Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris publicly accused the New England Patriots defense of illegally simulating his team’s snap count by clapping during a critical fourth-quarter play of Sunday’s game.

The New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons are duking it out in Week 9 from Gillette Stadium. New England enters this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the NFL at the moment, riding a five-game wining streak while getting MVP caliber play from second-year quarterback Drake Maye.

Falcons coach Raheem Morris said the Patriots defense simulated his team's snap on a key fourth-quarter play by clapping, leading to an intentional grounding penalty.

The Patriots started early in the game with the defense shutting down the Falcons quickly on the first drive, and the offense torching Atlanta's No. 1-ranked passing defense with quarterback Drake Maye connecting on a 16-yard touchdown pass over the top to Demario Douglas.

Drake Maye threw two touchdown passes and had a pair of turnovers in an uneven performance, and the New England Patriots held on for their sixth straight victory, 24-23 over Atlanta on Sunday after Parker Romo missed a potential tying extra point for the Falcons.

New England Patriots' Drake Maye was unhappy with his play against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, although it resulted in a win.

The Patriots had the ball in Falcons territory with a chance to extend their lead before halftime in New England, but the Falcons' two first-round picks came up with a big play to swing things their team's way.

The Patriots have won their last eight games against the Falcons, including the 34-28 overtime victory in Super Bowl 51 to cap the 2016 season after trailing 28-3 in the second half. Atlanta hasn’t won in Foxborough since 1998, when New England was playing in the since-demolished Foxboro Stadium.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury.