The NFL schedule might be on pause, but the rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams is anything but. Recently, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan stirred the pot during an appearance on PFT Live, echoing Green Bay Packers coach Matt LeFleur's claim that the Rams were lobbying for a matchup against the 49ers in Australia.
Shanahan didn't hold back. "I know for a fact they did.
That's what's so bothersome," he remarked. His hope?
That the league will level the playing field by scheduling a game against the Rams in Mexico. Shanahan's reasoning is simple: if the 49ers have to travel abroad twice, it’s only fair for the Rams to do the same.
The Rams might have their reasons for wanting to sidestep a home game against the 49ers. The crowd dynamics at these matchups often turn SoFi Stadium into "Levi's South," with the 49ers' faithful making their presence felt so strongly that the Rams have resorted to using a silent count at home. An overseas game in Australia could significantly reduce the 49ers' fan advantage.
As for the 49ers' hopes of facing the Rams in Mexico City, the outcome is still up in the air. Reports suggest the 49ers might be hosting the Dolphins south of the border instead. The official schedule release will reveal whether Shanahan's lobbying efforts pay off and the Rams find themselves packing for a second international trip.