Rams' Week 1 travel plans could require an extra jolt on game day

Flying directly from Los Angeles, California, to Melbourne, Australia, is not for the weak-hearted. Traveling by air takes around 17 hours. Tourists stay a week or more to make the trip worth doing. That's how the San Francisco 49ers are planning for Week 1.

But the Los Angeles Rams have another approach. They plan to fly to Melbourne the day before kickoff, settle in for the game on Thursday, and disembark for another grueling flight back home. Somehow, they'll have to deliver their peak performance without acclimating to a foreign climate or time zone.

The Rams must be counting on fantastic coffee to shake off jet lag.

Believe it or not, coffee is not some blogger's attempt at spitballing a possible solution to an impossible problem. Studies indicate that caffeine can mask the fatigue associated with jet lag and circadian rhythm ailments. While the Niners have enjoyed a less than ideally effective week of practice, LA has spent that time preparing in familiar territory.

Rams' unique travel plan is strategically sound

Stuck on the West Coast in the continental USA, the Rams deal with tremendous travel distances each season. For opponents, traveling to California is a one-time inconvenience. But for the Horns, repeated visits to the East Coast can take a toll. Now they face a long trip in the other direction.

Due to the long distance, some have speculated that newly unretired defensive lineman Aaron Donald might sit out Week 1. But he didn't come back to the NFL to be left behind. Donald is not only accompanying his teammates to Melbourne, you already know he'll want to see action in the game.

Sean McVay did not provide an update during Sunday's media session. Ultimately, the decision will come down to how Donald feels when the Rams deboard the flight.

His return could be just the emotional boost to claim victory. But the real secret sauce of LA's strategy comes in Week 2. While San Francisco suffers another round of jet lag due to acclimating back to San Francisco time, the Rams simply need to sleep off the impact of two long-distance trips.

While it won't result in restful sleep, some reports indicate players will have access to beds during flights to and from Australia. The 49ers, who have already landed on Friday, did not disclose their flight amenities.

One game, two different strategies. Hopefully the Horns' gamble pays off. Upon arrival, perhaps step No. 1 will be finding a strong cup of Melbourne coffee.

As always, thanks for reading.

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