ATLANTA — The Falcons have a 24-hour rule after winning a football game. They’re given 24 hours to savor the victory and then it’s time to focus on the next opponent. Mike Smith, however, wasn’t waiting 24 hours to get ready for Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the 49ers.
“We’ve got to figure out how we’re going to play better than we did in the second half of the ballgame [against the Seahawks],” the Falcons coach said moments after his team’s 30-28 win over Seattle. “That’s where my mindset is. It’s already flipped the switch.”
The players said they’ll exercise the 24-hour rule before setting their minds on hosting the 49ers in the Georgia Dome for the right to advance to the Super Bowl on Feb. 3 in New Orleans.
“It will be a challenge,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “Those guys run to the football. They rally to the football. They do a lot of good things on defense. We’ve just got to be mentally focused. There’s going to be a chance for us to hit some shots down the field and we’ve got to take advantage of those. But those guys are a good football team.”
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said he watched most of the 49ers’ 45-31 handling of the Packers at Candlestick Park on Saturday night before falling asleep.
“I’ll get in here and watch that game tape [today],” Ryan said, adding the Falcons will be mentally ready for the challenge. “I think our past experiences kind of harden you. I think they make you a little tougher. We know it’s difficult to win in the NFL this time of year because you’re playing against the best teams in the league.”
It’s conceivable the Falcons will feel less pressure to win Sunday than they did yesterday against the Seahawks. They The Falcons had been 0-3 in the Ryan era in the postseason and were relieved to finally advance.
“We’ve found different ways to win, offensively, defensively and special teams,” Ryan said. “We’re a confident bunch. We feel week in and week out we can play with anybody. We’ve got the talent and the confidence. We just need to play our best football.”
The Falcons’ defense had plenty of trouble containing Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who rushed for 60 yards. Tackling 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be a nightmare.
“Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick are mobile quarterbacks who throw the ball at extremely accurate levels,” said Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud. “We can use [Seahawks] game as a cheat sheet to prepare for next week.”
It’s the third time in franchise history the Falcons have advanced to the NFC Championships Game. They won in 1998 and lost in 2004. This will mark the first time they have played the game at home.