The Atlanta Falcons suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday evening. After tying up the game on a Michael Penix Jr. touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts, the Falcons defense got a quick stop to give the offense a chance to win the game in regulation.
Penix completed a pass to Darnell Mooney with 38 seconds left but Atlanta chose not to use its two remaining timeouts and 20 seconds came off the clock before the next play.
The Falcons benefited from a pass interference penalty that set up a potential game-winning field goal from 56 yards. However, Riley Patterson’s kick came up short and the game went to overtime. The Commanders received the ball first and drove down for the game-winning touchdown.
Since Sunday’s overtime loss likely cost Atlanta a spot in the postseason, many were left wondering why the team didn’t use a timeout with 30-plus seconds left in the fourth quarter.
During the postgame press conference, head coach Raheem Morris was asked to explain why he didn’t call a timeout after Mooney’s catch.
“Probably could have,” Morris said. “I thought we could get to the line of scrimmage with our operation a little bit faster there,” Morris said. “Trying to save that timeout. In hindsight, could have been a good decision, or better decision to take that timeout, but I wanted to have the opportunity to move up there.”
While Morris is rightfully being criticized for his time management blunder, the Falcons still had a chance to win the game and simply couldn’t get it done. Atlanta struggled to stop Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels in the second half and overtime.
The Falcons possessed the ball for less than nine of the game’s final 30 minutes and just like that, Washington stole the momentum. Sunday’s loss will likely cost Atlanta a postseason berth.
Unless the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the New Orleans Saints next weekend, the Falcons will be watching the playoffs from home for the seventh year in a row.