Editor’s Note: This Matchup was written by John Daigle, with input from Evan Silva.
Thursday Night Football 8:35 p.m. E.T.
San Francisco vs. Los Angeles Rams (in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
Team Totals: 49ers 22.5, Rams 26
The league enters uncharted territory ahead of Thursday night’s game: The 49ers arrived in Melbourne with a full week to spare, whereas Los Angeles flew on Tuesday night to get off the plane and play.
Brock Purdy wasn’t available for either matchup against the Rams last year, but Kyle Shanahan’s depleted Niners produced 26 points (in both contests) for 7.5 yards per attempt with Mac Jones under center. The QB6 > QB12 > QB8 in per-week points, Purdy’s already proven he’s a matchup-proof starter. Any counterpunch from Sean McVay would increase Purdy’s ceiling. … You’re obviously starting Christian McCaffrey in redraft leagues everywhere. It’s a harder question for one-game slates since the team’s EPA/carry cratered from fifth to 23rd during the 213 runs George Kittle — rehabbing from last year’s torn Achilles — was off the field. Even so, CMC led his position in both target share (21.3%) and raw routes (474) for the highest floor possible.
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