Based on Thursday night’s smothering down under by the 49ers against the Rams, it appears that San Francisco‘s early-arrival approach worked better than the Rams’ strategy of barnstorming.

But Week 1 is just part of the equation. The Rams were surely thinking about the recovery from the long trip, with the goal of being ready for the next game, against the Giants to cap Week 2.

Advertisement

And it doesn’t get easy after that. The Rams travel to Denver for a Sunday night game before playing in Philadelphia the next Sunday afternoon. After that, it’s another Monday night game — against the Bills.

The 49ers will have to fly home after fully acclimating to Australia and re-acclimating to America. The Dolphins come to town in Week 2, followed by visits from the Cardinals and Broncos. In Week 5, the 49ers make their annual visit to the Seahawks.

In many respects, Thursday night’s game is only the beginning. Where both teams go from here after going home will show plenty.