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Thursday Night Football is heading overseas for a historic NFC West showdown, and BetMGM is giving new users another reason to tune in. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock up to $1,500 in bonus bets and more as the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers meet in Melbourne for the first NFL regular-season game in Australia.

The Super Bowl favorites come into the matchup with Matthew Stafford back leading the charge for this offense with weapons like Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, while Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett get ready to make their anticipated Rams debut.

San Francisco brings plenty of firepower of its own, with Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey leading the offense and new addition Mike Evans adding another dangerous target. Fred Warner anchors the 49ers defense as the division rivals look to start the international matchup with a win.

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y

*Odds are subject to change*

LA Rams	-3.5 (−115)	O 48.5 (−102)	-205
SF 49ers	+3.53 (−105)	U 48.5 (−118)	+170

How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams

• When: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:35 p.m. ET
• Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/Streaming: Netflix

Players to Watch

For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco.

That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength.

On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener.

In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey’s role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series.

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The NFL is officially back, with the Seattle Seahawks taking down the New England Patriots on Wednesday night. However, that also means we’ve got injury news to deal with ahead of the rest of Week 1. 

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold and Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown both received updates on the injuries that forced them to depart Wednesday’s game early on Thursday. Meanwhile, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was injured during drills ahead of the team’s practice, putting his status for the team’s Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in doubt. 

Here’s what you should know about what happened around the league on Thursday.  

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was set to make his first start with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, but his availability for their matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers is now in question. 

Tagovailoa suffered discomfort during individual throwing drills on Thursday and briefly went to the ground. While he dealt with a lower back injury early in training camp, this latest discomfort is tied to an oblique issue, NFL Network reported. Tagovailoa is reportedly day-to-day. 

If Tagovailoa is sidelined, Cooper Rush will be next in line to start Sunday’s game for the Falcons. He told reporters he took first-team reps on Thursday after Tagovailoa went down. Michael Penix Jr. still hasn’t been cleared to participate in full-contact drills. 

Rush has spent the majority of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and even started several games last season for the Baltimore Ravens. Across 42 career appearances, Rush has completed 61.1% of his passes for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold took an early sack against the New England Patriots and left the game with a hip injury, but he appears to have dodged a bullet. MRI results came back positive, ruling out any major structural damage, according to ESPN. However, his timetable is still to be determined, The Ringer reported.

After Darnold went down, Drew Lock stepped in and rallied Seattle from a 10-point deficit to secure the win. If Darnold misses time, Lock will take the reins starting in Week 2, when the Seahawks head to Arizona to face the Cardinals.

With the win over the Patriots behind them and the Cardinals up next, all attention now shifts to Darnold. While his exact recovery timeline remains unknown, the Seahawks must prepare to navigate the coming weeks with their starting quarterback’s status in question.

After leaving early in the second half against the Seahawks, Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown appears to have avoided a major injury. According to NFL Network, Brown suffered a high ankle sprain and avoided a fracture in his right ankle.

Brown’s ankle was rolled up on when he ran a slant route in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Seahawks, and he struggled to walk after the play. He left the game, did not return, and was later seen leaving the stadium in a walking boot on his right foot.

The timeline for Brown’s return is unknown, as high ankle sprains can require a lengthy recovery. Signs point toward a multi-week absence, with typical recovery ranging from two to six weeks, and the Patriots are expected to take a cautious approach.

Between being limited last night and leaving early with the injury, Brown put up a light stat line. He was targeted four times by quarterback Drake Maye, finishing with three receptions for 26 yards prior to his exit.

After a training camp scare, Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty is officially cleared for Sunday’s season opener against the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Klint Kubiak told reporters that Jeanty is a full participant and ready to play.

If Jeanty is ready to play, his first test will come against a revamped Dolphins defense led by new head coach Jeff Hafley. He ran for 975 yards on 3.7 yards as a rookie in 2025, scoring 10 total touchdowns. Fourth-round rookie Mike Washington is Jeanty’s backup if the second-year running back has any flare-ups. 

