Dennis Allen, Arthur Smith exchange words after Saints score last-second TD in blowout win over Falcons.
The Saints-Falcons game on Sunday ended in a heated altercation between head coaches Dennis Allen and Arthur Smith as
they gathered at midfield for the customary post-game handshake. Smith seemed more irate than Allen, labeling New Orleans’
choice to go for — and score — one more touchdown in the closing moments of the game as “f— b—.” Tailback Jamaal Williams’
touchdown, which came with just over a minute remaining in the game, put the Saints ahead 48-17.
The fact that New Orleans lined up in victory formation before handing it to Williams seemed to really draw the ire of Smith, so much so that he charged after Allen and berated him with profanity.
With the win, New Orleans (9-8) retains the slimmest of hopes for a postseason appearance. Atlanta (7-10) was eliminated from playoff contention with the defeat, drawing questions about Smith’s future in the A.
Allen offered a formal apology for his team’s actions in the postgame presser. He explained that New Orleans should have taken a knee in the game’s final minutes.
“That’s not who we are, not what we’re about,” Allen said.
Allen explained that the decision to attempt to score didn’t come from his staff. Rather, it was his offensive linemen hoping to force Williams into the end zone. Williams came into Week 18 without a touchdown this year after scoring 17 times last season.
The Saints players’ decision paid off in the end. Williams scampered into the promised land from a yard out, ensuring that he would, in fact, find pay dirt at some point this campaign.
“I couldn’t go home without getting him one,” Saints guard Cesar Ruiz said. “Whatever heat that comes with that, put that on the O-line.”
Smith did provide some heat, as he tried to criticize Allen and his group for trying to push the score higher. Smith might have been nervous enough already, given that it’s thought he could lose his position on Monday.
Smith remarked, “You can do whatever you want.” “I just shared my thoughts with them on it.”
The likelihood of New Orleans making it to the postseason is low. The Saints require a tie or loss from the Packers and Seahawks, who play the 7-9 Bears and 4-12 Cardinals, respectively. They too can bid their postseason hopes farewell if that doesn’t occur.
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