ESPN frames Rams–49ers Australia game as early test of NFL’s global push
ESPN’s preview of all 32 teams places the Los Angeles Rams among the leading contenders as the league prepares for its first regular-season game in Australia.
ESPN has published its 2026 NFL season preview, assessing the strengths, concerns, projections, rankings, depth charts and key statistics for all 32 teams ahead of Week 1.
The season is scheduled to open with reigning champion Seattle hosting New England in a Super Bowl rematch. The following day, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers are due to meet in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. The supplied material does not specify the venue.
ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Rams an 84.9 per cent chance of making the playoffs, the highest probability identified in the preview, and projects them to win 11.3 games. The 49ers are projected for 10.0 wins and a 63.8 per cent playoff probability.
The Rams’ passing game is identified as their major strength, with Matthew Stafford, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua forming the core of the attack. ESPN also flags offensive-tackle depth as a concern, particularly if Alaric Jackson is unavailable. For San Francisco, offensive continuity is balanced against questions over a pass rush that ranked last in the league for sacks in 2025.
The preview combines reporting from NFL Nation, fantasy analysis, quarterback statistics, analytics predictions and FPI simulations. Its player projections and best- and worst-case scenarios are preseason assessments rather than confirmed outcomes; one analyst prediction is that Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson will catch eight touchdown passes, while 49ers running back Kaelon Black will record at least 650 rushing yards.
The regular season is scheduled to conclude with Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium on 14 February. ESPN’s assessment positions the Rams as a leading contender, but the season will determine whether those projections withstand the demands of competition.
