NFL in Australia: San Francisco 49ers take down LA Rams in Melbourne

The Rams’ first set goes nowhere and they punt the ball away.

We get our first look at Brock Purdy now.

Stafford’s first through is nearly intercepted!

Warner dropped the intercept to the relief of the Rams after Bosa brought the pressure.

We are underway way and the 49ers get a nice tackle deep in back field with the Rams reciever stopped short of the 25-yard line.

49ers win the toss and defer, which means the Rams will recieve the kick-off.

It also means San Francisco will start the second half with possession.

NEED AN NFL REFRESHER?

At its simplest, each team is trying to move the ball down the field and into the opposition’s end zone.

The team with possession — the offence — gets four attempts, known as downs, to move the ball at least 10 yards (9 meters).

If they make those 10 yards, the count resets and they receive another four downs.

If they fail, possession can be handed to the other team, which is why teams will often punt the ball away on fourth down rather than risk losing it where they stand.

Think of it as four chances to make 10 yards.

Key NFL rules and terms you need to know

If you’re new to the NFL, these are the basics that will get you through the game:

• Down: Each team gets four attempts, called downs, to move the ball at least 10 yards. Make it, and they get another four downs.
• Touchdown: Worth six points and scored by getting the ball into the opposition’s end zone.
• Extra point: After a touchdown, teams can kick for one extra point or attempt a two-point conversion.
• Field goal: A kick through the goalposts worth three points.
• Quarterback: The player who leads the offence, throwing or handing off the ball. Keep an eye on Brock Purdy and Matthew Stafford.

• Interception: When a defender catches a pass intended for the attacking team, immediately changing possession.
• Fumble: When a player loses control of the ball before being ruled down (Ruled down is when a player in possession of the ball’s knee touches the ground). Either team can recover it.
• Sack: When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball.

• Red zone: The final 20 yards before the opposition’s end zone, where a team has a strong chance of scoring.

The 49ers, who have been in town for a week, have clearly won the hearts of fans.

The Rams were booed without mercy as they entered the MCG despite technically being the home side today.

I guess rocking up 24 hours before being a part of history Down Under and then leaving again straight away doesn’t fly with Aussies.

Who would’ve thought?

If you missed your chance to get to today’s game, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell has confirmed some big news.

“As you know, we don’t do these just as a one-off, so we’ll be back and we’re excited about it. We think there’s a great future here,” he told Seven.

The MCG is a picture!

It’s already looking at its grand final best for the NFL.

This is also set to be the biggest crowd most of these players have ever taken the field in front of.

The biggest NFL stadium is in New York and holds 86,500 but there is some truly massive stadiums on the college stage.

So, the team that adapts best will get the win.

Rams champion Todd Gurley, while predicting his former team to win, says fans can expect these two sides to come out guns blazing.

“I think the Rams get it done. I think they’ll win by around three-points. It’ll be a high scoring game. I think the defense is going to get some touch downs , but I would love to see an overtime game. Great for entertainment, right?” he said.

“I think it will be a high-scoring shootout, but I think we’ll get two defensive touchdowns as well. Maybe a pick six. We have Myles Garrett, a scoop and score, easily. Let’s make it a good one.”

Melbourne has held a festival of NFL all week and former AFL player turned NFL punter Ben Graham has likened the energy to Super Bowl (NFL grand final) week.

“I’ve been to the Super Bowl as a player and as a media commentator and I’ve seen both sides of it and I just love the way Melbourne has embraced it,” Graham told Seven.

“They’re in for a treat today here. I can’t wait. And for all the trailblazers before myself, Colin Ridgeway, Colin Scotts, Darren Bennett, the godfather of punting, and even Don Lane back in the day that brought the NFL to the screens for Australian fans, I’m just so proud, privileged and humbled to be a part of that.”