The Rams returned to Los Angeles in 2016. They’ve made great progress at winning over the local hearts and growing their roots and fanbase.
Still, while most NFL teams are guaranteed at least eight home games per year, the Rams still are at a disadvantage against West Coast teams with more entrenched roots. They are often outnumbered at SoFi Stadium by fans of the 49ers, Raiders, and others.
Would the Rams even go as far to book an international game in order to avoid 49ers fans taking over SoFi yet again? We saw San Francisco with a homefield advantage this past season on Thursday Night Football when Mac Jones led an improbable comeback of the home NFC finalists.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan even went as far to say the Rams lobbied for an international game, which is San Francisco’s first of two long trips next season:
On whether the Rams lobbied the NFL for an international game against 49ers:
I know for a fact they did, that’s why it’s so bothersome. Hopefully the league will do right and let us play the Rams in Mexico since we’ve got to go out of the country twice and they requested us. I’m requesting them in Mexico. Not that it gives us an advantage, but it’s fair to make them go out of the country twice too.
The 49ers plan to spend at least a full week in Australia in order to prepare for their game against the Rams. Sean McVay told Kay Adams today that he is still finalizing his travel plans for the season but expects that San Francisco will be in Melbourne longer than his team.
Is there much to make of the comments by Shanahan? Does this add more fuel to the fire of one of the NFC West’s great rivalries?
What do the Rams need to do in Los Angeles in order to ensure the 49ers’ advantage at SoFi Stadium is shortlived?
Let’s discuss answers to these questions in the comments.
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