Source

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 

The second game of the NFL season is kicking off in Australia, and Kalshi is giving new users another reason to follow Thursday’s international showdown. Use promo code FOXSPORTS to unlock $25 in bonuses ahead of the Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers matchup.

The NFC West rivals arrive in Melbourne with plenty of superstars: Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Myles Garrett and Kyren Williams, in company provide the firepower for the Rams.

San Francisco counters with Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey, while new addition Mike Evans adds another weapon to the 49ers’ offense. Fred Warner leads the defense as San Francisco looks to take down the Super Bowl favorites.

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*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
Los Angeles Rams	64%	65¢	36¢
San Francisco 49ers	36%	36¢	65¢

LA Rams Win by Over 3.5 Points	52%	52¢	49¢
Over 49.5 Points Scored	43%	44¢	57¢
LA Rams Over 31.5 Points	26%	26¢	75¢
SF 49ers Over 24.5 Points	37%	37¢	64¢

More markets available on Kalshi.

How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams

• When: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:35 p.m. ET
• Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/Streaming: Netflix

Players to Watch

For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco.

That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength.

On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener.

In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey’s role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series.

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Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith didn’t mince words when he spoke about true freshman running back Legend Bey.

“Before Legend Bey leaves Ohio State, he will be a Heisman finalist, or he’ll end up winning it,'” Smith told reporters last month. “The things he’s been doing in practice have been pretty special.”

That’s high praise coming from someone many believe to be the best player in the sport, regardless of position. And sure enough, last weekend, fans saw with their own eyes exactly why Smith gave that praise. 

Bey is one of a handful of young Buckeyes — and one Longhorn — I’m keeping my eye on this Saturday when No. 1 Ohio State plays No. 4 Texas.

These players can not only climb the depth chart, but will be counted on as the wear and tear of the season inevitably piles up and the oft-used adage “next man up” becomes a reality.

5. Devin Sanchez, CB, Sophomore

Ohio State DB Devin Sanchez recorded 15 tackles as a true freshman. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

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Sanchez might be the most talented player on the entire Ohio State defense, and with Matt Patricia calling the shots, that translates into a first-round NFL talent at corner for the Buckeyes. 

The 6-foot-2, 199-pound cornerback made just one start as a true freshman, but he played in 13 games last season. He really began to shine in the Buckeyes’ win over Illinois, totaling five tackles and deflecting a pass.

Look for Sanchez on the field in third down situations against Texas. He’s likely going to be lined up against wide receivers Ryan Wingo or Cam Coleman, which is truly a best-on-best matchup.

4. Brock Boyd, WR, Freshman

Ohio State wide receiver Brock Boyd recorded a 22-yard catch in his first game as a Buckeye. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Boyd is perhaps the most underrated player on the Buckeyes’ offense. He left Southlake Carroll in Southlake, Texas, as the school’s all-time leading receiver. But he really emerged as a national prospect after lining up against 2027 No. 1 cornerback and Texas Longhorn John Meredith III as a sophomore and putting JM3 on a poster. Meredith has been looking forward to lining up against Boyd in college ever since.

3. John Meredith III, CB, Freshman

Texas cornerback John Meredith III was a five-star recruit in the 2026 class. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

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Meredith reclassified after the Texas University Interscholastic League declared him ineligible for his senior season, determining that he transferred high schools for athletic purposes. He joined the Longhorns late this summer and saw limited playing time against Texas State. He’s unlikely to have a major impact on Saturday’s game, but he’s worth watching if he checks in. Meredith is a consensus five-star with a gift for closing down wide receivers in coverage and using his 6-foot-2 frame to extend his coverage range.

2. Chris Henry Jr., WR, Freshman

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. had a 15-yard touchdown catch in his first game as a Buckeye. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

–>

The son of late NFL wide receiver Chris Henry is the heir apparent to Ohio State’s No. 1 wide receiver position. That means he’s expected to be as productive and feared as former Ohio State receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Smith. At 6-foot-5, he has great speed, an uncanny ability to quickly unfold that frame against tight coverage and exceptional body control.

