49ers vs. Rams Preview: NFC West & 2026 Predictions | We Want Winners

In this episode of We Want Winners — the San Francisco 49ers podcast on BSPN — Rod Adams and Garrett Gonzales preview the 2026 season ahead of Thursday's opener against the Rams in Australia.

They start with what has them confident in the 49ers: Brock Purdy's steady four-year track record, an offense loaded with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and new addition Mike Evans, and a linebacker corps strengthened by Dre Greenlaw's return alongside Fred Warner.

Then the worries — a defensive line still waiting on 2025 draft picks Mykel Williams and Alfred Collins to take a leap, age and durability questions around a 30-year-old McCaffrey and an injury-prone Mike Evans heading toward 33, and a receiver/tight end group banged up enough to help move Thursday's betting line toward the Rams.

From there, a look at the whole NFC West: the Rams are the Super Bowl favorite, the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks — who beat L.A. in overtime in Week 16 and again in the NFC Championship — are the forgotten team of the offseason, and the 49ers sit third in the division odds but very much in the playoff mix. Rod and Garrett also give their predictions for the entire NFL season.

Finally, a full preview of Thursday's opener at Melbourne Cricket Ground: the Rams have moved to 3.5-point favorites (up from 2.5) after trading for Myles Garrett and adding Trent McDuffie on defense, while the 49ers go in short-handed at receiver and tight end.

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