Morris claps back, says Patriots simulated snap

"FOXBORO, Mass. -- Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris said the New England Patriots defense simulated his team's snap on a key fourth-quarter play by clapping, leading to an intentional grounding penalty by Michael Penix Jr. in Sunday's loss. The Falcons trailed 24-23 with 2:09 remaining in the game and were at the Patriots' 48-yard line when center Ryan Neuzil snapped the ball on second down before Penix and other offensive linemen were ready for it."

"Penix was called for intentional grounding, which resulted in a loss of 10 yards and a loss of down. On the next play, Penix couldn't hit wide receiver David Sills V on third-and-20 and the Falcons punted, essentially ending the game. A defense simulating an offense's snap count or snap is a 15-yard penalty in the NFL under the header of "disconcerting signals." It's rarely called, however, because it's hard to pinpoint where exactly a clap or any sound could be coming from in a loud stadium."

"It's rarely called, however, because it's hard to pinpoint where exactly a clap or any sound could be coming from in a loud stadium. "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." Added Penix: "Whenever I'm clapping, that means I want the ball and [Neuzil] said he heard them clapping [and] he thought it was my clapping. He snapped the ball, I t"

With 2:09 remaining and the Falcons trailing 24-23 at New England's 48-yard line, center Ryan Neuzil snapped the ball before quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and other linemen were ready. The premature snap followed Patriots defenders clapping to simulate the Falcons' snap count. Penix threw the ball toward the dirt intended for tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. and was penalized for intentional grounding, costing 10 yards and a loss of down. The penalty set up a third-and-20 incompletion to David Sills V and a punt that effectively ended the Falcons' comeback. Simulating a snap is a 15-yard "disconcerting signals" penalty but is seldom called in loud stadiums.

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