Patriots respond to ‘clapgate’ cheating claims

The New England Patriots extended their 2025 record to an impressive 7-2 on Sunday, but the defeated Atlanta Falcons were left frustrated with one crucial play late in the fourth quarter.

With little over two minutes left on the clock the trailing Falcons had a second-and-10 opportunity at the Patriots’ 48-yard line. Falcons center Ryan Neuzil sent a snap back to quarterback Michael Penix Jr, who was quickly rushed and forced to get rid of the ball quickly. Speaking after the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris claimed that the Patriots had deliberately confused his team.

“They did a nice job, they simulated a snap,” Morris said. “The ball came early, it was snapped early. Within that snap, that was when we got the intentional grounding.”

“They were clapping. Simulated our snap, got us to snap the ball,” Morris continued. “That’s why the ball was snapped early to [Penix] and he wasn’t ready for the snap.”

Simulating an opposition call is illegal in the NFL but Morris doubled down on his claims. Footage of the incident does not definitively show any player in the Patriots defensive line clapping.

On Monday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel appeared on The Greg Hill Show and was asked directly about the accusation. He replied: “I didn’t see anything, is that fake? I don’t know.. I didn’t see anybody doing that.”

“That was new. I didn’t see that,” Vrabel continued. “Maybe that’s a testament to our fans. It got loud and I could hear the energy, so thank them for that. But that’s a good point. I didn’t see anything, and I’ll let you guys go investigate.”

Vrabel did confirm that he was aware that the Falcons were using claps as a snap signal but was insistent that his team had not sought to disrupt the opposition’s call. Given the seriousness of the Falcons’ accusations it is likely that the NFL will launch a full investigation into the incident.

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