This article was written by Mark J. Burns and published on Sport & State, a new media company founded by Clay Travis that is built around sports, culture, original voices, and live conversation.
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The NFL went Down Under in Week 1 for 49ers-Rams in its first-ever regular season contest in Australia. It had a bigger-game feel at times, if I’m being generous, to open the league’s international calendar in 2026.
“It almost has a Super Bowl kind of vibe with the energy coming into this kickoff,” said play by play caller Noah Eagle as the camera panned around the stadium to show fans holding red, white, and blue cards to illustrate the NFL logo.
This is what it looks like in Melbourne for the 49ers vs. Rams.
Over 100,000 fans inside the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
AMAZING! 🇦🇺
LIVE now on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/G1W5lgW8tw
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) September 11, 2026
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy chopped up the Los Angeles defense for three touchdowns and 205 passing yards, while wide receiver Mike Evans recorded six catches for 49 yards and one touchdown in his 49ers debut. The 49ers won, 27-7.
Enter ‘embrace debate’ on Friday’s TV segments, as all of the pundits will quickly become experts on sleep science — if you know, you know. The 49ers social media team might have won that debate on its own with a single postgame Tweet. Well done.
Sleep tight 🙏 pic.twitter.com/aQEIvkCUyh
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 11, 2026
So, So Down Under
Meanwhile, Netflix aired the matchup, its first of five regular season broadcasts this season, as the streamer continues to invest in “live” sports — it’s one of the biggest sports media topics to follow this NFL season.
And yet, maybe Netflix could also invest in some better production quality, though I did like the picture quality and new scorebug (cue the shameless plug for my in-depth feature of TV sports’ viewers nerdiest obsession).
Netflix’s 2025 Christmas NFL scorebug compared to the bug it debuted today: https://t.co/RUp3PBsNad pic.twitter.com/UEjqCOuVBW
— Sports TV News & Updates (@TVSportsUpdates) September 11, 2026
As much as the broadcast captured beauty shots around Melbourne Cricket Ground, picturesque views of the Australian coastline, and close-ups of fans singing “Sweet Caroline,” I couldn’t help but have to continue to turn up the volume to hear Eagle and analyst Luke Kuechly over the crowd noise.
TV peeps – why does this @netflix production feel “off” compared other #NFL broadcasts?#LARvsSF
— Mac Engel (@MacEngelProf) September 11, 2026
Netflix needs to figure out audio if they are gonna do live sports, @RichLightShed
Maybe study @NBCSports
— Walter Piecyk (@WaltLightShed) September 11, 2026
But hey, it’s Week 1. We’re all still working out the kinks. Even Kuechly and host Elle Duncan.
Kuechly, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the Panthers, clearly explained touchdowns and interceptions with the telestrator, showing his command as an analyst. I also appreciated his honesty during the 49ers’ first drive when he said he was “a little surprised” that coach Kyle Shanahan opted to attempt a chip shot field goal versus going for it on 4th and goal at the Rams’ 2-yard line. Still, he repeated words or phrases dozens of times throughout the broadcast as he tried to find the right words to finish his sentences.
With Duncan, she drew fans’ attention — and not necessarily in a good way — for her choice of clothing attire, which included a sleeveless suit and black leather gloves. Look, I’m not a self-described fashionista, but what?
Nice gloves. pic.twitter.com/EMuwcqiTrR
— Joe Kinsey (@JoeKinseyexp) September 10, 2026
The former ESPNer sounded rushed at times, especially in the pregame, and wasn’t her best at being the quarterback on the desk for analysts Michael Irvin, Nick Foles, and Clay Matthews.
At times, the broadcast even felt a bit forced, almost cringe-inducing, like when Purdy, defensive lineman Nick Bosa, and linebacker Fred Warner wore kangaroo coats following the team’s victory.
It was only right 🦘
📺: Netflix pic.twitter.com/1i88k2xSHf
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 11, 2026
Or when the land acknowledgement announcement came earlier in the pregame festivities.
Australia’s first ever NFL game began with a land acknowledgment. This is insane. Australia also has a national sorry day where the country apologizes to the aborigines every year. If you think the US can’t get crazier, it can. pic.twitter.com/E5zuYY7XLR
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) September 11, 2026
Yes, Netflix made NFL history Down Under on Thursday, but oddly enough, the broadcast at times felt like it was trying too hard.
The streamer has four more chances this NFL season to get it right.
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