Photo by Tennessee Titans (CC BY 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Rams snap count review: Are the linebackers pulling their weight?

The Los Angeles Rams endured a tough start to their 2026 campaign, dropping their Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers by a 27-7 scoreline in Australia. Quarterback Matthew Stafford struggled during the Thursday evening contest, landing among the squad's poorest performers alongside Garrett according to initial player evaluations.

Despite the lopsided twenty-point defeat, defensive back Quentin Lake provided a bright spot by intercepting a pass, while newly added cornerback Trent McDuffie also turned in a strong defensive effort. Following the game, Lake acknowledged that San Francisco brought a superior strategic approach and executed better throughout the night.

Early participation data from the opener revealed an established lead running back alongside a shared rotation for the third wide receiver role.