Purdy throws three TDs as 49ers pull away from Rams in Melbourne opener

The 49ers have won the NFL's historic season opener in Melbourne, dominating the Rams 27-7 in the fourth quarter on the strength of three Brock Purdy touchdown passes.

Purdy's third scoring throw — a 15-yarder to Deebo Samuel — capped a 99-yard, 11-play drive that broke the game open early in the fourth quarter. The march was set up by Fred Warner and rookie Gracen Halton stuffing Matthew Stafford on a fourth-and-goal quarterback sneak from the 1-yard line, a stop that was upheld on replay. Purdy is 24-of-32 for 205 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and the 49ers have outgained the Rams 358-222.

Mike Evans' touchdown, a 2-yard grab on the 49ers' first drive of the second half, is his first in a San Francisco uniform and the 109th of his career after 108 in Tampa Bay. The veteran receiver has six catches for 49 yards, five of them coming on third down, and has looked every bit the marquee free-agent addition the 49ers hoped for.

The Rams, who have been the discussion of the offseason with all of their moves, looked slow and sluggish compared to a fresh 49ers team. The team that chose to travel the day before the game, unlike the 49ers, who traveled to Australia last week.

The game drew an announced crowd of 100,021 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground — the seventh-largest regular-season attendance in NFL history. San Francisco also lost rookie receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (left ankle) and tight end Jake Tonges (knee) to injuries during the night.