Falcons’ Raheem Morris Blasts Patriots for Illegal Tactic During Key Moment
In a dramatic post-game press conference, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris accused the New England Patriots of using an illegal tactic to simulate the snap count during the game’s crucial final moments. The accusation came after a
What Happened on the Field?
With just over two minutes left in a tie game, Penix was leading the Falcons' offense down the field with a chance to win. However, on a critical 3rd‑down play, the Falcons were called for an intentional grounding penalty after Penix threw the ball away under pressure. Morris believes the penalty resulted from the Patriots' defense simulating the snap count using claps just before the ball was hiked.
“They were clapping — simulating our snap. Got us to snap the ball and that’s why the ball was snapped early,” said Morris. “It’s frustrating because it wasn’t just a simple mistake. We were trying to make the most of that drive, and they used a tactic that threw us off.”
The premature snap from Ryan Neuzil, the Falcons' center, resulted in Penix throwing the ball away to avoid a sack, leading to the grounding penalty that ultimately derailed the drive.
What Penix Had to Say
Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons' young quarterback, echoed Morris’s frustration, saying that he and his offensive line were caught off guard by the sudden clapping from the Patriots’ defense.
“I thought I had the timing right. I heard the clap, and I thought it was our signal,” Penix explained. “But it wasn’t. It threw off the whole play. I don’t think anyone on the line was expecting it. That’s on me for not getting that communication right.”
Penix’s self‑reflection underscores the importance of clear communication, particularly in high‑pressure moments. While it’s unclear whether the Patriots’ actions were intentional, the confusion they caused was undeniable.
The Patriots’ Denial
In contrast, the Patriots’ defense vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Defensive tackle Milton Williams dismissed the accusation outright:
“I didn’t hear any clap from our side. I’m just focused on the ball. We didn’t do anything out of the ordinary.”
Williams said after the game. “If they think it threw them off, that’s on them.”
Head coach Mike Vrabel also brushed off the claims, commenting with a wry smile:
“I didn’t see anybody doing that. I mean, I guess we can call it ‘Clapgate,’ but that’s just the way it goes sometimes in football. You’ve got to be aware of the situation, and they weren’t.”
The Bigger Picture
If Morris’ accusations prove valid, the Falcons may have grounds for a formal review by the league for “disconcerting signals,” which could lead to a penalty against the Patriots for unsportsmanlike conduct. However, the Falcons’ inability to execute in that moment also raised questions about their offensive discipline and preparedness.
“We need to be better in those situations. No matter what the other team does, we’ve got to execute,” Penix said after the game. “We can’t let anything throw us off, even if it’s something like this.”
What’s Next for the Falcons?
While the loss stings, especially with Morris accusing the Patriots of playing dirty, the Falcons must move forward. They can’t afford to dwell on a call that they believe was unfair. Instead, they’ll need to focus on correcting their own mistakes—something that Morris is already addressing in his post‑game remarks.
“We’ve got to clean up our execution, regardless of what anyone else does,” Morris said firmly. “We’ll take our lumps and learn from this, but I expect better next week.”
The Falcons' journey through this season has had its highs and lows, and this loss to the Patriots was another lesson in a year filled with them. Whether the NFL investigates the accusations or not, the Falcons will need to rebound quickly as they face their next opponent.
49ers trade deadline plans are now obvious after latest injury update
The San Francisco 49ers notched another win on Sunday, moving to 6-3 after defeating the New York Giants 34-24. While winning has been a theme for the Niners this season, so have significant injuries. Unfortunately, San Francisco experienced both in Week 9.
The major injury in this game happened to Mykel Williams, who is feared to have suffered a torn ACL.
The rookie edge defender will be the latest key player the 49ers lose for the season, and also the latest edge in San Francisco to go down with an injury. The Niners were already thin at that position and were expected to acquire an edge defender ahead of the trade deadline, but now they may be forced to make a trade if Williams is out for the remainder of the year.
Early in the season, San Francisco lost perennial Pro Bowler and 2022 Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa to an ACL injury. Bosa’s absence put a strain on the group, and that strain was intensified when Bryce Huff went down with a hamstring injury in Week 7. Huff is expected to return this year, but he has missed the last two games, leaving the 49ers without much of a pass rush.
Now, Williams has joined his veterans on the injury report, and San Francisco has no choice but to add a veteran edge defender. Fortunately for the Niners, there are options. The most likely options both play for the Miami Dolphins, who have officially opened up for business after falling to 2-7 and firing their general manager. Outside linebackers Bradley Chubb and Matthew Judon are both trade candidates, and San Francisco could actually use both of them.
With the trade deadline on Tuesday, Nov. 4, the 49ers will surely be active up until that point.
San Francisco clearly has a competitive team, so it needs to try and fill the gaps while it can.
