What happened: San Francisco began the 2026 regular season by beating the Rams in Australia. Collinsworth's reaction framed the opener as a decisive result for the 49ers rather than a tight Week 1 escape.

Why it matters: A 1-0 start can swing early perception quickly, especially when it comes on an international stage. The 49ers also opened the year with continuity after Kyle Shanahan agreed to an offseason extension before the season.

What to watch: What comes next is whether San Francisco can carry that opening-week form into its second game. Another strong outing would turn a loud Week 1 review into an early-season trend.