Rams plan rapid turnaround for Thursday night game in Melbourne
Head coach Sean McVay said the Los Angeles Rams will fly to Australia on Tuesday night and aim to minimize their stay before Thursday's matchup, emphasizing a streamlined travel schedule.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team will depart for Melbourne on Tuesday night, treating the trip as a brief, "quick-in, quick-out" operation ahead of Thursday night’s game. McVay explained that the schedule is designed to align with a Friday-evening routine for the players, allowing them to sleep and maintain normal rhythms before the contest.
"It’s Tuesday night for you guys, but it would be the equivalent of Friday evening. Sleep through the night and then we’ll get there and we have kind of a rhythm," McVay said.
The coach said the approach prioritizes keeping players in familiar routines and draws on practices used by other sports teams on similar long-distance trips. He added that the Rams intend to focus on preparation during the limited three-hour window they have for practice in Melbourne.
"Our expectation is our guys will be ready to go and I’m not worried about it because I know what our plans are," McVay said.
By limiting time in Australia, the Rams hope to reduce the need for extensive re-acclimation before their Week 2 road game against the New York Giants. The strategy contrasts with the San Francisco 49ers, who arrived earlier to adjust to the time zone before their opening game.
The NFL’s schedule reflects its broader effort to expand the league’s international presence, with teams adapting to travel demands as part of that initiative.