Against Ball State last week, he dropped his first two targets. But his third target was a touchdown pass.

He’s in good company. Smith dropped his first-ever target, too.

1. Legend Bey, RB, Freshman

Ohio State running back Legend Bey rushed for 37 yards and added two catches for 27 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

–>

Bey is the next box-office Buckeye. He showed us why when he took a 25-yard swing pass to the end zone in OSU’s Week 1 win. In the process, he juked four Ball State defenders with one move, cut back across the field and broke a tackle for his first touchdown.

That’s the good — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball. The bad is the same — a player who believes he can go for six every time he touches the ball.

He demonstrated that when he didn’t listen to the up man on a kick return, brought the ball out, was tackled and left the Buckeyes with horrible field position. In one game, he appears to be a feast-or-famine player. But I believe that’s just his immaturity on display. When he grows up and stops making mental mistakes, he has the ability to be the most exciting player in the Big Ten.

Source

The New England Patriots will be without their prized offseason acquisition for the next month. 

Wide receiver A.J. Brown is out for at least four weeks due to a high ankle sprain he suffered in the Patriots’ season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday, NFL Network reported Thursday. 

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel suggested that Brown’s status for their Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers was in question when he met with reporters earlier in the day. 

“I don’t know if he’ll be available going forward here for the next week, but we’ll see,” Vrabel said. “Once we get the report, we’ll figure out what the treatment plan is.”

Brown left Wednesday night’s game early in the third quarter following an incomplete pass from Drake Maye. He was falling to the turf as he tried to make the catch, and Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett’s knee made contact with Brown’s ankle, pushing it against the ground.

Brown was initially announced as questionable to return before the Patriots ruled him out at the start of the fourth quarter. He had three catches for 26 yards before the injury, but he also drew a defensive pass interference penalty that set New England up at the 1-yard line for its only touchdown of the game. 

The injury is a blow for an offense that was counting on Brown to fill the void created after the team decided not to bring back Stefon Diggs following a productive 2025 season as the offense’s No. 1 receiver. New England surrendered a first-round pick and a fifth-round pick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire Brown in June. 

Brown, 29, was durable during his four seasons in Philadelphia, playing in all 17 regular-season games in 2022 and 2023, dropping to 13 during the Eagles’ 2024 Super Bowl title season, and then 15 in 2025.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

 

 

Source

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 

Polymarket is giving new users another reason to be hyped about Week 1 in the NFL and the first game played in Australia. New users can use promo code FOX to grab a $50 bonus before the game.

The Rams and 49ers are about to kick off the first-ever NFL game in Australia. There isn’t a better matchup between two division rivals, two teams with major offseason moves and a bunch of superstars coached by two of the best in the game.

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*Probabilities are subject to change* 

Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
Los Angeles Rams	65%	65¢	36¢
San Francisco 49ers	36%	36¢	65¢

LA Rams Win by Over 3.5 Points	52%	52¢	49¢
Over 48.5 Points Scored	47%	47¢	54¢
LA Rams Over 27.5 Points	45%	45¢	57¢
SF 49ers Over 23.5 Points	43%	43¢	56¢

More markets available on Polymarket.

How to Watch 49ers vs. Rams

• When: Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 8:35 p.m. ET
• Where: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
• TV/Streaming: Netflix

Players to Watch

For Los Angeles, the clearest skill position name to watch is Puka Nacua because his availability changed the shape of this matchup. He was not listed on the Rams injury report released Tuesday after dealing with a core issue, and that points to him being expected to handle his usual role against San Francisco.

That matters in a game where both teams enter 0-0 and there is no 2026 production yet to lean on. With the Rams still waiting for regular season statistical leaders to emerge, Nacua stands out as a proven focal point whose health is one of the most relevant developments going into this opener. If he is moving freely, Los Angeles gets a major piece of its passing game back at full strength.

On the San Francisco side, Christian McCaffrey is central because the 49ers expect him to step right back into his regular role. He was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report after his status had been watched through camp, and the latest update points to him being back at 100 percent for this opener.

