Kurtenbach's 49ers-Rams prediction: Purdy looks sharp, but Niners' trench issues too big to overcome

In his prediction column for the 49ers-Rams matchup, Kurtenbach highlights the unusual logistics of an NFL divisional game sent to Australia, calling the setup absurd but emphasizing that the stakes are not. The piece frames the Week 1 clash as crucial for the NFC West race and the broader playoff tiebreaker picture in January. For San Francisco, the focus is James Thompson, promoted in the interior after Alfred Collins was ruled out for the season with a torn meniscus. The article notes San Francisco carries C.J. West and Thompson as true nose tackles. On the Rams side, Braden Fiske is identified as a key disruptor, with the left guard situation in Los Angeles’ defense front tied to his expected snaps.