Week 1 numbers to know: History is on the 49ers’ side with Brock Purdy as the starter

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks to the media after a training session at AAMI Park on September 08, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) | Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

We've finally made it.

The San Francisco 49ers open the 2026 campaign with a massive divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. It was deemed such a big matchup that the NFL decided it would be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, instead of at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

So let's start there. Here are the three numbers to know as the 49ers begin another quest for six:

~7,870

Miles. There are approximately 7,870 miles between Levi's Stadium and the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If I may, allow me to stand on my soapbox for a minute. International games have become so overdone.

I understand the purpose of them with the NFL's initiative of expanding the game globally, but it feels so forced at this point; it only punishes the stateside fans. It used to be unique when it was a single game in a season, usually a throwaway.

The first international game was back in 2007, and it featured a Miami Dolphins team that finished that season at 1-15, against a New York Giants team that would go on to win the Super Bowl. The next season, it was the 8-8 San Diego Chargers against the 8-8 New Orleans Saints. Then in 2009 it was the 10-6 Patriots against the 3-13 Buccaneers.

You get the gist. The first few were non-conference games that weren't exactly impressive matchups. But then they started sprinkling in interconference games. Then it became multiple international games each season, with more added every new season, peaking in 2025 with seven different games in six different countries.

But in 2015, the NFL crossed a line it shouldn't have. The New York Jets took on the Miami Dolphins in the first inter-division international game. That is what the 49ers will fall victim to on Thursday night, but they are in a more precarious position than the Dolphins or Jets were in 2015.

Thursday night could carry very important playoff implications, with the Rams and 49ers expected to be in the thick of things in what could be a highly contested NFC West race. It's just too valuable a game not to have in Los Angeles, California.

Okay, let me get off my soapbox.

3-0

Record. The 49ers are 3-0 in Week 1s with Brock Purdy as their starter.

And all three have been relatively impressive wins. Purdy's debut season opener came in 2023, with the 49ers kicking off at 10 am in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Purdy didn't have to do too much, as two first-half touchdowns helped the 49ers jump out to a 20-0 lead. From there, he didn't need to do much more, completing 19-of-29 passes, with the pair of touchdown passes for 220 yards, as San Francisco cruised to a 30-7 victory.

Purdy would follow that 19-for-29 Week 1 performance with another 19-for-29 Week 1 game the following season against the re-debuting Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets. While Purdy wasn't able to find the end zone, he played mistake-free football, throwing for 231 yards without throwing an interception or fumbling the ball. It would be Jordan Mason who would run over the Jets defense, leading the 49ers to a 32-19 win.

And then there was 2025, which might have been Purdy's worst season opener so far, but even then he showed some gusto to help the 49ers pick up the win over the Seattle Seahawks. He would throw for both a pair of touchdowns and interceptions, but with the game on the line, he was nails. With the 49ers trailing by three with three minutes left, Purdy would complete all five of his pass attempts on the drive, finding Jake Tonges in the end zone to put the 49ers up four late in the fourth quarter. Nick Bosa would seal the deal, and the 49ers would escape Seattle with a 1-0 record.

Purdy faces another tough divisional Week 1 game against the Rams on Thursday night, but he's been solid in season openers thus far in his career.

32.5

Points. The Rams offense averaged 32.5 points in two games against the 49ers in 2025.

For as many issues the 49ers defense had last season, allowing points wasn't one of the biggest. While the San Francisco defense allowed the 13th-most yards, it allowed the 13th-fewest points per game, giving up 21.8 points per game. In both the Rams matchups, Los Angeles scored more than that average.

The 49ers played a literal bend-but-don't-break game against the Rams in their first meeting of 2025, sneaking out a 26-23 overtime victory. Los Angeles' offense had plenty of chances to score more than just 23, but had four drives finish in plus territory with no points. Two fumbles, a missed field goal, and a turnover on downs, however, left plenty of points on the board.

The second matchup, the Rams more than made up for the empty drives in the first meeting. Los Angeles opened the first and second half with three consecutive touchdown-scoring drives, leading to a 42-26 rout of the 49ers. The 42 points allowed by the 49ers were the most they allowed in the 2025 season.

Now, the 49ers were without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner in both of those games, so there's already a boost. With the additions of Osa Odighizuwa and Raheem Morris, the 49ers will have a different look compared to last year's Robert Saleh-led defense. But the Rams offense is as good as any in the league, leading to an interesting fight for Morris' San Francisco debut.