Welcome to the first prime-time game in NFL history to kick off before lunch! Even if the league’s first regular-season trip to Australia didn’t feature two perennially contending NFC West rivals, this game would’ve made the list, simply for the novelty. After exhibiting international games on football pitches, rugby fields and made-for-NFL turfs, the league will be putting on San Francisco-Los Angeles at a cricket ground. Sorry, make that a 173-year-old cricket ground. SoFi Stadium, it isn’t — but that’s the fun. Adding to the special atmosphere: Though the Australia game will be broadcast at 8:35 p.m. ET on a Thursday in the States, the game will kick off at around 11 a.m. Melbourne time … on Friday. Do they even serve Foster’s that early? There are, of course, more pressing on-field matters for the teams. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford and the Rams were thisclose to a Super Bowl berth in 2026 and are looking for a hot start and a divisional win against Brock Purdy’s 49ers, who bowed out in the Divisional Round but split the season series with L.A. last year. San Francisco doesn’t get to benefit from playing in front of the 49ers Faithful who typically pack SoFi, but the Niners should still be competitive against Sean McVay and Co. on the other side of the globe.
