Raheem Morris. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Falcons HC addresses failed final play against Chiefs

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Sep 23, 2024 4:21 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons were criticized over what turned out to be their final offensive play in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. On Monday, head coach Raheem Morris offered an explanation for the decision.

The Falcons had the ball and were trailing the Chiefs 22-17 with under a minute left at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. Facing fourth-and-inches at the Kansas City 12-yard line and needing a first down to keep the game alive, the Falcons ran a sweep with running back Bijan Robinson. The Chiefs were all over the call and stuffed Robinson in the backfield to effectively end the game.

Running back Tyler Allgeier had been stopped on 3rd-and-1, so perhaps the Falcons thought they could catch the Chiefs off-guard with a sweep play. Many felt Atlanta would have been better off having Kirk Cousins run a quarterback sneak.

Morris said on Monday that Cousins’ lack of mobility was a factor in the play call.

“I don’t think Kirk is one of the more mobile guys, regardless of the Achilles (injury),” Morris told reporters including Marc Raimondi of ESPN.

Morris on no QB sneak: I don't think Kirk is one of the more mobile guys, regardless of the Achilles. #Falcons

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) September 23, 2024

Morris also said the decision to run a sweep with Robinson was “very much collaborative” and not one person’s call.

Morris said the fourth down call was "very much collaborative." Morris: That was not a self-made decision by anybody, by any means. #Falcons
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) September 23, 2024

A quarterback does not need to be mobile for a QB sneak, so that was a poor excuse from Morris. Heck, few quarterbacks in NFL history were more effective with the sneak play than Tom Brady. The Falcons apparently just thought they could outsmart Kansas City with a surprising play call. Had it worked, Morris and Co. would have been praised for it.

Cousins has faced questions this season about whether he is fully recovered from the torn Achilles he suffered last year. It would not be a surprise if the Falcons were trying to protect their quarterback on fourth-and-inches, even if Morris is not going to admit it.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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