In a controversial moment during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris accused the New England Patriots of simulating his team’s snap count through clapping, which contributed to an intentional grounding penalty against quarterback Michael Penix Jr.. With only 2:09 left on the clock and the Falcons trailing 24-23 at the Patriots’ 48-yard line, the situation escalated quickly.
As center Ryan Neuzil snapped the ball prematurely, Penix and his offensive line were not prepared, resulting in immediate pressure from the Patriots’ defense. Penix threw the ball to the ground in the direction of tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., leading to a 10-yard penalty. The Falcons subsequently failed to convert on third-and-20, forcing them to punt and effectively ending their chance to win.
Under NFL rules, simulating an offense’s snap count is classified as a “disconcerting signal” and can incur a 15-yard penalty. Despite this, such calls are infrequent, as they often rely on subjective interpretation in the noise of a stadium. Morris described the situation: “They were clapping and simulated our snap. That’s why the ball got snapped early and Mike wasn’t ready for the snap.”
Penix echoed his coach’s sentiments, explaining that his usual clapping meant he was ready for the ball. “Neuzil said he heard them clapping and thought it was my clapping. He snapped the ball, and I threw the ball in [Pitts’] direction. I thought I was going to be OK with the grounding part, but obviously that wasn’t the case,” he said.
Earlier in the game, the Falcons could have tied the score but were thwarted when kicker Parker Romo missed an extra point following an 8-yard touchdown pass from Penix to wide receiver Drake London with just 4:44 remaining.
On the other side, Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams dismissed Morris’s claims, suggesting that a miscommunication among the Falcons’ offensive line was to blame. He stated, “I ain’t hear no clap. I’m looking at the ball. The ball moves, I’m gone.”
The Falcons faced further challenges as they lost left guard Matthew Bergeron to an ankle injury in the first quarter and right guard Chris Lindstrom to a foot injury in the fourth. They were replaced by Kyle Hinton and Jovaughn Gwyn, respectively, adding to the team’s difficulties in that critical moment.
As the season progresses, the Falcons will need to regroup and address both the fallout from this game and their performance under pressure. They remain hopeful for a stronger showing in their upcoming matchups, despite the controversies that arise on the field.
