Social Media Crushes Falcons' Raheem Morris for Clock Management 'Disaster'
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Winning on the road with a rookie quarterback in his second start against another playoff contender was always a tall order. But the Atlanta Falcons arguably didn't lose to the Washington Commanders in Week 17 because of rookie Michael Penix Jr. or their defense.
Falcons pundits and fans on social media is blaming head coach Raheem Morris' clock management.
All-time coaching disaster by Raheem Morris. Cost them a playoff spot.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) December 30, 2024
Penix threw his touchdown pass with 1:19 left in regulation. The extra point then tied the game, guaranteeing the Falcons overtime if their defense held Washington off the scoreboard on the final drive.
The Falcons defense did one better. The unit forced a 3-and-out, giving Penix and the offense one more chance to win in regulation.
Ultimately, that drive ended with a missed 56-yard field goal. But after a 25-yard completion to start the drive, the Falcons wasted 17 seconds before their next snap.
How many plays could they have run with that time if they had used one of their timeouts? How much closer could they have gotten for their field goal attempt?
Those are questions social media users asked after the game.
You can blame Patterson if you want, but I blame Raheem Morris. #Falcons should have had at least two more plays to make that an easier kick.
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 30, 2024
The Falcons win this game if Raheem Morris uses a timeout here… instead, 17 unnecessary seconds run off the clock 🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/AP499qpf02
— Kicks (@kicks) December 30, 2024
Kicker RIley Patterson's 56-yard attempt was on line but short. That only added fuel to the fire on social media.
Raheem Morris not calling a timeout with :30 left one of the most boneheaded decisions you will see
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 30, 2024
Even former Falcons players were critical of Morris' clock management.
What the hell we doing call the damn timeout.
— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) December 30, 2024
Wonder if not calling a timeout there late in the 4th quarter and allowing 16 seconds tick off the clock was a collaborative decision by the Atlanta owner and front office and coaching staff.
— BillShanks (@BillShanks) December 30, 2024
For fans who don't follow the Falcons on a daily basis, Shanks' tweet was making fun of Morris for the lip service he provided to the media about the organization's decision to switch from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr.
Obviously, the clock management was one of the topics Morris addressed during his postgame press conference. His explanation for why he didn't use a timeout with about 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter only made pundits more mad.
It’s Week 17, dude. Come on.
— BillShanks (@BillShanks) December 30, 2024
Just a BS answer. Every fan watching the game was screaming for a time out. Morris choked. That’s when you earn your millions as a head coach.
They’ll win next week but fall short and we’ll hear the same BS from Blank about how they made strides. BS. https://t.co/tNYiAZDN8R
Absolutely baffling answer. https://t.co/KAOIjqPZzP
— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) December 30, 2024
Given that Penix was in his second career start, it's difficult to imagine why Morris believed they could run their next play faster than they did. Even with the inexperienced signal caller, the Falcons moved to the line of scrimmage about as fast as one could expect.
It also wasn't like the Falcons were down to their last timeout in that moment. They had two timeouts available.
The Falcons used one of those timeouts in the final 10 seconds of regulation. Morris took the other one home with him.
Raheem Morris trying to take his timeouts to OT. pic.twitter.com/P37iv295Q7
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) December 30, 2024
The Falcons didn't touch the ball again after Patterson's missed field goal. They lost the coin toss to begin overtime and allowed a Washington touchdown to end the game.
With the loss, the Falcons dropped to 8-8. They now need a win and a Buccaneers loss in Week 18 to make the postseason.