Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the San Francisco 49ers pulled away from the Los Angeles Rams for a 27-7 victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, winning the first-ever regular-season NFL game played in Australia.
The 49ers overcame a 7-3 deficit by scoring 24 unanswered points, with Purdy completing 25 of 34 passes for 205 yards. Christian McCaffrey added 88 total yards, while San Francisco’s ground game produced 174 rushing yards as the 49ers gradually took control of the historic contest.
Brock Purdy puts it right in the bread basket for a Demarcus Robinson TD 🍞
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/ijVVBF89Kr
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 11, 2026
49ers Pull Away After Rams Start Strong
The Rams managed to put San Francisco under pressure early, but their offense struggled to sustain drives as the game progressed. Los Angeles converted only two of nine third downs and went 1-for-3 on fourth down.
Matthew Stafford finished 15 of 25 for 155 yards and was held below 10 points for only the second time in his last 85 starts. Kyren Williams scored the Rams’ only touchdown with a 5-yard plunge in the second quarter.
San Francisco took the lead before halftime when Purdy found former Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 39-yard touchdown, putting the 49ers ahead 10-7.
A series of fortunate events 🐍 pic.twitter.com/OUr1ZAJkCS
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 11, 2026
McVay Gamble Backfires As 49ers Take Control
The Rams had a chance to change the momentum in the third quarter when head coach Sean McVay passed up a short field goal and instead went for it on fourth-and-goal from inside the 49ers’ 1-yard line.
San Francisco stopped Stafford on the quarterback sneak, taking possession with a 17-7 lead and 3:41 left in the third quarter.
With Purdy using both his arm and legs to keep the chains moving, the 49ers then marched 99 yards on 11 plays. Purdy escaped pressure to his right before finding Deebo Samuel for a 15-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 24-7.
Dre’ Greenlaw later forced a fumble from Tyler Higbee, setting up Eddy Pineiro for a 56-yard field goal and a 27-7 advantage.
Marquee acquisition Myles Garrett spent multiple series on the sideline in the second half. He had no QB hits or sacks.
Purdy moved past a first-half interception when he connected with former Rams wide receiver Demarcus Robinson for a 39-yard score in the second quarter that gave San Francisco a 10-7 lead. He hit Mike Evans for a 2-yard TD in the third quarter.
Evans and Samuel had six receptions apiece. Rams wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams combined for eight catches for 100 yards.
McCaffrey, Purdy, Samuel and Kaelon Black all had carries for 12-plus yards.
(With inputs from Reuters)
