The San Francisco 49ers are preparing for their Week 1 showdown against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. While the contest features two storied rivals, it will hardly have the same feel as most NFC West divisional games, as it will be the first-ever NFL game in Australia.
Kyle Shanahan has repeatedly criticized the idea, but his latest remark might stand out over the rest. He claimed the NFL "let the Rams off the hook" by taking away what would've been a 49ers home game. For the record, the teams would've played at the Rams' SoFi Stadium if the game were in the States.
The comment was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but there was an underlying truth to his words. Niners fans are notorious for invading SoFi during divisional matchups. The NFL's decision to ship the game to Melbourne inadvertently gives the two teams a more neutral playing field, when the 49ers could've played in a home atmosphere down in Southern California.
49ers' Australia showdown isn't even the worst of their travel demands
Fans may assume that the 49ers are getting the worst part of their travel over with, but they would be wrong. After Week 1, San Francisco has 10 days to return home and reset before they play three straight home games. Though their first game is a 16-hour flight away, the opening month of their schedule is generally cushy, especially since two of their first three games are against the projected worst teams in the league.
Because the beginning of their schedule demands so little travel, Week 13 and beyond are brutal. Four of their last six games will be played away from home, with their two home games being against the Rams and the Eagles. In that span, they will hit stops in New York, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Arizona.
It's a trade-off no coach in their right mind would ever make. If Shanahan had his choice, he would surely sacrifice the leisurely start to the season in order to gain an advantage later on.
49ers have been dealt a bad hand in 2026
Wherever the 49ers are in the standings come December, they will be expected to close out the season in a string of harsh environments. Whether they find themselves in control of the division or on the playoff bubble, the backend of their schedule will make it difficult to retain their position.
Add in the fact that the red and gold will play yet another international game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, and you have one of the most demanding schedules in the league.
The constant travel requirements combined with an arbitrary collection of road games to close out the year puts the Niners' backs squarely against the wall. If they come out of the regular season unscathed, it will be a true testament to the team's hardiness and grit.
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