The New Orleans Saints scored a garbage-time touchdown in a 48-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, sparking a heated exchange between Arthur Smith and Dennis Allen.
Saints running back Jamaal Williams scored with 1:10 remaining. It was Williams' first touchdown of the season after leading the NFL in rushing scores with 17 last season. During the postgame handshake, the Falcons coach became angry with Allen.
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Nate Landman (uniform number 53) hits New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (uniform number 53) during the second half at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on January 7, 2024. 21) to tackle. (Stephen Lu-USA TODAY Sports)
The Saints coach apologized to Smith in his postgame comments, but Jameis Winson suggested that Smith and his teammates may have gotten violent while the team was on the 1-yard line.
“I apologized to the prosecutor because the play was a 'win.' “But I also explained to the prosecutor general that it was the team's decision. I think that's when we asked, 'What do you want?'” We know how much Jamal means to this team, and we understood from a DA standpoint.
“But the DA didn't condone that at all. But we decided to do it as a team. And, well, we got an interception at the 1-yard line. If we Even if I score, is it still rude?”
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New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathews (number 32) after making an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, January 7, 2024 in New Orleans. be happy. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Winston added that he had “no regrets” about the call.
Smith was upset when he encountered Allen at midfield, but he took the high road when talking to reporters about the end of the game.
“They can do whatever they want. There's no rule against it,” Smith said. “In the second half, we didn't stop them. They can do whatever they want. That's the reality. Hats off to them. They kicked us in the second half. That's their prerogative. That's my “It's a privilege to tell him how I feel. I owe it to them. There they can do whatever they want.”
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Falcons veteran Calais Campbell said he had no problem trying to score, but was more upset that they appeared to be in a winning lineup.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, No. 4, scores a touchdown in the second half of a game against the New York Giants, then No. 2 quarterback Jameis at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Dec. 17, 2023. – Received blessings from Winston. (Stephen Lu-USA TODAY Sports)
“I wish they had lined up in a run formation,” he said. “Don't look like you're going to run on your knees and then hit the ball. … I was frustrated with that because if you're going to do it, it's like there was a way to do it. Because I feel that way.”
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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