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49ers travel to Australia as NFL pre-season rankings shift for 2026

CBS NFL • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 3, 2026, 4:58 PM

Last updated Sep 3, 2026

49ers travel to Australia as NFL pre-season rankings shift for 2026

Summary

The San Francisco 49ers departed on a 15-hour flight to Melbourne late Wednesday night ahead of their upcoming Week 1 game against the Rams. While the 49ers began their travel early, the Rams have planned a shorter stay in Australia, arriving only a week before the game. Elsewhere, preseason analysis has categorized NFL teams into six tiers regarding their Super Bowl potential, with the Rams listed in the top tier. Other franchises, such as the Bills, Chargers, and Cowboys, hold various expectations for the new season, while the Dolphins currently rank among the contenders for the No. 1 overall draft pick. Meanwhile, analysts are evaluating top quarterback-coach pairings, noting that established duos like Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni remain in the top ten despite new combinations, such as Joe Brady and Josh Allen, not qualifying for the current rankings.

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By the Numbers

•The 49ers left for Melbourne at 11:45 p.m. PT on Wednesday.
•The Rams plan to spend less than 24 hours in Australia for their Week 1 matchup.
•Teams are currently tiered by Super Bowl prospects, with the Rams holding top-tier status.
•Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni are included in the list of top 10 quarterback-coach combos.
•The Bills have elevated Joe Brady to head coach for the upcoming season.

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