The San Francisco 49ers are finally gearing up to play a real football game. In a primetime slot on Thursday night, their Australia-based battle with the Los Angeles Rams will likely be one of the most-watched games of the NFL's Week 1 slate.
Kyle Shanahan's team has heard all offseason how the Rams are the clear Super Bowl favorites, miles ahead of every other team in the league.
This is San Francisco's chance to spoil that narrative.
These four matchups could end up deciding who comes back home with a victory and who is set for a long, quiet plane ride.
4 matchups to watch in 49ers' Week 1 battle with Rams
49ers WR Mike Evans vs. Rams CB Trent McDuffie
As dangerous as the Rams' offense was last season, teams could count on a few explosive passes against their relatively weak cornerbacks. Mac Jones threw for well over 300 yards in each of San Francisco's matchups with L.A. in 2025. But the Rams poured resources into the position this offseason, the most notable cornerback addition being McDuffie.
Evans will still look to pick up those explosive gains, though. If he can beat McDuffie over the top once or twice, he could help swing the game in San Francisco's favor.
49ers LT Trent Williams vs. Rams EDGE Myles Garrett
This isn't just a key matchup in this game. It might be one of the most notable one-on-one battles across the NFL in Week 1. All eyes will be on Garrett as he attempts to supercharge what was already a solid Rams defense. Williams, still dominant at 38 years old, will be tasked with slowing him down.
Williams will likely get chip help from tight ends throughout the game, but he can't afford to let Garrett take over in his Rams debut.
49ers DT Osa Odighizuwa vs. Rams LG Kevin Dotson
The 49ers' trade for Odighizuwa feels like it happened ages ago, but it will get its first real test on Thursday. Dotson and the rest of the Rams' interior offensive line will do all they can to make the trade look like a mistake.
Odighizuwa is always a threat to slip into the backfield, disrupting plays. He'll need to take Matthew Stafford and the Rams off schedule in this one.
49ers CB Upton Stout vs. Rams WR Puka Nacua
In the two 49ers-Rams matchups last season, Nacua totaled 15 catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He has fully established himself as one of the best receivers in football and could take the game over at any moment. In his second season as San Francisco's starting slot defender, Stout will be tasked with keeping a cap on Nacua's production.
Stout was solid in his rookie season, but he's significantly smaller than Nacua. The Rams may look to create one-on-one situations for their star receiver to win jump balls over the San Francisco cornerback. Stout will need to be up to the challenge.
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