The Atlanta Falcons suffered a tough 22-17 loss at home to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. The loss was all the more painful because Atlanta had a chance to score the game-winning goal on its last possession.
After traveling 49 yards to the Chiefs’ 13-yard line, the Falcons faced a fourth-and-one attempt to keep the offense alive with 0:58 left. But instead of calling for a quarterback sneak that likely would have given them a first down with less than a yard left, Atlanta called for an outside run to Bijan Robinson to the left, which was blocked by the Chiefs’ defense.
Robinson lost three yards on that play and the Falcons lost the ball – and the game – on downs.
Atlanta coach Raheem Morris was asked Monday about the play call on that fourth down (and also the call on the third down, where Tyler Allgeier was tackled for no gain). Why not call a QB sneak, which would be a short push, rather than an outside run that would have to develop?
“That was definitely part of the discussion last night, sneaks and stuff like that,” Morris said, via reporter Terrin Waack. “I feel really good about our two backs.”
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on why the fourth-and-one play wasn’t a quarterback sneak: “That was definitely part of the discussion last night, sneaks and stuff like that. I feel really good about our two (running) backs.” It just didn’t work this time.
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) 23 September 2024
Morris is right that he has two productive running backs in Robinson and Allgeier. But Kansas City had kept both players in check up until that point. Robinson had 34 yards (an average of 2.3 yards per run) and Allgeier had 32. But there was less than a yard to be gained. Even if a QB sneak was not wanted, why not call for an inside run?
When asked if the decision was not his but that of offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Morris said the decision was made jointly.
“In this particular situation, it was a collaboration,” Morris said. “It obviously didn’t work. But this was not someone’s own decision.”
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on whether offensive coordinator Zac Robinson made the play on fourth and one: “In that particular situation, it was a collaboration. … It obviously didn’t work. But that wasn’t a decision made by anyone.”
— Terrin Waack (@TerrinWaack) 23 September 2024
Was there any concern about putting Kirk Cousins so hard on the field after he tore his Achilles tendon? Was there any doubt that backup center Ryan Neuzil, who is replacing the injured Drew Dalman, would be able to execute the play properly?
This may have played a role in the discussion that Morris said took place before the fourth down. But as he made clear, the Falcons coaches’ sweep play didn’t work. As a result, Atlanta is 1-2 after its first three games and must ask itself whether it might have pulled off a win with better plays and decisions.
