Frustration boiled over for Atlanta Falcons coach Arthur Smith on Sunday after the New Orleans Saints ran up the score on his team.
With 1:13 left in Sunday’s game, the Saints had the ball at the Atlanta 1-yard line, but easily could have taken a knee and ran out the clock with a 41-17 lead. New Orleans appeared to be doing just that by lining up in the victory formation, but instead handed the ball off to running back Jamaal Williams for a garbage time score.
Take it away Jamaal 😏#Saints | 📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/L8vZjocAzQ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 7, 2024
The needless touchdown infuriated Smith, who confronted Saints coach Dennis Allen on the field after the game. Cameras caught Smith telling Allen that the move was “f—ing bulls—.” Allen could also be heard saying “I understand that” in response to Smith’s anger.
And Arthur Smith is PISSED at Dennis Allen for the Saints faking a spike and running for a touchdown. https://t.co/y2CI2bmRK1
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 7, 2024
One can easily see why Smith would be angry. From his perspective, the game was over, and beyond that, the fake victory formation seemed like salt in the wound. Even Allen acknowledged that to a degree. On the other hand, the play was seemingly designed to ensure that Williams could score his first touchdown of the season after going the entire year without a score. Smith presumably does not know that, and even if he did, he might not care.
Smith came into Sunday’s game very much on the hot seat, and his team’s showing against the Saints will not have done much to help his case. It would not be a surprise if that added pressure played into the reaction.
