It wouldn't be a true Patriots season if it went the entire year without a controversy, and that is exactly what the Falcons were hoping to accomplish after they suffered a brutal loss in Foxboro this past Sunday.
Maybe it was sour grapes, since they mainly lost after a missed extra point by Parker Romo, who they released on Tuesday morning. Or perhaps they legitimately believe the allegations they have made about the Patriots are true. But it didn't take long for their head coach to walk it back, despite the damage that had already been done.
It all began when Raheem Morris spoke to reporters after the loss and insinuated that the Patriots' defense simulated QB Michael Penix Jr.'s snap count by clapping, which led to their center snapping the ball early, and Penix was hit with an intentional grounding penalty.
That, of course, blew up around New England and the NFL, only for Morris to walk it back the next day, but it wasn't because he felt the Patriots were innocent, but more about saving himself (it seems) by placing the blame on players instead.
Raheem Morris tries to walk back the allegations made about the Patriots latest "cheating" scandal
Following the allegations that blew up in the hours after the game, Morris spoke to reporters again on Monday to somewhat clarify his statements about the Patriots' potential cheating.
He claimed he "didn't wanna make it a 'snapgate'" situation, but admitted he "probably already did," which is true, and stated that when he spoke about the alleged clapping, he was angry and repeating what players had told him about the bad snap.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris with an update on #ClapGate:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) November 3, 2025
“This was our players telling us that they simulated a snap out there. They heard something… It’s on us… That was just me being angry yesterday… I was just being honest about what the guys told me.”
(🎥 @AtlantaFalcons) https://t.co/N79NlqymBn pic.twitter.com/rLP990Es2p
While it's admirable that he wants to put out the fire he helped create, it's a little too late, given how easy it is for the rest of the league to pile on the Patriots whenever there are any allegations of cheating.
They're fortunate that this didn't become as big a deal as it might have in the past, and maybe that's because there is footage of the game where it's clear no Patriots' defender clapped to force an early snap.
It could also be because the biggest culprits of the dynasty era and their scandals are no longer with the team, which might provide the Patriots some leniency moving forward. Regardless, they're lucky this didn't become a bigger news story, or that kind of distraction could have completely derailed their season.