Shanahan and McVay Dismiss Travel Plans as Factor in 49ers Win Over Rams

Contrasting Travel Strategies Collide in Australia

The 49ers spent nearly a week in Melbourne to adjust to the local time, consulting sleep experts and coaches experienced in faraway locales. In contrast, the Rams spent as little time in the city as possible. Following their third practice of the week, the Rams flew overnight on Tuesday, landed Thursday morning, played on Friday, and prepared to board another 15-hour flight back to Los Angeles within two hours of the final whistle, as detailed by The Athletic. Receiver Davante Adams noted that while the team would have loved more fan connection, they sampled local coffee and met supporters while maintaining their travel schedule, according to The Associated Press.

49ers Defeat Rams 27-7 in NFL Australia Opener

Coaches Brush Off Logistics After 20-Point Outcome

Following the 49ers’ 20-point victory over the Rams, both head coaches dismissed the idea that their respective travel plans decided the outcome. Seven questions into his postgame news conference at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan addressed whether arriving a week early provided an advantage, as reported by ESPN.

Win or lose, I know everybody was going to make a big deal about that for either team, Shanahan said, according to ESPN. You never know how much that factors into it. You just try to do the best to prepare for three and a half hours. I liked how we prepared, but more importantly I liked how we played.

San Francisco 49ers Coach Kyle Shanahan Admits Time Zone Confusion in Australia

Across the stadium, Rams coach Sean McVay agreed that the itinerary was not the root cause of the team’s performance. I don’t believe that that’s why we didn’t play well enough, McVay stated, via ESPN. I really don’t. … Prior to kickoff, McVay had expressed confidence in the unusual plan, noting that players slept through the night on the journey and felt fresh.

Wider Implications for International NFL Scheduling

The unique cross-Pacific matchup served as a test case for future international series games, particularly with nine international contests scheduled for the season and the 2032 Summer Games approaching in Australia, noted The Athletic. Because the two organizations received different feedback from their respective sports science and research teams, analysts viewed the game as a referendum on how teams should plan for long-haul travel.

Kyle Shanahan Expects 49ers Fan Takeover in Melbourne

While the Rams’ brief 36-hour window in Melbourne drew criticism from local fans who hoped for more community engagement, players like Adams suggested that success with a condensed itinerary could prompt other teams to replicate the strategy. As The Associated Press reported, Adams remarked, They probably should. If it works, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s what they say.