Falcons Coach Mike Smith wants to learn from previous playoff experience - NFL News
Atlanta Falcons are preparing for their visit to New York Giants on Sunday and Coach Mike Smith has plenty of playoff-experience, but not very fond memories.
The Falcons have qualified third time for the postseason in Smith’s four years at the helm. They faced Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs in 2008 and the Green Bay Packers in 2010 losing both times.
In his press conference on Monday, Smith said that the previous games were a learning period for his team and this time they are more prepared to progress into the divisional rounds of the playoffs.
“I know we’ve had two postseason games prior to this,” he said. “We haven’t gotten the outcome we’ve wanted. We are learning from those experiences. We’re going to use those as growing experiences and we’re looking forward to competing this week, and that’s
not just Matt Ryan. That’s Mike Smith and every member of our team.”
Last year, the Falcons qualified for the playoffs after securing a first-week bye, but were unable to beat the Green Bay Packers who eventually went on to win the Super Bowl.
Having not securing a bye-week this time does not bother Smith. He is happy that his team can keep the momentum up and play their first postseason game just a week after their victory in the final regular season game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I think the way that it went down last year, I’d rather be up this week and go ahead and play. That was one of the things I don’t know that we handled as well as we should of, the way that I structured it. I think if we get in that situation again we’ll
handle it a little bit differently.”
The Falcons finished second in the National Football Conference South division after winning 10 games and losing six.
On Sunday, The Falcons will face the Giants who have found a rich vein of form when it mattered, beating off the Dallas Cowboys for the fourth seed and becoming Champions of the National Football Conference East division.
For Smith, the impressive form of quarterback Matt Ryan will prove to be a key against the Giants. He hoped that Ryan builds on his performances and execute effective plays against the Giants.
The Giants with Eli Manning at quarterback will not make it easy for the Falcons and fans can expect an exciting encounter when the two franchises meet in a do-or-die game.
Tags: