While the San Francisco 49ers were busy preparing for their Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, NFL fans were given a treat on Thursday night. The primetime game between the Lions and Bills featured a combined 72 points and 801 yards of offense.
In contrast, the 49ers' first game against the Rams had a combined 34 points. San Francisco's defense looked significantly improved from last year with new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris leading the unit.
One stat on Thursday Night Football led to such a colorful scoreboard, and because of that metric, the Niners may never partake in a shootout of similar caliber this season.
49ers appear to be excellent at not beating themselves with penalties
While Thursday night's game featured countless talented skill players on both sides, numerous defensive penalties kept drives going and led to even more points on the scoreboard. The Lions in particular committed 10 such offenses. As a result, the Bills put up 41 points.
Both teams bailed each out on numerous occasions with silly personal fouls, untimely third-down mistakes, and unnecessary holding, and it resulted in a largely undisciplined effort from both defensive units.
The 49ers, in comparison, committed just two penalties in their first game. It was a huge reason why Matthew Stafford delivered one of his worst performances in a long time. Despite Puka Nacua demanding attention out wide, the 49ers' secondary stayed disciplined, refusing to let their technique and attention to detail slip.
Raheem Morris has brought discipline with him to 49ers
While the returns of Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are largely to thank for the defensive improvements, Raheem Morris has brought an important track record with him, and it seems to have made an early impact on the red and gold.
Both sides of the ball struggled at times, but they remained disciplined throughout the season, committing the sixth fewest penalties in the league. Given the Niners' early defensive restraint in 2026, it appears Morris has brought that trend to the Bay.
If the discipline continues to carry over, opponents might have trouble dragging the Niners into high-scoring affairs. Early on, the defense seems to be steadfast in not beating itself, which is a foundational building block of all elite defenses.
Fantasy football owners got a treat Thursday night, but they shouldn't expect to see such inflated numbers when their players face the San Francisco defense. If the 49ers are able to turn the Super Bowl-favored Rams into a dysfunctional mess, there is no telling what else they are capable of.
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