In a Week 1 game with no 2026 team production on the board yet, that kind of clarity matters. San Francisco does not have official statistical leaders established for the regular season, so McCaffrey’s role becomes one of the strongest grounded indicators of where the offense can flow early. His involvement would give the 49ers their most dependable all purpose threat and a steady way to test the Rams from the opening series.

]–>

Source

If you invite a die-hard Michigan fan to a live show and give him the chance to build his all-time Wolverines football team, you better be ready for some debate.

Dave Portnoy, one of Michigan’s most passionate — and outspoken — fans, was given that opportunity Thursday during a special live edition of “The Joel Klatt Show” in Ann Arbor ahead of Saturday’s showdown between Michigan and Oklahoma (noon ET, FOX).

Klatt asked Portnoy to select an all-time Michigan team consisting of a quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and one defensive player. Portnoy selected a recent national champion at quarterback, a legendary running back, two of the program’s most dynamic receivers and perhaps the greatest player in school history on defense.

Here’s who made Portnoy’s all-time Michigan team:

QB: J.J. McCarthy, 2021-2023

Career stats: 482-of-713 passing (67.6%) for 6,226 passing yards, 49 passing TDs, and 11 INTs; 161 carries for 632 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs.

Portnoy’s thoughts: “To me, it’s a no-brainer. It’s not even close. If you’re saying you need a QB for the NFL, it’s [Tom] Brady, clearly. But [McCarthy’s] record was 27-1 as a starter. You gotta remember, before he came here, we couldn’t beat Ohio State. He turned the whole program around. Michigan was down, and when McCarthy came in, everything turned.

“I wanted Jim Harbaugh gone. … Every year we were getting drummed [by Ohio State]. There were some down years. But, McCarthy’s record, him winning the national championship. … I don’t know how anybody could say anybody but him.”

RB: Tim Biakabutuka, 1993-1995

Career stats: 434 carries, 2,624 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, 12 receptions, 121 receiving yards.

Portnoy’s Thoughts: “I’m going with Biakabutuka. He had 313 yards against Ohio State, which was the No. 2 team in the country at the time and undefeated. He made them look bad. I loved Biakabutuka. I had a crush on Biakabutuka.”

WRs: Desmond Howard ( 1988-91), Anthony Carter (1979-82)

Career stats: Howard: 134 receptions for 2,146 receiving yards (16.0 YPR) and 32 receiving TDs; 23 rushes for 249 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs; 45 kickoff returns for 1,211 yards and 2 TDs; 26 punt returns for 337 yards and 1 TD

Carter: 161 receptions for 3,076 receiving yards (19.1 YPR) and 37 receiving TDs; 36 rushes for 213 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD; 79 punt returns for 907 yards and 2 TDs; 63 kickoff returns for 1,606 yards (40 total touchdowns).

Portnoy’s thoughts: “I want Desmond [Howard] and Anthony Carter. I’m down with that.”

Defense: Charles Woodson, 1995-1997

Career stats: 21 receptions, 370 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, 167 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs, 16 interceptions.

Portnoy’s thoughts: “You could argue Aidan Hutchinson. There’s that clip of him just taking the Ohio State lineman and just throwing him into the fourth row. But, yeah, it’s gotta be Woodson.”

Week 2 College Football Picks: Ohio St-Texas, Oklahoma-Michigan & more!

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There aren’t many better ways to get ready for a major college football tilt than a live show before the game. 

Ahead of Michigan hosting No. 11 Oklahoma this Saturday, FOX Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt hosted a live showing of “The Joel Klatt Show” in Ann Arbor.

The third-ever live “Joel Klatt Show” sold out The Circ Bar and featured guest stars like a national title-winning head coach and Klatt’s “Big Noon Kickoff” colleagues.

Klatt hosted guests including former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, FOX Sports’ Jenny Taft and “Big Noon Kickoff’s” Dave Portnoy. Klatt and co. discussed everything from the 24-team playoff to expectations for Michigan against Oklahoma and even put them in the spotlight with a lie-detector test. 

