Squirrel’s Nuts & Bolts: Rams - 49ers Showdown Strategy (Week 1 NFL DFS)

Sep 10, 2026

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The 2026 season opened with a defensive slugfest last night, as the Seahawks beat the Patriots 13-10 after Drew Lock relieved Sam Darnold with a hip injury on the opening drive. The NFL follows that up with an international game down under, as the Rams and 49ers meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the league’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia. Kickoff is at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix; the Rams are the designated home team, and both teams saw their seasons end in Seattle back in January. The Rams are favored by 3.5 points with the total set at 48 points.

The Rams’ offense returns Matthew Stafford after he threw 46 touchdown passes last season, and the passing game still runs through Puka Nacua, who averaged 107.2 receiving yards per game a year ago. Davante Adams is back as the second receiver after scoring 14 touchdowns in 14 games last season, with Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, and Tyler Higbee at tight end. Kyren Williams leads the backfield with Blake Corum behind him, and the market has Corum with a real share of the carries this week. The Rams spent the offseason loading up on defense, trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and bringing Aaron Donald out of retirement.

The 49ers’ offense has Brock Purdy back under center with Christian McCaffrey, who drew a 23.3% target share last season (the highest of any running back) to go with his rushing workload. The receiver room is already struggling with absences, with Ricky Pearsall on season-ending injured reserve, Christian Kirk on IR (designation for return), and Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list. Mike Evans makes his 49ers debut after leaving Tampa Bay this offseason, and he lines up alongside Deebo Samuel and De'Zhaun Stribling. George Kittle is on the injury report with an Achilles issue but has no game designation, so the 49ers should have their starting tight end.

This Showdown gives us an NFC West rivalry on the other side of the world, with a rebuilt receiver room on one side and a rebuilt defensive line on the other. Let’s break down this Thursday night showdown, highlight the key plays, and uncover the strategies that could help you climb the leaderboards.