RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The Los Angeles Rams will open their NFL season in Melbourne, Australia, against the San Francisco 49ers on September 10.
The NFL’s tradition of conducting regular-season games around the world seems to be growing every year, with this season seeing nine games played outside North America.
The Rams enter the season as overwhelming Super Bowl favorites, but their strategy for their Week 1 opener on the other end of the world has some experts and fans concerned.
Rams confirm they will go to Australia 24 hours before the game
Rams HC Sean McVay confirmed to the media that the Rams do not intend to acclimatise to the time difference in Melbourne for their season-opener.
“We’re leaving later than people would probably expect.”
NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti has claimed that the Rams’ current plan is to reach Melbourne 24 hours before the game, but this exact same timeline was not confirmed by McVay.
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Fans are not thrilled about this plan.
“Not a smart strategy. The players will be jet-lagged and a little stiff. They’re going to be more prone to injury and subpar play,” theorised one fan .
“As someone who’s made the trip to Australia, are the Rams crazy?” questioned another fan .
“Brother Sean, that is not a good idea,” was the thought of a worried fan .
“I think the Rams are asking for it with that kind of time schedule,” claimed another fan .
“Anyone who’s travelled internationally knows you can’t beat jet lag, even sleeping on the flight. Take the Niners,” said a fan .
Rams know what they are doing with Australia travel plans
Despite the skepticism, the Rams have a method to their madness.
The team pulled off a similar approach for an NFL game in London last season, beating the Jaguars 31-7 and starting the game with a 25-0 halftime lead.
Some researchers suggest that the Rams could have a physical edge if they let adrenaline carry them through the game and instantly return to the States, rather than having all the players adjust to Australian time and then have to readjust to American time after they return.
The game also being a morning game in Australia could disrupt the usual rhythms of the players, who are accustomed to playing games in the evening.
Their opponents, the 49ers, are expected to spend nine days acclimatising to the local conditions, so this matchup will bring two entirely opposite travel philosophies to a head.
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