Falcons' Arthur Smith lights up opposing coach for running up the score

Falcons coach Arthur Smith was not pleased with Saints coach Dennis Allen after New Orleans punched in a late touchdown with the game well-in-hand.

With a 41-17 lead with just over 1 minute remaining in the game, the Saints lined up in victory formation prepared to kneel out the clock. However, instead of taking a knee, the Saints punched it in with running back Jamaal Williams to make it 48-17.

When the two head coaches met at midfield moments later, Smith was irate. Here’s video of the exchange:

https://twitter.com/NFLonCBS/status/1744103230500422103

Here’s a look at the late touchdown from the Saints:

The Saints set up in victory formation in what looked like it would be a kneel down and then handed it off to Jamaal Williams for a TD. pic.twitter.com/Spz8oKCkji

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 7, 2024

In his postgame press conference, Allen apologized for the score and told reporters that the players on the field decided to go rogue on the final play. Allen claims that he called for a kneel-down to wind down the clock.

Dennis Allen said they asked him if Jamaal Williams could get a TD. He said no, he wanted to take a knee. He said the players ran that play anyway. He said Arthur Smith was right to be upset.

— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) January 7, 2024

Smith is on the hot seat after the Falcons failed to make the postseason this year. The Falcons went 7-10 in each of the past three seasons with Smith in charge.

The Saints’ win means they are still alive for postseason play, pending the results of Sunday’s games. The Saints need the Seahawks and Packers to both lose or tie in their regular season finales in order to make the playoffs with a 9-8 record.