LANDOVER, Md. — Raheem Morris and the Atlanta Falcons are left reflecting on their missed opportunities after an overtime defeat to the Washington Commanders, where they squandered several timeouts that could have changed the game’s outcome. The Falcons hoped for a win to set up a straightforward path to the playoffs, but the loss leaves Tampa Bay in a strong position for the NFC South title.
Throughout the game, Morris appeared reluctant to utilize his timeouts effectively. He did not use any of his three available timeouts at the end of the first half and settled for a less advantageous field goal. In the crucial closing moments of regulation, even with two timeouts remaining, Riley Patterson’s last-second attempt from 56 yards fell short, missing the opportunity for a tying play.
Morris recognized that he could have used one of his timeouts after a significant 25-yard completion from Michael Penix Jr. to Darnell Mooney with just 40 seconds left on the clock. Instead, the time ticked down to 17 seconds as Morris aimed to preserve the timeout. “Looking back, taking that timeout would have been the smarter move, but I was focused on getting closer to the goal line,” he stated post-game, citing the need for improved operational timing moving forward.
Poor coaching decisions proved costly for the Falcons, including their significant reduction in running plays during the second half, despite having success earlier in the game. Bijan Robinson accumulated 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries before halftime but received a mere four carries for 8 yards in the second half.
Penix, who is in his first NFL season and making only his second start, highlighted a third-quarter three-and-out as a pivotal moment that disrupted Atlanta’s rhythm. The team lost possession for an extensive 12:53 during that quarter, leaving them with only 2:07 of offensive time. “We didn’t have much time with the ball,” Penix observed, noting that sustaining drives is critical for success. “Going three-and-out puts you in a tough spot, and we must focus on getting points every time we step onto the field.”
The Falcons had an opportunity to extend their lead to 21-7 right before halftime but opted for a field goal, a choice Morris justified by stating his intention to prevent the Commanders from getting another scoring chance. “Took the field goal. Got out of dodge,” he explained regarding the decision.
Penix also deferred to Morris regarding timeout management, emphasizing trust in the coach’s judgment. “That’s up to Coach Raheem,” he said. “He calls the timeouts at his discretion. We have faith in his decisions, and we’re committed to that approach.”
Now, the Falcons find themselves needing help from New Orleans to overcome Tampa Bay, along with a victory against Carolina to have any hope of playoff contention after a troubling stretch with five losses in their last seven games.
