After the loss to the 49ers, Rams coach Sean McVay accepted the outcome — but he won’t regard it as the start of a trend. “This will define us only if we allow it to,” McVay told reporters. “And today was one of those days.” McVay took the blame for the loss.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed doubt over his team's late arrival in Melbourne being the culprit behind their surprising 27-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.

Michael Brockers played defensive line in the NFL for 11 seasons. Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Andy Lewis / This story is part of Peak, The Athletic’s desk covering the mental side of sports.

The Rams' flight to Melbourne landed on Thursday morning local time, which left them with about 28 hours to acclimate to Australia before their game against the 49ers gets underway.

Raheem Morris promised pragmatism when he took the 49ers’ DC job. Head-to-head against the NFL’s trendiest play-caller, he delivered.

The Los Angeles Rams didn’t get to see much of Myles Garrett this summer after acquiring him in a trade with the Cleveland Browns. He sat out multiple training camp practices due to lower-body soreness, and as the Rams continued preparing for Week 1, he missed time with knee swelling.