MELBOURNE — The San Francisco 49ers easily dispatched the “withered” — and perhaps jet-lagged — Los Angeles Rams on Friday, 27-7, scoring a decisive victory for hyper-punctual business travelers across the globe.
\n\nThe NFL’s first game in Australia showcased competing, radically opposing strategies on how to battle jet lag in long-haul international travel.
\n\nThe victorious 49ers arrived in Melbourne on Sept. 4 for a NFC West battle that kicked off at 10:37 a.m. AEST on Friday — or 8:37 p.m. EDT/5:37 p.m. PDT on Thursday.
\n\n“It was definitely worth it coming a little bit early,” said 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans, who caught 6 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.
\n\n“I felt like we got acclimated. DP (strength and conditioning coach Dustin Perry) and (coach) Kyle (Shanahan) did a great job of getting us there early and all the guys, we attacked it. We didn’t complain. We actually enjoyed being out here in Melbourne.”
\n\nThe vanquished Rams, who entered Friday’s contest as a 3.5-point favorite, didn’t get into town until early Thursday morning Down Under time, about 28 hours ahead of kickoff.
\n\n“We thought that was the best plan of attack in terms of our approach,” Rams coach Sean…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports