MELBOURNE, Australia — The Los Angeles Rams touched down in Melbourne just before dawn Thursday, about 28 hours before kickoff of their season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. They plan to fly home before sunset Friday. That leaves about 36 hours on the ground between two flights of about 15 hours each.
Rams coach Sean McVay spoke after a brief practice Thursday at Marvel Stadium, in an availability reported by The Associated Press’ Greg Beacham. McVay remains confident the compressed trip gives the Rams their best chance to open the season with a win over San Francisco, Beacham reported.
“We’re well-rested. We feel good,” McVay said.
Friday’s game at the 100,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground is the first NFL regular-season game played in Australia. Kickoff is set for 10:35 a.m. local time, which is 7:35 p.m. CT Thursday, and the game streams on Netflix. Marvel Stadium, a retractable-roof venue, sits about 3 1/2 kilometers from the MCG.
The Rams left Southern California on Tuesday night. McVay said many of his players got to sleep through the night on the way over from Los Angeles.
“Guys were comfortable, and they seemed fresh,” McVay explained. “Get a good rest tonight, and be ready to rock tomorrow.”
By the time the Rams landed, the 49ers had been in Australia for more than a week. Months ago, the Rams decided to skip extra time abroad, keep their players’ body clocks on California time, and cut down on the distractions of international travel, according to Beacham. Their one day in Melbourne before the game went to rest, a light workout, and a short look around the city.
Sean McVay Ties Melbourne Plan To Rams’ London Trip
Before the Rams left Los Angeles, McVay said Sunday that the plan grew in part out of their trip to London last October for a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams arrived in London on a Saturday morning for a Sunday afternoon kickoff and beat the Jaguars 35-7 at Wembley Stadium. They had spent the week before on the East Coast after playing at the Baltimore Ravens. McVay said the Rams tested the approach with some players and found it positive.
“It doesn’t mean that we think we’re right and a different approach is wrong,” McVay said. “It’s just what we think is best based on the things that we’ve done and what we’ve learned over our time here.”
This time, lie-flat seats were available to every player and coach on the flight. Under McVay, the Rams are 3-0 in international games. All three wins came in London, according to the AP. Receiver Davante Adams said Thursday that other NFL teams probably should copy the plan if it works.
In Australia, the Rams’ short stay has not gone over well with many fans who expected more time with a team trying to build a following in the country, Beacham reported. The Rams are one of four NFL teams with marketing rights in Australia and New Zealand. McVay and the front office have heard the criticism. Holding onto the players’ regular routine for as long as possible drove the decision.
“We wouldn’t do anything if we didn’t think it was best for our players,” McVay said. “I’m not saying we have all the answers, but we wanted to keep our guys in a normal rhythm and routine as long as possible, and we feel like (the plan) is going to be something that suits us well.”
Matthew Stafford, Myles Garrett Open Rams Season Against 49ers
Quarterback Matthew Stafford won NFL MVP honors last season after throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 17 games. His 46 touchdown passes led the league. On the Rams’ travel calendar, Sunday counted as a Wednesday.
“I feel like we’re just keeping it as normal as we possibly can,” Stafford said. “Sunday (is) like a Wednesday for us in our world. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, hop on the plane and go. We obviously have experience with doing it (in a) different direction, all that kind of stuff, I understand last year in London, but it felt like it worked out for us.”
Stafford enters the opener with 423 career touchdown passes. He needs two more to tie Philip Rivers for sixth in NFL history, according to the AP. Stafford is 4-9 in his career against San Francisco.
Defensive end Myles Garrett makes his Rams debut Friday after nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns. The Rams consulted other teams and people on jet lag and long travel, the same as the 49ers did, Garrett said.
“I don’t think there’s any right way to do it,” Garrett said. “They have a plan, and I’m sure they consulted different teams and people to find out a way to combat jet lag and such long travel. We’ve done the same thing. I think we’re both riding our methodologies.”
Stafford played high school football at Highland Park in Dallas. Garrett is from Arlington and played at Arlington Martin High School. Aaron Donald, who ended his 2 1/2-year retirement late last month, stayed in Los Angeles as he ramps up for his return, according to the AP.
San Francisco has won 11 of the 19 meetings between the teams since McVay and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan both became head coaches in 2017. The Rams have won four of the last five. The lone 49ers win in that stretch came in overtime at SoFi Stadium last October. The Rams won the rematch 42-26 on Nov. 9 in Santa Clara, California.
Both teams went 12-5 last season, and both lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the playoffs. Seattle beat the 49ers 41-6 in the divisional round and beat the Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game before winning Super Bowl LX.
The Rams are the designated home team Friday. The rivals meet again in Week 14.
