NFL Fans Blast Falcons’ Play-Calling After Failed 4th Down in Loss to Mahomes, Chiefs

Andrew PetersSeptember 23, 2024

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Kansas Chiefs remained undefeated after a tight 22-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

While the Falcons led for most of the first half, the Chiefs remained within striking distance before taking the lead on the first drive of the second half thanks to a field goal from Harrison Butker. Kansas City then made it a 22-14 lead on a touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Atlanta cut into the lead with a field goal early in the fourth, but that would be its final points of the game. Kirk Cousins led the Falcons down the field in an attempt at a game-winning drive, but a questionable call on fourth and short meant Atlanta turned it over on downs to seal the game for the Chiefs.

NFL @NFLChiefs get the stop on fourth down!!!!

📺: #KCvsATL on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5aUfSMdG6o

After coming up short on the crucial fourth down, fans were disappointed with head coach Raheem Morris, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and Atlanta’s coaching staff.

Steve Wyche @wyche89That was your game on the line play call??!! pic.twitter.com/CoFLlbI19T

Ari Wasserman @AriWassermanIf you’re facing a 4th-and-1 and you call a run play that runs toward the sideline, you are not qualified for being a head coach in the NFL.

Sam Wagman @swagman95The Chiefs are locking down the running game all night long and Zac Robinson calls a run play on 4th and game?

The Falcons are a continuing joke of an org man

Danny Smyth @_DannySmythGood job, Falcons. That might have been one of the dumbest plays of the day. 4th & 1, game on the line, and you call a stretch run play instead of going straight up the middle? Why?

Robert Griffin III @RGIII4th and inches and you run side ways?!?)?
Come on man. QB sneak it or run down hill.

Steve Wyche @wyche89Man, if Cousins can’t sneak it, put Allgeier or Bijan in a wildcat and simplify things. What a bad play call

Chris Vannini @ChrisVanniniFalcons ran off-tackle to a side where there were more defenders than blockers. pic.twitter.com/FeMRMJJTDh

Wes Blankenship @Wes_nshipFalcons lost two offensive linemen and decided to run all the way to Peachtree City on 4th and inches

Hardcore Doughty @calstanvardChiefs do everything possible to let the Falcons win but Atlanta calls the dumbest play on 4th and inches with the game on the line. They call a sweep to the outside with their slow lumbering RB instead of one of the most athletic humans on planet earth. Falcons deserve to lose.

Jamey Eisenberg @JameyEisenbergWhat awful play calls by the Falcons

Alex Barth @RealAlexBarthTwo tries to get one yard and they can’t get it. The Falcons deserved to lose that game.

The Falcons faced a similar situation a week ago as they trailed the Philadelphia Eagles late, and Cousins led Atlanta 70 yards down the field to score and win the game. The magic from last week’s win ran out on Sunday.

It was just Morris’ third game as the Falcons’ head coach, but he already has a moment to learn from moving forward.

Aside from the questionable play-calling late in the fourth quarter, the Falcons held their own against the defending champs, which is a positive sign for a team in the middle of a rebuild. Cousins, who had a rough debut for Atlanta in Week 1, is finding his groove and had 230 passing yards and a touchdown on Sunday.

But there’s clearly still work to do for the Falcons, and they’ll get the chance to bounce back against their NFC South rival next week when they take on the New Orleans Saints.