Dennis Allen explains controversial late touchdown against Falcons
Dec 19, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen serves as head coach as Sean Payton has Covid-19 during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen was apologetic over a late touchdown his team scored in a 48-17 blowout of the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite being in the victory formation while ahead 41-17, the Saints handed the ball to running back Jamaal Williams for a touchdown with just over a minute left. The move infuriated Falcons coach Arthur Smith, who confronted Allen about it on the field after the game.
After the game, Allen apologized to the Falcons for the move, and seemed to suggest that the players had made the move themselves in order to get Williams his first score of the year.
Saints coach Dennis Allen: I’m gonna start by apologizing to Arthur Smith and the Falcons.
Said they should’ve taken a knee. But guys wanted to get Jamaal Williams a TD and that’s “unacceptable.”
“That’s not who we are, not what we’re about.”
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) January 7, 2024
“That’s not who we are, not what we’re about,” Allen told reporters.
For context, Williams led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022 as a member of the Detroit Lions. He had none coming into Sunday’s game, and with just over a minute left, that was certain to be the Saints’ last chance to get him one.
Regardless of the context, Allen is well aware that the play will be seen by many as unsporting and needless, hence the quick apology.