The rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons is only more heated in the new year.
Angered by a late touchdown run by the Saints, Falcons coach Arthur Smith shouted expletives at Saints coach Dennis Allen following the 48-17 loss in New Orleans.
The Saints were lined up in victory formation while leading 41-17 with a little over a minute to go when QB Jameis Winston took the snap and handed the ball off to running back Jamaal Williams, who punched it in the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.
After the game came to a close, a visibly angry Smith marched toward midfield and began cursing loudly at Allen.
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Oh boy. #Falcons HC Arthur Smith just went OFF on #Saints HC Dennis Allen for scoring a late garbage-time touchdown.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2024
"That's f****** bulls***!"pic.twitter.com/mPcekQYhvE
It was easy to read Smith's lips, who yelled, "Why the ---- did you do that?"
Smith added a few more expletives before Allen answered calmly, "I understand that."
During the post-game press conference, Allen apologized to the Falcons for the touchdown, and he said the players made the decision to give Williams the ball.
Winston said that he and the linemen made a "collective decision" to hand the ball off to Williams, and guard Cesar Ruiz said that the offensive line wanted the running back to get his lone TD of the year.
"They asked me about getting a Jamaal a touchdown at the end," Allen said. "I said I wanted to take a knee. We put victory out there, and the guys kind of wanted to get him a touchdown. They did that on their own, and that's unacceptable."
