Bears Fans Force Falcons Into Silent Count in Their Own Stadium

ATLANTA: The Falcons used a silent count in their own stadium Sunday after preparing all week for noise from visiting Chicago Bears fans.

Atlanta practiced with crowd noise before its 31–23 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Oct. 18, according to postgame reporting by Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Garrett Chapman of Falcons on SI.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. said the team handled the silent cadence successfully, the Journal-Constitution reported. His frustration was having to prepare for it at home.

“Because you always expect our fans will overrule the opponents’ fans,” Penix said, as quoted by the Journal-Constitution.

A silent count coordinates the snap through visual signals when crowd noise makes the quarterback’s spoken cadence difficult to hear.

Center Ryan Neuzil acknowledged the additional difficulty of a silent count while crediting Chicago’s traveling support, the Journal-Constitution reported.

Coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Atlanta expected to need the adjustment, according to Falcons on SI. He praised Atlanta’s fans while explaining the staff had prepared for the conditions.

The loss left Atlanta 2–4 overall and 0–3 at home. The Falcons trailed 31–7 entering the fourth quarter before their late rally, Falcons on SI reported. Atlanta hosts San Francisco next Sunday.

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