Here are the best moments from “The Joel Klatt Show” live in Ann Arbor:

Dave Portnoy Reveals His All-Time Michigan Team

It’s no secret that Portnoy is a passionate Michigan football fan, portraying his fandom constantly on-air and on social media.

On Klatt’s live show, Portnoy revealed his all-time Michigan team with his top-five Wolverine players of all time. To name a few, Portnoy included players from the Wolverines’ recent national title win in 2023, like quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and their 1997 national title team with Heisman winner Charles Woodson.  

Portnoy’s all-time Michigan team:

Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy

Wide receivers: Desmond Howard, Anthony Carter

Running back: Tim Biakabutuka

Defense: Charles Woodson

Portnoy Wanted WHO Gone?

Following his all-time Michigan team, Portnoy shared his thoughts on former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who led the Wolverines to a national title in 2024. 

Harbaugh finished his coaching tenure at Michigan with an 86-25 overall record, a 60-17 record in conference play and three consecutive Big Ten Championships from 2021-23. Harbaugh’s final year saw a Big Ten title, an undefeated 15-0 record and a national title win. 

Despite the success, Portnoy’s thoughts on Harbaugh did not change. 

“Once McCarthy came in, everything changed. Hand up, I wanted Harbaugh gone,” Portnoy said. “It was every year we were getting drummed. I bet there are a lot of silent Michigan fans out there that are like, ‘Yeah, maybe we thought it was time for a change.’ There were some down years.”

Bob Stoops Joins, Weighs In On 24-Team Playoff

Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops joined Klatt and Portnoy on stage and weighed in on current topics surrounding the college football landscape.

Stoops was head coach of the Sooners from 1999-2016 and compiled a 191-48 overall record, two Big 12 titles and a BCS National Championship in 2000.

In particular, Stoops shared his thoughts on the possible College Football Playoff expansion to 24 teams. 

“I’ve been a proponent of less playoff games, but these games are going to go away. So then that would be the reason to keep the 24 teams in the playoff,” Stoops said. “Because now you can come up to Michigan, things don’t go the right way, you can still recover from it.” 

Portnoy, Klatt Take Polygraph Test

If you’ve seen Zlatan’s infamous Polygraph test during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, get ready for Klatt and Portnoy to have their turn. 

Klatt went first, and was asked about everything from his Big Noon Kickoff colleagues and the success at his alma mater, Colorado. However, one answer regarding Saturday’s matchup stood out. 

When Portnoy asked Klatt about his stance on Michigan beating the No. 11 Sooners, his answer was simple and true. 

“Do you think Michigan can actually win [on] Saturday?” Portnoy asked. 

“Yes,” Klatt said confidently. 

When it was time for Portnoy to take the test, the focus was not so much on his Wolverines’ upcoming matchup. Portnoy was instantly asked by Taft how his last weekend went when Rutgers was upset by UMass in Week 1. 

College Football Related Stories

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Lumen Field (Seattle) — Don’t screw it up.

That’s the mindset of backup quarterback Drew Lock, taking over for Sam Darnold after the Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback suffered a hip injury in the first quarter that forced him to miss the rest of Wednesday’s season-opening win over the New England Patriots.

Lock completed 72.7% of his passes for 187 yards and a touchdown without an interception on Wednesday, leading the Seahawks to a comeback 13-10 victory. With Darnold expected to miss Week 2, Lock said he’s ready to take on the starting mantle if Seattle’s QB1 is out for an extended period of time. In fact, he said he was ready for Wednesday’s moment as well, thanks to an unconventional method. 

“My biggest thing is always drawing every play that I possibly can on a whiteboard,” Lock said at the podium on Wednesday. “I’ve got one next to my bed. I’ll do it at night; I do it in the morning. That’s just always been my thing, being able to visualize, so whenever I read it out, it’s just there in my head.

“Because of the lack of reps, you don’t get to physically do it. So, I’ve got to be able to draw it from somewhere. And — no pun intended — but drawing it helps me draw it somewhere.”

That sort of thinking has helped Lock grow in his career as he’s become a dependable veteran. Known as a gunslinger in his early seasons with the Denver Broncos, the 29-year-old showed his progression on Wednesday by playing reliable, mistake-free football. 

“I’ve definitely grown,” Lock said at the podium on Wednesday. “I’ve learned a lot about football. But having an opportunity on a team like this can shift your mindset. Knowing the type of defense we have, there’s no rush to push the ball down the field. Let’s find ways to get the ball in our guys’ hands.

“Now when the ones downfield are there, I’ve never been one to be afraid to throw those. But it’s having the mindset of taking care of the football and getting it in our guys’ hands because you’ve got the best defense in the world, in my opinion.  Let’s keep the ball moving forward and see what the scoreboard looks like at the end of this.” 

Lock’s first half of action on Wednesday wasn’t great, with Seattle going scoreless in the first half. New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury had a rough debut early on, as the Seahawks finished 2 of 11 on third downs and had totaled seven pre-snap penalties. Seattle also finished with 10 accepted penalties for 98 yards.

However, Fleury and Lock did a nice job of making halftime adjustments, with the offense getting into more of a flow in the second half. 

“It was great to get into here at the end of the half, talk about our openers and put the plays on the board,” Lock said. “It’s also a little bit of just feeling the flow of the game, getting back into this and finding ways in the future of being into snap into this quicker. That’s just the life of a backup. But he did a fantastic job all night. We need to be better on some procedural things. Obviously, that’s apparent.” 

Macdonald said Darnold’s hip is intact and he suffered no fractures, but he has an injury to a muscle in the hip area. Macdonald did not provide a timetable for his return, stating the team will have a full picture when they return to the facility on Monday to begin practice for Week 2. But Darnold is expected to miss the game against Arizona. 

Sam Darnold will reportedly miss time after suffering a hip injury in Wednesday’s opener. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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Lock is still young for a quarterback. He’s in the second year of a two-year, $5 million contract that makes him a free agent at the end of the year. And if he plays well during the handful of games he receives an NFL addition, perhaps he can earn the chance to start somewhere else next season, as Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Darnold have done before him.

In fact, Lock talked about it during Super Bowl week.

“I think every quarterback in the NFL would look you in the eyes and say they believe they can be a starter,” Lock said in February. “It’s just about the team you’re on, the opportunity you are given, and you have to be ready to pounce on it. You have to be ready to go out there and play.”

Seattle players believe Lock can get the job done.

“Drew played great,” Uchenna Nwosu told me. “When it matters most, that’s what he does. I’m happy for him.”

“We fully trust in Drew Lock to come in and do his thing,” said star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had a big touchdown grab from Lock in the win. “He’s done it time and time again.” 

And so does Lock’s coach.

“He’s been tremendous,” Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said. “He operates like a starter does in terms of preparation, but I think the chemistry and personality of our quarterback room is one that is very supportive of each other and tries to bring out the best of one another. Drew provides a cool confidence, a loose but focused [approach] to the whole equation, which you need. 

“And on top of that, since he’s got here, I just feel like he’s played really great football in practice and in the preseason. We saw what he can do last night, and if he has to play again, we expect the same thing moving forward.” 

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Let’s slow the “super team” chatter around the Los Angeles Rams.

Just for now.

Australia was not good to the Rams, who looked tired and sloppy in their season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners took total control of the game, largely by controlling the line of scrimmage. By the fourth quarter, the Rams never really knocked on contention — slipping deeper and deeper into defeat.

It’s important to remember that Week 1 lies. In other words, there’s a long, long season ahead. And this game — which took place roughly 8,000 miles from Los Angeles — won’t tell us everything we need to know about either team.

But there’s no denying it: the 49ers looked dominant. And the Rams looked … dominated.

Here are my takeaways:

1.

It was brutal to watch rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling get carted off with an injury in the first half. That’s another injury to another young receiver — after wide receiver Ricky Pearsall headed to IR before the season started. 

But Purdy didn’t look shorthanded. Not in the least.

