The Atlanta Falcons entered the season with high expectations. With a core featuring Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and several other key players who now have solid NFL experience, the team seemed poised to take the next step. However, after a loss to the New England Patriots, Atlanta sits at 3-5. A lopsided defeat to the Miami Dolphins the week before didn’t help their case either.
“It wasn't a bad effort from the Falcons. It was the type of game, losing on the road to a divisional leader, that can be forgiven if they hadn't just been blown out at home by the Dolphins,” SI’s Scott Kennedy wrote. “However, the Atlanta Falcons now find themselves sitting at 3-5, 5-11 in their last 16 games. The trade deadline is Tuesday, and they should be sellers to pick up more draft picks with only five next year.”
The Falcons had a chance to drive down the field and kick a game-winning field goal in the final three minutes. But an early snap caught quarterback Michael Penix Jr. off guard, resulting in an intentional grounding call. After the game, head coach Raheem Morris didn’t hold back on criticizing New England.
“They were clapping and simulated our snap," Morris said. "That's why the ball got snapped early and Mike wasn't ready for the snap."
Morris wasn’t afraid to put Mike Vrabel’s team on blast. The alleged pre-snap simulation resulted in a 10-yard loss and a loss of down — a costly sequence in a tight game. Still, Morris believes the Falcons should have closed it out.
“We've got to find a way to win that one for our team, for our fans and everybody else that's watching," said Morris.
The Falcons now find themselves in a difficult position. If the Patriots truly simulated the snap, the officials’ failure to call it was a massive blow to Atlanta. There’s a big difference between four losses and five.
While Morris stood firm in his accusation of illegal play, the game might not have come down to that moment if kicker Parker Romo hadn’t missed an extra point earlier. For Morris, simulated snap or not, it’s starting to feel like his clock might already be ticking.