49ers run over Rams down under: Quick hits

The San Francisco 49ers are heading home from Melbourne with a win. Kyle Shanahan's team dominated the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 to open the 2026 season, and while there were certainly some things to clean up, the 49ers looked like the fresher and better team as the game went on. I guess the Rams aren't going undefeated after all.

Here are my quick hits from the 49ers' season opener.

Dominant defense

Raheem Morris' defense had an incredible start to the 2026 season. They weren't great against the run, but that goal-line stand was the turning point. The defense also made Matthew Stafford look like a young QB still trying to figure things out. They still need to get more pressure on the QB, but they did enough in this game to make the Rams' high-powered offense look average.

Welcome back, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel

Mike Evans recorded his first catch as a 49er, then George Kittle and Deebo Samuel followed with their own catches. It was good to see some familiar faces back on the field. Samuel was very active, returning kicks, running the ball, and even scoring a touchdown in his return to the 49ers. I love a motivated Deebo Samuel.

Kaelon Black has a lot of juice

The rookie running back saw plenty of snaps, and you can see why. Kaelon Black has some serious burst. When he sees a hole, he hits it. He finished the game with 14 carries for 65 yards.

Ji'Ayir Brown still has some work to do

Ji'Ayir Brown gave up a big play to Puka Nacua that set up the Rams' touchdown. He continues to make too many coverage mistakes. But to his credit, in the fourth quarter, he almost beheaded a Rams receiver. I liked him on that play.

49ers ran all over the Rams, but not at first

Shanahan didn't exactly try to establish the run in the first quarter. San Francisco ran the ball just three times compared to 14 pass attempts. But they got the run game rolling, rushing for 174 yards, and I think that's where this game really changed. I loved the balance between Black and Christian McCaffrey, who had 68 rushing yards on 10 carries and added five catches for 20 yards. As I mentioned already, Black looked explosive. But McCaffrey seemed to have more juice down the stretch, as well. That's another benefit to splitting carries between the two running backs.

Purdy looked sharp

Other than a bad decision that resulted in an interception, Brock Purdy played an excellent game. He finished 25-of-34 for 205 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. And he used his legs to pick up a few big first downs. But that pass to Demarcus Robinson for a 39-yard touchdown was a thing of beauty.

Some new guys who looked good

Osa Odighizuwa had five QB pressures. Ogbo Okoronkwo pressured Stafford and forced a throw that Renardo Green intercepted. That was only one of Okoronkwo's three QB pressures. Rookie Gracen Halton had a tackle for loss that helped put the Rams in the situation where they had to throw the football. That led to the interception. Evans is going to be a problem on third down. He already looks like someone Purdy will trust when the 49ers need a conversion. Evans finished with six catches for 49 yards and a touchdown

Jake Brendel caught a pass

Yes, you read that correctly. The ball ricocheted off a receiver and somehow ended up in the hands of the 49ers' center. Brendel picked up two yards. Put it in the playbook, Kyle.

Not sure what Jacob Cowing was thinking

Someone tell Jacob Cowing to stop fielding punts at the 4-yard line.

Connor Colby held his own

Connor Colby got the start at left guard and looked solid. That's a good sign considering how much attention there has been on the offensive line heading into the season.

The dagger

If the goal-line stand was the play that changed the game, the 99-yard touchdown drive was the dagger that put it away. That drive was a masterpiece.

Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw brought the energy

Fred Warner forced a fumble that Keion White recovered, but Warner and Dre Greenlaw set the tone. This defense is different with both of them in there.

More Injuries

This is the one area that could put a damper on the win. Shanahan said after the game that Jake Tonges' knee injury "wasn't good" and that the team will need to do more evaluation before knowing the extent of it. The news on De'Zhaun Stribling was better. Shanahan said the wide receiver did not suffer an Achilles injury and that his Achilles is intact. It appears to possibly be an ankle injury, although he'll also undergo further evaluation.

Lots of motion

According to Next Gen Stats, the 49ers used motion at the snap on 65.6% of their offensive plays against the Rams. That's the highest rate in a game during the Kyle Shanahan era, dating back to 2017. Kyle Juszczyk was in motion at the snap on 17 of his 33 snaps. No other 49ers player had more than five such snaps. Was that something they'll do more, or was that just part of this week's game plan?

The team will have 10 days before returning to action against the Miami Dolphins in week two. For now, the 49ers can enjoy the flight home—and being 1-0.

Mentioned in this article: Kaelon Black, Jake Brendel, Ji'Ayir Brown, Connor Colby, Jacob Cowing, Mike Evans, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton, Kyle Juszczyk, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Osa Odighizuwa, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Brock Purdy, Demarcus Robinson, Deebo Samuel, De'Zhaun Stribling, Jake Tonges, Fred Warner, Keion White