FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris stated the New England Patriots protection simulated his staff’s snap on a key fourth-quarter play by clapping, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty by Michael Penix Jr. in Sunday’s loss.
The Falcons trailed 24-23 with 2:09 remaining within the sport and had been on the Patriots’ 48-yard line when heart Ryan Neuzil snapped the ball on second down earlier than Penix and different offensive linemen had been prepared for it. The Patriots instantly pressured Penix, who threw the ball towards the grime within the course of tight finish Kyle Pitts Sr.
Penix was known as for intentional grounding, which resulted in a lack of 10 yards and a lack of down. On the following play, Penix couldn’t hit vast receiver David Sills V on third-and-20, and the then Falcons punted, primarily ending the sport.
A protection simulating an offense’s snap depend or snap is a 15-yard penalty within the NFL underneath the header of “disconcerting indicators.” It’s hardly ever known as, nevertheless, as a result of it’s onerous to pinpoint the place precisely a clap or any sound may very well be coming from in a loud stadium.
“They had been clapping and simulated our snap,” Morris stated. “That’s why the ball acquired snapped early and Mike wasn’t prepared for the snap.”
Added Penix: “Every time I’m clapping, which means I would like the ball and [Neuzil] stated he heard them clapping [and] he thought it was my clapping. He snapped the ball, I threw the ball in [Pitts’] course. He had simply launched on routes. I believed I used to be going to be OK with the grounding half, however clearly that wasn’t the case.”
The Falcons might have tied it earlier within the fourth quarter, however kicker Parker Romo missed the additional level after an 8-yard landing move from Penix to vast receiver Drake London with 4:44 left.
Patriots defensive deal with Milton Williams denied that his staff was utilizing clapping to simulate the snap and stated that there might need been a miscommunication on the Falcons’ offensive line.
Atlanta left guard Matthew Bergeron exited with an ankle harm within the first quarter, and proper guard Chris Lindstrom left the sport within the fourth with a foot harm. They had been changed by Kyle Hinton and Jovaughn Gwyn, respectively.
“I ain’t hear no clap,” Williams stated. “I’m trying on the ball. The ball strikes, I’m gone.”
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