The Los Angeles Rams Are Trying to Defeat Time
Usually, when the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams play, it’s a relatively short commute. But this evening, the teams will kick off the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Australia.
TL;DR
- The 49ers and Rams are playing the first NFL regular-season game in Australia.
- The 49ers arrived nine days early to adjust to the time difference, a strategy supported by sleep science.
- The Rams are attempting a rapid turnaround, landing just 24 hours before the game, hoping to minimize jet lag effects.
- Studies indicate that teams traveling across time zones can experience diminished performance due to disrupted circadian rhythms.
- The Rams' strategy is considered 'high risk, high reward,' potentially offering an advantage if players feel they are playing in the optimal late afternoon window.