The San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, though the setting will be new for both teams. The NFC West rivals will meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia—a matchup that will actually be played Friday morning locally.

The Rams enter the 2026 NFL season as the Super Bowl LXI favorites, making them a challenging Week 1 opponent for the 49ers. However, as divisional rivals, the two organizations know each other well.


49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco at AAMI Park, where the team has been practicing this week. He was asked what it will take to move the football against the Rams' defense.

"I think, always, the main thing is being balanced," Shanahan said. "You've got to be able to run the ball, you've got to be able to throw the ball, you've got to be able to mix it up. If you ever become one-dimensional versus people that are that talented, you're going to be in a lot of trouble.

"That's why I always sell that as a huge team thing. In order to stick with the run, yes, we have to run the ball well; we also have to convert third downs, which means you have to throw the ball well. And in order to be able to stay with that, you've got to play real good on defense and special teams, too.

"So, hopefully, we can play good in all three phases, keep it a balanced game, and find a way to win it in the end."

49ers offense will depend on Brock Purdy and Mike Evans' chemistry


Wide receiver Mike Evans was the biggest offseason addition to the 49ers' offense. He has played 12 NFL seasons and surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all but one, an injury-plagued 2025 campaign.


Evans gives Brock Purdy a big-bodied boundary target and reliable red-zone threat unlike any the quarterback has had during his career. Their on-field chemistry will be key to the offense's success.

"I think they'll work great together," Shanahan said. "Brock's a great quarterback, and Mike's a Hall of Fame receiver. Bringing him here, Mike can do anything. We're going to fit him into our offense the way we've done a lot of things. But also, anytime you get a guy who's built a little bit differently, with his length, with the things he does, it always allows you to add a few other things, too, to isolate on his talents.

"So, we'll work on that as the year goes, but just having a guy out there that's a competitor and just the pro that Mike is, is going to help Brock a lot."

Expectations for De'Zhaun Stribling


In addition to Evans, the 49ers further invested in their receiving corps by using their top draft pick on De'Zhaun Stribling, who has stood out during training camp and the preseason. The 49ers could end up relying on him more than initially expected.

Shanahan discussed his expectations for Stribling in 2026.


"I'm expecting a lot," he said. "I mean, we've got a lot of confidence in him, but he also is a rookie. I hope he's not as good as he's going to be in Week 1. I think he's ready for this challenge. I think he's ready to go, but I really expect him to improve as this year goes, just with route running, playing at the speed of the NFL.

"But we got the right type of guy. We got the right type of talent. When you lose a guy like [WR] Ricky [Pearsall], it did put a lot more pressure on him. He's got to be out there a lot more, he's got to know more positions, and that's why I'm excited with the type of guy we got.

"The way he studies, the way he works, he'll be ready. He won't make mistakes, and then it's about just the experience of going against these NFL corners."

Is Deebo Samuel still a threat?


The 49ers also reunited with veteran wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who had a lot of success with the team earlier in his career. Many question whether Samuel can be that same type of player after years of playing his punishing style of football.

Does Shanahan believe the 30-year-old can still make a significant impact on offense?


"Yeah, I do," Shanahan responded. "Deebo, when he left here, even in '24, when the year didn't go as well, I thought Deebo was the same guy to start the year. He had a few injuries and stuff that it was tough for him to come back on. When you do have those injuries, you get a little bit out of shape, and that makes it harder.

"But Deebo came to training camp this year the way that I've always seen him come to training camp. He's been able to stay healthy. I know we're in Week 1, but I feel great with where he's at now.

"Deebo's always a unique guy. He's going to help you at receiver; he's going to help you at running back. Regardless of what we call him, he's a utility-type player, and hopefully, they'll kick the ball to him a little also so he can get some returns."



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