Less than 24 hours after the Falcons had a chance to pull off a tone-setting victory over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris had time to reflect on the game’s defining plays.
Trailing by five on Kansas City’s 13-yard line with just 1:03 remaining in Sunday night’s 22-17 home loss, Atlanta running backs Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson needed just a yard to pick up a crucial first down but were stuffed on back-to-back plays as the Chiefs forced a turnover on downs.
When asked if a Kirk Cousins quarterback sneak was discussed, Morris explained his reasoning.
“It was a consideration,” Morris said in Monday’s presser. “But people play sneak defenses now. Defenses now are sneak-ready and more conscientious above all. It was definitely part of the discussion last night, sneaks and things of that nature. But I feel really good about our two backs getting first downs and picking up half a yard, just unfortunate (Sunday) night that it didn’t work.”
Adding injury to insult, a pair of starting offensive linemen left Sunday’s game with injuries. Right tackle Kaleb McGary exited in the first half with what appears to be an MCL sprain, while center Drew Dalman left in the first half with what is believed to be a high ankle sprain. Both players are set to undergo MRIs to confirm.
Reserves Ryan Neuzil and Storm Norton filled in for Dalman and McGary for the remainder of Sunday’s game.
“I’ll know more after today,” Morris said. “We’ll get a better feel, particularly going into our practices. … But Neuzil and Storm went out there and executed well for us.”
Looking ahead to an important three-week stretch where Atlanta will face each NFC South divisional foe, the Falcons gear up for Sunday’s home game against the New Orleans Saints. In last season’s final game, Atlanta was blown out at New Orleans 48-17 under former head coach Arthur Smith.
In Smith’s final game as Atlanta’s coach, the Saints faked a kneel-down formation and pushed across a touchdown with 1:10 left, adding to the bitterness of the rivalry.
“I don’t go with motivation that I wasn’t a part of,” Morris said. “If you need any more motivation to play against a division rival from the South, then you’re probably in the wrong building. There’s no secret about the Saints, the Bucs and Carolina, but particularly this week, the team that you focus on better be the Saints. You’ve got to find a way to go out there and beat a really competitive, well-coached team at our place.”
Atlanta (1-2) is tied with Carolina, sitting behind the 2-1 Saints and Buccaneers.
–Field Level Media