By admin 
Most people picked the Los Angeles Rams to defeat the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday. It was at least somewhat understandable, as the Rams have a roster that looks absolutely stacked, while the 49ers have some roster holes and, as usual, some rotation players who are out with injuries.
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Early on, it looked like perhaps the Rams would handle San Francisco. They went ahead 7-3 early in the second quarter, and when San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy threw an interception with 12:09 left in the second quarter, some Niners fans were possibly thinking, “Here we go again.”
But that would do it as far as Rams highlights for the entire game. The 49ers dominated the rest of the game, and as robust as they looked on offense, and as masterful as Purdy was for the rest of the contest, it was perhaps their defense that was most impressive in their 27-7 win.
In the process, they made these national pundits look like fools.
Nick Wright
Wright is infamous for his hot takes, but prior to Thursday’s game, he gave a take on the 49ers’ defense that didn’t sound that hot.
He expressed concern for the team’s defense, and his reasoning sounded at least somewhat logical, although his actual prediction sounded a bit extreme.
“I think one of the more underrated stories headed into this season is the Niners’ defense might, for the first time in a long time, just be bad,” Wright said. “A D-tackle that they draft in the second round last year (Alfred Collins) just two days ago popped his patellar tendon. They’re starting a guy in Keion White the [New England] Patriots gave away. They’re starting a guy, former great for them, Dre Greenlaw, who the [Denver] Broncos cut in the offseason. Nick Bosa — he’s off the injury report, and this is his first game back. I don’t like really any of their secondary. They lost (former defensive coordinator) Robert Saleh.
“… Even if the Niners can move the ball, can they get any stops?”
It was just one game, but the Niners’ defense was outstanding versus Los Angeles. They limited quarterback Matthew Stafford, last season’s MVP, to 15 completions on 25 passing attempts, 155 passing yards and no touchdowns while forcing him into an interception in the second quarter.
Wide receiver Davante Adams, who led the NFL in receiving touchdowns last season, had just three catches for 26 yards. Running back Kyren Williams was held to 41 rushing yards on 11 carries.
The Niners’ defense could falter later on, especially due to injury and a lack of depth, but it was an immovable object on Thursday.
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Bill Plaschke
The esteemed Los Angeles Times columnist seemed to have been drinking the Kool-Aid when he wrote an article claiming that the Rams would do something that only the 1972 Miami Dolphins have done: go undefeated all the way to the Super Bowl championship.
“The Rams upcoming 22-week journey will take them far and wide, from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C. and back to SoFi, a circuitous and challenging journey with but one consistent stop,” Plaschke wrote.
“The win column.
“The Rams are not losing a game.
“Seventeen-and-oh in a favorable regular season schedule.
“Three-and-oh in a postseason conducted entirely at home.
“An NFL record combined 20-0 culminating in a Super Bowl LXI victory on Valentine’s Day at SoFi Stadium.
“This obviously sounds crazy. This clearly sounds like a blazing hot take that will chill soon and embarrass often.”
Yes, this was a hot take that embarrassed Plaschke, at least for one week.
Blame the Rams’ decision not to fly to Australia until just hours before the game. Blame the fans at Melbourne Cricket Ground, the site of the game, who were clearly rooting for the Niners more than they were pulling for the Rams.
But in the end, the Niners simply flat-out outplayed Stafford and crew. They have now defeated the Rams head-to-head in 11 of their last 16 attempts.
It speaks to the commitment of their players, as well as the brilliance of head coach Kyle Shanahan, who often seems to come up with a rock-solid game plan against Sean McVay, especially when his men have been healthy enough.
It’s just one game, but the Niners have made a major statement that they will have to be accounted for over the next four months or so.
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This story was originally published September 11, 2026 at 5:00 AM.