Falcons hungry for NFC title after Sunday win

Published Jan. 14, 2013 4:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Mike Smith
provided quick evidence his attention has shifted from his first playoff
win with the Atlanta Falcons.

Smith was just starting his review of
the Falcons' 30-28 win over Seattle in the NFC divisional playoffs
Sunday when it became clear his thoughts were on this week's NFC
championship game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith said Monday the Falcons "knew the
San Francisco Forty ... excuse me, the Seattle Seahawks" were a strong
team. Smith then had to smile after catching his verbal miscue.

The win over Seattle was the first for
Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan in four postseason games with Atlanta.
The coach insists the Falcons' "goals and expectations" are much higher
than just ending the postseason drought.