Brock Purdy settled in and led an efficient 49ers offense against the Rams. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) –>

Tight end George Kittle was back in action despite a quick return from his Achilles injury last year. Receiver Mike Evans looked like the chain-mover, with a touchdown or a first down on all six of his catches. 

In other words, Evans was everything that they hoped he’d be when they signed him for $42.4 million and three years. 

Even Deebo Samuel looked young again — like his old 49ers self — with contributions in the passing game (48 receiving yards), running game (12 yards) and on special teams (74 yards).

Christian McCaffrey was, of course, outstanding. But it was rookie running back Kaelon Black who was the biggest surprise. He finished with 14 carries for 65 yards. And took the load off McCaffrey at this early phase in the season.

In short, the 49ers offense looked awesome. It looked deep. It looked peak Shanahan, with a swath of weapons that should help Purdy play at a really high level — even when facing what everyone had expected to be the NFL’s defense (in L.A.).

It looked built to last into January and maybe even February. 

2.

For all the discussion about which team planned their travel correctly, both quarterbacks looked sluggish in the first half. In fact, they both threw brutal interceptions — in the same fashion … on back-to-back drives. Twins! 

Purdy threw directly at a dropping safety, Quentin Lake, in an attempt for George Kittle, but Lake picked off the throw easily. And then a few plays later, Matthew Stafford floated a ball toward receiver Puka Nacua and Renardo Green backpedaled into position for a pick.

You can try all you want to avoid jet lag, but it always wins.

That said, Stafford looked worse than Purdy.

Stafford aired a few balls so high that they proved uncatchable. He forced a dangerous throw to Davante Adams near the end of the first half. And he looked completely stumped by the 49ers’ pressure, which they generated without having to send many blitzes. 

For the game, Stafford finished 15 of 25 for 155 yards and an interception.

Matthew Stafford did not look like the reigning MVP in Melbourne against the 49ers. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) –>

Even Rams head coach Sean McVay looked a little jet-lagged, calling a QB sneak on the goal line on fourth-and-1 in the third quarter. And very much unsurprisingly, Stafford, who is notoriously bad at sneaks, couldn’t convert.

On the whole, it felt like the reigning MVP was processing at a slower clip than normal.

3.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to get Aaron Donald into the mix on this defensive line?

I thought there would be an embarrassment of riches. I thought the Rams defensive front would be unstoppable. I thought the hype was real.

But Myles Garrett finished this game with zero sacks and zero QB hits — even with Purdy dropping back 34 times. Garrett’s pressure total was solid, up to five, per Next Gen Stats. But there’s no way he made the impact that he would’ve hoped. And that’s a real credit to Williams, the 49ers left tackle who was an absolute beast in pass protection against the guy who finished No. 1 in the “NFL 100” rankings.

Near the end of the game, however, Netflix’s Tom Pelissero provided an interesting nugget. Garrett had been nursing a knee injury in training camp, which limited his practice reps and — perhaps — affected his conditioning in this game. To make matters worse, he was still dealing with a little pain from the injury. That’ll be something to keep an eye on.

3 1/2.   What’s Next?

There’s a downside to the 49ers getting to Australia as early as they did. Now, they’ve got to go home and readjust to Pacific Time. 

But there’s actually good news. The 49ers will take on the Miami Dolphins, a team that looks like a clear-cut favorite (at least to me) to finish with the No. 1 pick. And then their Week 3 opponent is, frankly, another pushover. The 49ers will take on the Cardinals. So they might lose some sleep as they get their clocks right. But they’re not going to lose any sleep over their game plans. 

I have no doubt that San Francisco will start this season 3-0. All should be well for when the 49ers host the Broncos in the first week of October in Week 4.

The Rams have a Monday night appointment with the Giants in Week 2. Hopefully, their emphasis on not acclimating to the Australian time change will help them feel ready for that matchup, because head coach John Harbaugh has New York feeling good about what the season has in store for the Giants’ young offensive core of quarterback Jaxson Dart, receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo. 

After this dud, I can’t imagine the Rams will show up with a shortage of energy.

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