Falcons Coach Raheem Morris Breaks Silence on Controversial Late-Game Decisions Against Commanders

As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, frustration built in the air for Atlanta Falcons fans watching from home. With each passing second, it seemed inevitable that head coach Raheem Morris would call a timeout to preserve time. But he didn’t. Instead, 16 valuable seconds evaporated, hindering the Falcons’ chances of securing a road win against the Washington Commanders in regulation. Atlanta ultimately fell, 30-24, in overtime, with the offense never even getting the ball.

Falcons’ Final Drive and Missed Opportunity

With 40 seconds left in a 24-24 tie, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took the snap at the 19-yard line. On first down, he connected with wide receiver Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard gain, bringing the Falcons to the Washington 46-yard line with 32 seconds remaining. At this point, the Falcons still had two timeouts.

But instead of calling one, Morris allowed 16 seconds to tick away, leaving his team with just 17 seconds to move into field goal range. The Falcons ran three more plays, and with the help of a defensive pass interference penalty, they set up a 56-yard field goal attempt by Riley Patterson. Unfortunately, Patterson’s kick fell short, ending Atlanta’s hopes of clinching the game in regulation.

Although the Falcons used one timeout on a stopped clock, their third timeout was never used. After the game, Morris explained his decision-making, admitting that he believed the Falcons could operate more quickly to get another play off. “I thought we could get to the line of scrimmage faster,” he said. “Trying to save that timeout… In hindsight, maybe it would have been better to use the timeout and give ourselves more time to move up.”

Similar Mistakes Earlier in the Game

Unfortunately for Morris, this wasn’t the only instance of questionable clock management. A similar situation occurred in the second quarter. With all three timeouts available, Penix connected with Mooney for a 12-yard gain to the Washington 36-yard line with 40 seconds remaining before halftime. Despite having a full set of timeouts, the Falcons allowed the clock to dwindle down to 20 seconds before snapping the ball.

Ultimately, Atlanta had to settle for a field goal, rather than taking additional shots at the end zone with time to spare. “Had an opportunity to score right there at the end of the half,” Morris said. “No time, took the field goal, got out of dodge. There are always a lot of things you can clean up. A lot of things you can do better, particularly with a young quarterback.”

Clock Management Problems Persist in the NFL

Morris’s decision-making isn’t unique. Across the league, we’ve seen other coaches make similar miscalculations this season, particularly with rookie quarterbacks at the helm. Former Bears coach Matt Eberflus made a comparable error that cost his team on Thanksgiving, and other teams have fallen victim to poor time management as well.

The mistakes were particularly evident in Morris’s handling of the clock. Had he used his timeouts more strategically, the Falcons might have had more opportunities to score. It’s impossible to say whether that would have changed the outcome of the game, but the reality is clear: the unused timeouts did nothing for Atlanta.

Falcons’ Playoff Implications

The loss dropped the Falcons to second place in the NFC South, effectively ending their hopes of securing the division title. To make the playoffs, Atlanta now needs to win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18, while also hoping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the New Orleans Saints. It’s a tough path, but the Falcons still have a slim chance to claim the NFC South crown.

Looking Ahead: The Need for Improvement

For Morris and his coaching staff, it’s clear that clock management must improve, especially in high-pressure moments. While rookie quarterbacks are still learning the ropes, coaching decisions like these are also key to team success. If the Falcons want to make a playoff run, they will need to avoid repeating these costly mistakes in the future.