Aussie trip was ‘great’ for Niners; not so for sleepy Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are among the favorites for the Super Bowl. But they fell flat on their weary faces in the Jet Lag Bowl.

Yes, the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers flew halfway around the globe to Melbourne, Australia, to prove the NFL could sell out down under.

What was also proved was a long-standing belief that a person, athlete or not, could be affected by a lack of sleep from a drastic change in time zones.

The Niners went across the Pacific a week early to adjust. The Rams took a chance on going from Los Angeles to Melbourne only a day ahead of the game. Yawn.

Maybe all this is extraneous, but the Niners' 27-7 rout of the Rams appeared to be a partial result of LA’s inability to perform because of weariness.

Not that Rams’ coach, John McVey, would accept anything other than that his team was outplayed.

“Sometimes sports can humble you and today was one of those days,” McVay said to reporters.  That day would be Friday in Australia, where kickoff was at 1030am, or that day would be Thursday in California, where the game began at 5:35 pm.

Yes, there is a 17-hour time difference between Melbourne and California. And the flight itself takes 16 hours.

On their trip a week ago, many of the Niners did little but sleep. Very smart. In the days after arrival, San Francisco players, coaches, and staff did everything but, as the cliché goes, “Throw another shrimp on the barbie.”

 They experienced many of the Aussie wonders, although nobody tried to box a kangaroo.

“Great week,” said a joyful Shanahan, beginning his 10th year as San Francisco’s head coach. “It took us a few days to acclimate. I like how we prepared but more than that I like how we played.” 

And why wouldn’t he?

The 49ers compiled 379 yards running and passing against a Rams team that supposedly had an unbreakable defense after the acquisition of Myles Garrett. 

Los Angeles gained 290 yards. Remember, this was a Rams team with top gun Matthew Stafford at quarterback.

True, this was only one game out of 18, and it is just September, and many things change for better or worse before January. Still, with Deebo Samuel returning, George Kittle, and linebacker Fred Warner healthy once more, the Niners were not unimpressive.

“I liked how we prepared,” said Shanahan, “but more than that I liked how we played. It’s awesome to have the guys back—George and Deebo.”

Brock Purdy completed 25-of-34 pass attempts, including three for touchdowns, ending up with 205 yards and 29 rushing yards. He looks ready. The Niners look ready. 

It’s a long season, but it couldn’t have started better.