous run as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He inherits a fantastic 49ers defense on paper, if the Niners can avoid injuries that have plagued this stop unit in recent seasons.
As is the case with all international NFL games, my mind goes to the playing surface. This game takes place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which utilizes a hybrid surface with “natural grass rooted into a synthetic, open-weave fiber mat”.
That system is supposed to offer the durability of artificial turf with the forgiveness of natural grass and holds up for AFL games at the venue.
However, NFL action isn’t as spread out as Australian rules football, and the concentrated wear and tear, especially between the 20-yard lines, has chewed up softer surfaces in other international showcases.
I’ll keep an eye on the weather closer to game day, as any rain for this open-air venue could help muck up the surface and slow the pace of play for both offenses.
Rams vs 49ers odds
- Rams vs. 49ers spread: 49ers +2.5
- Rams vs. 49ers moneyline: Rams -2.5, 49ers +2.5
- Rams vs. 49ers Over/Under: 48.5
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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