Can the Falcons upset the NFC? | Breakfast Ball
The 2024/25 NFL season is almost here, and Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth make some bold predictions about who will make the playoffs in the NFC. This includes the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons.
NFL fans tuning in to watch the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs play each other were upset with the officiating at the end of the game over a play involving tight end Kyle Pitts.
Kirk Cousins led the Falcons on a 15-play drive and got the offense within 6 yards of a touchdown. On third-and-5, Cousins threw a pass to Pitts, who was being covered by Chiefs defensive back Bryan Cook.
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Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, #8, misses a catch against Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, #6, during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook, #6, breaks up a pass against Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, #8, in the end zone during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 22, 2024. (Images by Dale Zanine-Imagn)
As the ball reached the end zone, it appeared that Pitts was being grabbed while trying to catch the ball. Cook was seen with his arms around the tight end's waist. Pitts was unable to catch the ball. No foul was called. On the next play, Cousins threw an incomplete pass to Drake London.
The Falcons fumbled on fourth down. Atlanta had another possession and drove the ball to the Chiefs' 13-yard line and also fumbled on fourth down.
Fans pointed to Pitts' play as the cause of their pain.
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Falcons head coach Raheem Morris declined to comment on the play.
“I like my money,” Morris said. “I like the money Arthur Blank gives me. I'm smart enough to be aware enough to talk about the refs. They either made the call or they didn't make the call. It is what it is. We had a chance to win the football game on the last play of the game.”
While fans were upset, the referees defended the decision not to score.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, #8, runs against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid, #20, after a catch during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 22, 2024. (Images by Dale Zanine-Imagn)
“It's a real-time decision and the referees have to make a decision on that. From the standpoint they had at the time, they didn't feel like a foul was committed,” head referee Tra Blake told D-line reporter Orlando Ledebetter.
Blake added: “It's a decision we have to make in real time, yes. We're doing everything we can to make it.”
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The Chiefs improved to 3-0 with the win and the Falcons fell to 1-2.
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