The Los Angeles Rams received a break in their schedule that the San Francisco 49ers so desperately wanted.
After their Week 1 contest, which will be played in Australia, the 49ers will play on Sunday, Sept 20, against the Miami Dolphins. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan desperately wanted his team to have an extra day and play Monday, Sept. 21.
Instead, the Rams are the team that will play on Monday night, hosting the New York Giants.
The Rams are the team getting an extra day of rest, playing 11 days later from their Week 1 contest instead of 10 like the 49ers.
49ers voice frustration over grueling 2026 travel schedule
Shanahan and several 49ers players have expressed strong dissatisfaction with their opening week trip to Australia. They cited the 17-hour time difference and the massive physical toll of traveling to The Land Down Under.
On top of that, Shanahan had hilariously requested that the NFL send the Rams to play in Mexico City this season. Instead, the NFL will send San Francisco to play in Mexico. The 49ers will play in Mexico City on Week 11 in their contest against the Minnesota Vikings.
The 49ers sit at the top when it comes to most miles traveled this season, with a grueling schedule ahead. San Francisco will travel 38,105 miles, while the Rams are second in that category with 34,847. The majority of those miles will be for their Week 1 matchup.
The Rams are the early favorites in the Week 1 matchup at -2.5. The game is set for September 10 (U.S. date) at 5:35 p.m. PT. The contest will be streamed on Netflix.
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