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49ers-Rams: Exposing some bad takes made before the game

The San Francisco 49ers silenced preseason skeptics with an emphatic 27-7 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams to open their season at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. Facing a heavily hyped division rival, San Francisco controlled the contest in front of a crowd exceeding 100,000 spectators.

Wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. helped seal the outcome by reaching the end zone on a fourth-quarter touchdown run, while running back Christian McCaffrey contributed efficiently with 15 touches over the course of the game.

The resounding outcome exposed flawed media predictions favoring Los Angeles and relegated the Rams to the bottom of the NFC West standings after Week 1. San Francisco benefited from arriving a week in advance to adapt to the local time zone, contrasting sharply with Los Angeles's travel logistics, which drew scrutiny and criticism following the lopsided defeat.