Sean McVay Hopes Rams Won't Play in Australia 'Ever Again' After Loss to 49ers

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is ready to put his team's experience in Australia and a season-opening loss to the San Francisco 49ers behind him.

"It's almost like you try to do the Men in Black thing where you say, 'Hey, I don't remember what happened. That was so long ago,'" he told reporters Thursday. "We're not playing in Australia ever again, I hope. Not because it wasn't a great atmosphere, that'll get taken out of context."

The atmosphere wasn't in question, but the Rams' much-discussed strategy of arriving in Australia the day before the game still is in hindsight after the loss.

San Francisco took a much different strategy by arriving well in advance and looked like the better prepared team during its 27-7 victory.

▶️ 49ers-Rams Full Game Recap

05:40

For as much hype as the Rams received this offseason following the addition of Myles Garrett and the return of Aaron Donald (who did not play in Australia), the 49ers were in full control by the time Deebo Samuel scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to open up a three-score advantage.

Even reigning MVP Matthew Stafford looked pedestrian while going 15-of-25 for 155 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.

The silver lining for the Rams is it was just one game in a long season. They have plenty of time to bounce back and another head-to-head game against the 49ers to make up ground in the NFC West.

First, though, they face the New York Giants on Monday night and will look to play much better now that they are back home in Los Angeles.