From a Seahawks Comeback to an NFL Showdown Down Under
Football is officially back, and Week 1 has already reminded us of one thing:
In the NFL, a game is never over until the clock hits zero.
Last night, the Seattle Seahawks erased a 10-0 deficit to stun the New England Patriots 13-10.
Tonight? We head halfway around the world for a heavyweight NFC West battle between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
And yes — this one has plenty of juice.
🔥 WHAT WE LEARNED FROM PATRIOTS–SEAHAWKS
Seattle refused to panic.
The Seahawks looked dead in the water.
New England jumped out to a 10-0 lead, while Seattle lost starting quarterback Sam Darnold to a hip injury.
Enter Drew Lock.
Lock settled down, threw for 187 yards and a touchdown, and helped engineer two fourth-quarter scoring drives. (Reuters)
But the real story?
Seattle’s defense took over.
The Seahawks picked off Drake Maye three times in the fourth quarter.
That included the game-clinching interception in the end zone with just 21 seconds left. (AP News)
Maye finished with 178 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
That’s the kind of fourth quarter that will keep Patriots fans awake tonight.
😬 DRAKE MAYE: GREAT START, ROUGH FINISH
Maye actually looked comfortable early.
New England put together a 77-yard touchdown drive, capped by a touchdown pass to rookie tight end Eli Raridon.
Then everything changed.
Seattle’s pressure increased, Maye started forcing throws, and the turnovers followed.
The Patriots even had a chance to tie or potentially win late. Instead, Maye’s final pass was intercepted in the end zone.
That’s football. One decision can change everything.
The good news for New England?
It’s Week 1.
One loss doesn’t define a 17-game season.
🌎 NOW… TAKE THE NFL TO AUSTRALIA!
Tonight’s matchup isn’t just another Thursday night game.
It’s history.
The 49ers and Rams will meet at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game Down Under. (NFL)
And this isn’t some meaningless international exhibition.
Both teams went 12-5 last season.
Both expect to be playing deep into January.
And both have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.
⚔️ 49ERS vs. RAMS: THE BIG STORYLINES
Brock Purdy vs. Matthew Stafford
That’s where my eyes go first.
Purdy gets Christian McCaffrey back in the offense and has a revamped receiving group that includes George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Mike Evans.
On the other side?
Matthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season after throwing a career-best 46 touchdown passes in 2025. (Los Angeles Times)
That’s a LOT of firepower.
💥 MYLES GARRETT IS NOW A RAM
This is probably the matchup everybody wants to see.
Los Angeles added Myles Garrett, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and single-season sack record holder.
Brock Purdy better know where No. 15 is at all times.
The Rams also added cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, giving Sean McVay a defense that looks absolutely loaded on paper. (NFL)
But there’s one interesting twist…
Aaron Donald won’t play tonight.
The future Hall of Famer came out of retirement, but he is being held out of the Australia opener. (NFL)
Still, Garrett plus that Rams front?
Purdy is going to have to move.
✈️ THE AUSTRALIA FACTOR
Here’s something casual fans might overlook:
Travel could matter.
San Francisco arrived in Melbourne early to adjust to the time difference.
The Rams took a very different approach, planning to arrive roughly a day before the game so players could maintain their normal U.S. body-clock schedule. (Reuters)
Who’s right?
We’ll find out tonight.
Because if you’re tired in the fourth quarter against Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy…
Good luck.
👀 PLAYERS I’M WATCHING
🔴 49ers
Brock Purdy — Can he handle the Rams’ pressure?
Christian McCaffrey — If he’s healthy and rolling, San Francisco’s offense becomes a completely different problem.
Nick Bosa — He’s back, and San Francisco desperately needs its pass rush to improve.
George Kittle — Expect him to be involved early.
🔵 Rams
Matthew Stafford — Can the MVP pick up where he left off?
Myles Garrett — First game in Rams blue. Enough said.
Puka Nacua — One of the NFL’s most dangerous young receivers.
Davante Adams — Another major weapon for Stafford.
The Rams’ official injury report has Garrett cleared, while Aaron Donald is out. San Francisco has defensive tackle Alfred Collins out and James Thompson Jr. listed as questionable. (NFL)
🏆 MY TAKE
The Rams are the favorite.
The betting line currently has Los Angeles around -3.5, with an over/under of 48.5. (NFL)
But I’m not convinced this is an easy Rams win.
San Francisco has had more time to adjust to Australia.
The 49ers have a healthy-looking group of veteran stars returning on defense.
And Kyle Shanahan vs. Sean McVay?
That’s always must-see football.
My pick: 49ers 27, Rams 24.
Give me Purdy and McCaffrey in a close one.
But don’t be surprised if Stafford and Garrett remind everybody why the Rams entered the season with enormous expectations.
🏈 THE BOTTOM LINE
One game into the NFL season, we’ve already had:
A comeback.
A quarterback injury.
Three fourth-quarter interceptions.
A game-winning field goal.
And now…
NFL football in Australia.
Week 1 isn’t easing us into the season.
It’s throwing us straight into the fire.
Football is back, baby. 🍿🏈
