Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams 27-7 in Melbourne, spoiling the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
Purdy completed 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, finding Demarcus Robinson, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel for scores as San Francisco controlled the contest after half-time.
The 49ers had arrived in Australia a week before the match, while the Rams landed only 28 hours before kick-off. Los Angeles struggled to find rhythm after taking an early lead, although coach Sean McVay rejected suggestions that the team’s travel schedule was responsible for the defeat.
Kyren Williams put the Rams in front with a five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. San Francisco responded before the interval when Purdy connected with Robinson for a 39-yard score, giving the 49ers a 10-7 advantage at half-time.
Mike Evans, making his first regular-season appearance for San Francisco, extended the lead with a two-yard touchdown reception on the opening drive of the third quarter. Purdy then capped a 99-yard possession with a 15-yard pass to Samuel.
The Rams had an opportunity to close the gap late in the third quarter, but Matthew Stafford was stopped short on fourth-and-goal from the San Francisco one-yard line. The 49ers’ defence kept Los Angeles off the scoreboard for the final three quarters.
Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, finished with 155 passing yards and an interception as the Rams’ much-fancied team suffered a heavy opening-week defeat in front of 100,021 spectators.
“They outplayed us in every facet,” McVay said afterwards. “I didn’t do nearly a good enough job. This is a humbling day for us.”
The victory gave San Francisco a winning start to the season and made the 49ers the first team to win an NFL regular-season game in Australia.
