Mike Vrabel takes a dig at Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after he accused Patriots of cheating in Week 9

The New England Patriots continue to stack wins after beating the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9.

The one-point win didn't come without a bit of controversy, however. After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris accused the Patriots of "clapping" before the snap that led to an intentional grounding call on Michael Penix Jr. with about two minutes left in the fourth quarter. The penalty essentially killed the drive, as it created a 3rd and 20 from the Falcons' 42. They couldn't convert or get into field goal range and eventually lost.

"They simulated a snap," Morris told reporters after the game. "The ball came early, was snapped early. Within that snap, that was when we got the intentional grounding...

"... They were clapping and simulated our snap. Got to snap the ball. That's why the ball was snapped early on Mike when he wasn't ready for the snap.”

"Supposedly they were clapping," said Penix Jr. "For us, whenever I'm clapping, that means I want the ball. I knew (center Ryan Neuzil) said he heard them clapping, and he thought it was my clap, and he snapped the ball."

Patriots players quickly shot down Morris' accusations and Mike Vrabel even had some fun with it when he went on The Greg Hill Show Monday morning.

Vrabel labels Morris' claims as "Clapgate"

Vrabel rarely pulls punches when he speaks his mind and he gave his honest, and pretty funny, take on the whole situation in classic Vrabel style.

"I didn't see anything. Like, is that fake? I don't know," said Vrabel. "... I didn't see anybody do that... is it Clapgate?

"Maybe that's a testament to our fans. You know, I mean, it got loud, and I could hear the energy, and so thank [I] them for that."

Vrabel and the hosts then went on to joke about hiring a "designated clapper" to hide out in the stands and clap before snaps to confuse quarterbacks. It's a pretty funny exchange that starts at the 17:30 mark in the "Mike Vrabel Joins the Show Following a Close Win" embed.

If the Patriots did indeed simulate the snap, it would've been a 15-yard penalty that placed the Falcons in range to attempt the game-winning field goal, along with a fresh set of downs. Who knows what could've happened at that point.

However, when going back and rewatching the play, it's painfully obvious the Patriots did not clap on the play. NFL Pro has the film out already and the All-22 sideline angle does not show a single player clapping before the snap. All it is, ultimately, is an accusation that Morris will later regret.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports New England Patriots as Mike Vrabel takes a dig at Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after he accused Patriots of cheating in Week 9.