The San Francisco 49ers have officially commenced their NFL season by departing for Australia to face the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 1 matchup. They took off on a nearly 15-hour flight, scheduled to land in Melbourne at 7:31 a.m. AEST on Friday, while the Rams will not travel until next week, spending less than 24 hours in Australia.

Super Bowl Contenders

An analysis ranked all 32 NFL teams by their chances of winning the Super Bowl, categorizing them into six tiers. Notable mentions include:

• Los Angeles Rams: Super Bowl or bust.
• Buffalo Bills: Got close in '25 and could break through in '26 after a coaching shake-up.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Entering the season with legitimate championship aspirations.
• Dallas Cowboys: Aiming to make the playoffs after a strong offensive season.
• Tennessee Titans: Projected to finish below .500 due to defensive concerns.
• Miami Dolphins: Considered contenders for the No. 1 pick.

Top QB-Coach Combos

Garrett Podell ranked the top QB-coach combinations in the NFL, excluding those with new coaches. Highlighted combos include:

• Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni (Eagles): A successful duo needing to maintain their momentum.
• Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh (Chargers): Overcame a disastrous offensive line situation to reach the postseason.
• Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen (Jaguars): Finished strong, leading the NFL in touchdowns over the last stretch.

Defining Games for 2026

Bryan DeArdo pinpointed key games that could shape the 2026 season:

• Week 3: Rams at Broncos, featuring star players like Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald.
• Week 12: Chiefs at Bills, a pivotal matchup between Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
• Week 17: Ravens at Bengals, showcasing top offensive talent.

Preseason Grades and Disappointments

Tyler Sullivan graded all 32 teams on their preseason performances, with the Rams earning an A and the Falcons an F. Additionally, a segment discussed potential disappointments for each team, citing factors such as coaching changes and strength of schedule.

Extra Points

• The Atlanta Falcons have yet to decide on their starting quarterback, while the Las Vegas Raiders confirmed Kirk Cousins as their starter for Week 1. Justin Tucker has also drawn interest from the New York Jets for a kicker position.

As the NFL season approaches, fans eagerly await what unfolds on the field.