Jameis Winston explains Saints’ decision to score controversial late touchdown vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons regular-season finale on Sunday had a bizarre ending, as the Saints scored a touchdown late in the game after being lined up in victory formation to extend their lead to 48-17.

Falcons head coach Arthur Smith showed his frustration surrounding the play with Saints head coach Dennis Allen during their postgame meeting at the 50-yard line. But after the game, backup quarterback Jamies Winston revealed that the decision was one made by himself and teammates. Overriding Allen’s call to get running back Jamaal Williams his first touchdown of the season, which Winston apologized for after the game.

“Well, I apologized to D.A., because the play was victory,” Winston said. “But I also explained to D.A. that it was a team decision and I think when you have a team around, and I asked the guys, I said guys what do you want to do? We know how much Jamaal means to this team and I understood from D.A.’s perspective. So I give him that. But D.A. didn’t condone that at all, he didn’t.”

Jameis Winston apologized to Dennis Allen because the play call was "victory". But also explained to Allen it was a "team decision" to go for the Saints TD. "We decided as a team to do it." pic.twitter.com/BorTC6p4nm

— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) January 8, 2024

Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu returned an interception all the way to the one-yard line to give New Orleans the ball back with 1:13 left in the game. And given those circumstances, Winston does not feel as guilty for vetoing his head coach’s decision to take a knee and reward Williams with his first touchdown of the season.

“However, we decided as a team to do it and man we got an interception to the one-yard line. So if we would’ve scored, would it still would’ve been disrespectful?” Winston asked.

“It was an offensive team discussion. However, when you return a ball to the one-yard line, we just had that opportunity and we decided”

Smith made his thoughts on the Saints’ final offensive play clear through his interaction with Allen following the game. But Winston made it clear that he did not mean it as a sign of disrespect when he was asked if he believed the play should be forgotten quickly or may be held on to in the Falcons locker room.

“I think it should be forgotten, especially when the score’s already 41-17. So I don’t know how much worse it can get,” Winston said. “But I got a ton of respect for Arthur Smith and the coach that he is. I think they do some incredible things. I didn’t want to disrespect them, that was not my intention. My intention was to lead the team that I’ve been with the entire year, and we made a collective decision that we wanted to get one of our guys who they fight with blood, sweat, and tears every game in the end zone. And I’m a feel good about that.”

A reporter disagreed with Winston’s decision and the two exchanged words regarding the final moments of the game during Winston’s media availability in the locker room. But there’s no question that the next meeting between the NFC South foes could have an added level of motivation from the Falcons next season based on Sunday’s finish.