For fans in California, the Week 1 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will have a familiar prime-time kickoff at 5:35 p.m. However, for the two teams playing the game, it will be an earlier-than-normal 10:35 a.m. kickoff in Melbourne, Australia.

The 49ers arrived in Melbourne last week, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the time-zone change. The Rams, meanwhile, are scheduled to arrive about a day before kickoff.


"For me, I feel my most normal today," head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday morning in Melbourne (Sunday night for those following the team from California). "So, however many days, I think this is the third day. But I'm doing good, and I think most of the guys are doing real good, too."

As for the early kickoff, the 49ers don't seem too concerned. Running back Christian McCaffrey was asked if there is anything unusual about playing a game so early.

"No, not necessarily," McCaffrey answered. "We, we've been practicing at 10:30 all camp, so I think we're pretty used to that time now."

Of course, as a West Coast team, the 49ers often have to travel to face teams on the East Coast, where early-afternoon games mean 10 a.m. kickoffs for them anyway. So, an early start in Melbourne is just the latest example of the 49ers having to adjust to a different kickoff time.

The 49ers and Rams will face off at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. McCaffrey acknowledged that playing in a new stadium—particularly one that isn't typically used for American football—can present some unique challenges, and the Week 1 matchup will be no different.


"I think one thing, it's always weird when you go into a new stadium that's not a football stadium, is where the game clocks are, hearing calls, hearing audibles, regardless of noise," McCaffrey said. "That's all stuff that you'll adjust to during the game, but some of those challenges, I think, would be more pertinent. I'm not sure about the wind."

McCaffrey also admitted that he hasn't had much of an opportunity to explore Melbourne, mostly venturing out around the team's hotel.

Still, McCaffrey and his 49ers teammates are excited to open the season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and are embracing the entire trip to Australia.

"We're fired up," McCaffrey said. "This has been such a cool experience. Obviously, there's a lot of question marks when you hear you're playing in Australia, but since we've been here, it's been so cool. The people are unbelievable, the food's incredible, the coffee's great, the atmosphere you can already feel it. And it's been a lot of fun, so we're super fired up we're here."

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