Overview
- With 2:09 left at the New England 48, an early snap led Michael Penix Jr. to intentional grounding that set up 3rd-and-20, and Atlanta later punted in a 24-23 loss.
- Raheem Morris said Patriots defenders clapped to mimic the Falcons’ snap, and Penix said center Ryan Neuzil believed he heard the quarterback’s clap.
- Patriots defensive tackle Milton Williams denied any clapping occurred and attributed the sequence to Atlanta’s timing rather than defensive deception.
- Officials did not assess a disconcerting signals penalty, and available video reviews have not clearly shown Patriots players clapping before the snap.
- Atlanta also dealt with in-game offensive line injuries and a missed extra point, and the result moved New England to 7-2 and dropped the Falcons to 3-5.