49ers news: Why Richard Sherman believes San Francisco will beat the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams had one of the best offseason performances in NFL history, and they are the consensus favorites to win Super Bowl 61 because of it. The team traded for Myles Garrett , a two-time Defensive Player of the Year fresh off breaking the sack record. Trent McDuffie, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, was traded for as well.

McDuffie's old partner in crime, Jaylen Watson , was also signed in free agency, and all of these moves incentivized Aaron Donald to come out of retirement . The three-time Defensive Player of the Year re-joins a roster that features the reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford , as well as the best receiver duo in the NFL between Davante Adams and Puka Nacua . Despite all of this talent in Los Angeles , Richard Sherman predicts a Week 1 loss against the San Francisco 49ers .

"I just think the travel is going to be a factor," Sherman said. "I think that Kyle [Shanahan] is going to find a way to neutralize this pass-rush to some degree. It's the first game of the season; you've got to work out the kinks and wrinkles, and Kyle is going to have his team as prepared as any team."

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The 49ers are contenders in their own right, so they can certainly win this game. The fact that it is being played in Australia certainly plays a factor, too, and Donald won't be playing in the opener , which doesn't help the Rams' case. Even so, you have to wonder if Sherman is speaking with a little bit of bias, considering he played three seasons with the 49ers.