49ers and Rams set for NFL Australia opener at Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Los Angeles Rams are listed as favourites for Thursday’s 2026 Week 1 meeting, while Aaron Donald is reported to be unavailable.
The San Francisco 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday in the 2026 NFL Australia Week 1 opener.
The Rams are listed as 3.5-point favourites, with the over/under set at 48.5 points, according to CBS Sports. The betting lines may change before kick-off.
Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is reported to be unavailable as he continues conditioning following his return from a two-year retirement. The source package does not independently confirm his absence or establish the availability of other players.
Both teams reportedly finished last season with 12-5 records and tied for second in the NFC West. The Rams lost 31-27 to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, while the 49ers were eliminated by Seattle in the divisional round after a 41-6 defeat.
CBS Sports reports that Los Angeles averaged 30.5 points in 2025, compared with 25.7 for San Francisco. SportsLine’s model, which simulated the matchup 10,000 times, projects 49 total points and recommends the over 48.5 points.
