Falcons’ Coach Accuses Patriots of Snap Simulation in Close NFL Loss

Following the New England Patriots' narrow 24-23 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris accused the Patriots of simulating the Falcons' snap count by clapping, which led to an early snap and an intentional grounding penalty against Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. This crucial penalty occurred late in the fourth quarter and contributed to the Falcons' inability to sustain their final drive. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responded to the accusations on a radio show by coining the term "Clapgate," expressing surprise and denying any deliberate attempt to deceive the offense, suggesting the clapping could have come from fans. Falcons players and coaches maintained that the Patriots’ defense mimicked the snap signals, which, if proven, would be a rare and penalizable offense under NFL rules. Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams denied any such tactic, attributing the confusion to a miscommunication on the Falcons' side. Despite the controversy, the Falcons showed strong performance overall, but the snap simulation claim has sparked debate about fair play and officiating in this intense rivalry.