49ers vs. Rams Expert Picks for TNF: Thursday Night Football in Australia Predictions
The NFL is playing it's first game in Australia tonight (or tomorrow, if you're there!) and we have you covered with our 49ers vs. Rams expert picks. The Rams are a 3.5-point betting favorite ahead of kickoff from Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne at 8:35 p.m. ET (Netflix).
It's not officially Thursday Night Football, but it is Thursday. Thanks, branding and time zones. Most of our experts below are backing the favorites, but we do have a holdout on the 49ers so far from their electrical substation.
🏈 49ers vs. Rams expert picks: NFL Melbourne Game
See all of our experts' NFL picks based on the latest NFL odds.
| Expert | Pick |
|---|---|
| Gary Pearson | Rams -3.5 |
| LJ Blut | Rams -3.5 |
| Quinn Allen | Rams -3.5 |
| C Jackson Cowart | 49ers +3.5 |
| Brenden Schaeffer | Matthew Stafford Over 260.5 passing yards |
Gary Pearson's pick: Rams -3.5
The 49ers lost starting defensive end Alfred Collins to a season-ending injury during Tuesday’s practice. Because of existing injuries to Mykel Williams and Sam Okuayinonu, the 49ers will enter the tilt with C.J. West, rookie Gracen Halton, and Osa Odighizuwa as the only healthy options, excluding the practice squad. That’s a recipe for disaster against the reigning MVP and his cohort of elite playmakers.
See Gary Pearson's full analysis in his 49ers vs. Rams prediction.
LJ Blut's pick: Rams -3.5
The Rams are the team to back at -3.5 against the 49ers on Thursday. Los Angeles has the defensive talent to make life difficult for San Francisco. The Rams also have the offensive firepower to capitalize on short fields and create separation. Los Angeles won the most recent meeting 42-26, and I expect Sean McVay to have another strong game plan. If the Rams avoid turnovers, they should win comfortably.
Quinn Allen's pick: Rams -3.5
The Rams enter 2026 looking like legitimate Super Bowl contenders, with Matthew Stafford surrounded by plenty of offensive weapons and Myles Garrett headlining a loaded defense. L.A. has also won four of its last five meetings with San Francisco, including a convincing 42-26 victory last season. Back the Rams to cover in Melbourne.
C Jackson Cowart's pick: 49ers +3.5
Look, if this game were played with stakes in January, I'd be all over the Rams. But I don't love this particular spot for the Super Bowl favorites, who won't have Aaron Donald and likely won't have much rest, either, after flying in on Tuesday night. We saw in the season opener how sluggish teams can be in their first game - I'm taking the points and the more rested team in Melbourne tonight.
Brenden Schaeffer's pick: Matthew Stafford Over 260.5 passing yards
Matthew Stafford put up gaudy numbers weekly during his MVP run in 2025, and that was true for both of his matchups against this San Francisco defense. Stafford posted passing yardage totals of 389 and 280 in his games against the 49ers last season.
See Brenden Schaeffer's full SGP in his 49ers vs. Rams same-game parlay.
💰 More 49ers vs. Rams picks & predictions
📺 How to watch 49ers vs. Rams: TNF NFL Melbourne Game
- Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
- Kickoff: 8:35 p.m. ET
- Location: Melbourne Cricket Ground (Melbourne)
- Streaming: Netflix
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