FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Mike Smith wants his first two playoff losses with the Falcons to be “growing experiences” that will help his team prepare for Sunday’s first-round road game against the New York Giants.

With Smith in his first season as coach and Matt Ryan starting as a rookie quarterback, the Falcons lost to Arizona in the first round of the playoffs after the 2008 season. The Falcons had a first-round bye last year before losing 48-21 to Green Bay.

Smith said it’s important the Falcons (10-6) learn from the losses. He said based on those lessons he is planning tweaks to the Falcons’ practice this week.

“I know we’ve had two postseason games prior to this,” Smith 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.”

The Falcons, who never enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons before Smith’s arrival in 2008, now have four straight winning seasons and the team’s first back-to-back playoff berths. The obvious missing piece in Smith’s otherwise impressive record is a playoff win.

Smith said he’s glad the Falcons, who capped their regular season with Sunday’s 45-24 win over Tampa Bay, can move straight into their playoff week.

“I think the way that it went down last year, I’d rather be up this week and go ahead and play,” he said. “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.”

Smith said he also discussed other changes for this week.

“In our staff meeting today, I brought out the notebook in terms of things we wrote down,” Smith said, referring to his notes from the last two playoff games. “You learn from everything that you do in terms of how you prepare. In terms of the actual scheduling, we’re not going to change that, but there are some things we definitely are going to do a little bit differently.”

He wouldn’t provide details of his planned changes.

“Some things I’d rather not talk about in terms of subtle changes in our installation and how we’re going to present things to our football team,” he said.

The NFL’s new collective bargaining agreement strictly limits the number of practices in full pads. Smith said the Falcons have not worked out in full pads since Week 13. He said his players could work in full pads in one practice this week.

“So it changes a little bit from what we’ve been doing in the last six or seven weeks of the season,” he said.

The Falcons had four turnovers, including two interceptions by Ryan, in last year’s playoff loss to Green Bay. They had three turnovers, including Ryan’s two interceptions, in their 30-24 loss to Arizona.

“There was a common theme in terms of you can’t turn the football over,” Smith said. “That was the pressing thing.

“It’s no different than regular-season football, but we’ve got to make sure that we have ball security. We cannot turn the ball over in the postseason. It’s imperative.”

The Falcons led the Buccaneers 42-0 on Sunday before pulling Ryan and other starters out of the game.

Ryan said the runaway win gave the offense momentum for the playoffs.

“I think it kind of put us in a little bit of a rhythm,” Ryan said.

“We made the plays and that’s what we need to do moving forward. I think everybody’s confidence is very high heading into next week.”

Smith said the Falcons have given the Jacksonville Jaguars permission to interview offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey for their head coach position. The interview is likely to take place next week.

Linebacker Stephen Nicholas, held out of Sunday’s game with a toe injury, worked on the practice field with trainers on Monday but is doubtful for the Giants game, according to Smith.

Week 16 of the National Football League will be a major test for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons will battle the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints, as they look to keep their slim chances of winning the division intact. The Falcons offense has been highly successful this season, especially so as of late. Five Falcons should be considered must-starts this weekend, but will they live up to expectations and lead owners to fantasy football glory?

Matt Ryan

Ryan has been one of the league’s best quarterbacks this season, proving his worth as an early round draft pick. He is on his way to having the best season of his career and has been amazing during the past two weeks, throwing for 544 yards and seven touchdowns.

Julio Jones

The rookie from Alabama has been unstoppable for three weeks, making 12 catches for 257 yards and three scores. When these two teams played earlier this season, Jones re-aggravated a hamstring injury after making just two receptions for nine yards. Now fully healthy, he will be a major test for the Saints secondary.

Michael Turner

The Saints have given up the 10th most points to opposing running backs this season, including the 96 yards they allowed to Turner in week 10. The Falcons have gone 8-1 this season when Turner gets at least 19 carries, with the lone loss coming to the Saints. He is averaging more than 83 yards a game against New Orleans for his career, making him a key part in his fantasy owner’s quest for a title.

Roddy White

White started the 2011 season slow, but has reverted to his 2010 form that saw him become the best wide receiver in football. In their first meeting this season, White made just four catches for 62 yards, but has since made 38 catches for 537 yards and five scores in five games.

Tony Gonzalez

Heading into the last’s week victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Gonzalez was on a five-week roll, but was shut down. The Saints have been stingy against opposing tight ends this season, but he has averaged more than 56 yards a game for his career against them. Of all the Falcons major offensive weapons, he may be the one to struggle the most this week.

For a closer look at All-Injury teams for all major fantasy positions, click here.

More from this contributor:

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Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

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So what will it come down to this time? A fourth-and-1 attempt in overtime? A missed field-goal attempt? A 90-yard touchdown drive? Two late defensive stands?

Each of the past four games between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons has been decided by three points, so why should Monday night’s showdown at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome be different?

As has become the norm, these longtime rivals will meet with an awful lot on the line. The Saints (11-3) can clinch the NFC South Division and stay alive for the conference’s No. 2 seed. The Falcons (9-5) can clinch a playoff spot and stay alive in the division title race.

“We already know emotionally we don’t have to get up for this game,” New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. “It’s probably going to be about trying to calm your emotions so we can function, so we can do the things we need to do to win this game. It’s a huge game for both sides. … It’s going to be a great battle and a lot of fun.”

Even without the playoff implications, this would be a huge game for both sides.

This rivalry, which dates to the 1960s, has never been more intense, and both teams are in the midst of the greatest extended runs in their franchises’ histories.

The Saints have won 11 games or more for three consecutive seasons, and the Falcons have put together four straight winning seasons after never having done it twice in a row before.

New Orleans has won nine of the past 11 games since Coach Sean Payton arrived in 2006, but those wins haven’t come easily in recent years.

The past six games in the series have been decided by eight points or less, including the Saints’ 26-23 overtime victory at Atlanta on Nov. 13, which was ultimately decided by New Orleans’ fourth-and-1 stop in Falcons territory in overtime.

In September of 2010, Garrett Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal attempt in overtime that would have won the game, and Matt Bryant kicked a 46-yarder as the Falcons won 27-24.

Later that season, the Saints drove 90 yards late in the fourth quarter, capped by a 6-yard pass from quarterback Drew Brees to tight end Jimmy Graham, to win 17-14.

In their second meeting of 2009, Vilma stopped Jason Snelling on a pass from Chris Redman on a fourth-and-2 as the Saints held on for a 26-23 win. Vilma also had an interception with 3:55 to go.

Saints receiver Lance Moore said Monday night’s game is mostly important because it’s the “next game” and because of all the playoff implications, but he did admit that there’s something special about games against Atlanta.

“It’s a divisional game, so we’re familiar with one another, and neither team wants to lose to the other. That’s just how it is,” Moore said. “People can call it bragging rights or whatever, but we’re focused on just letting it be one game. We can’t make it bigger than it is. It’s an extremely important game, but we can’t put any extra pressure or any stress on ourselves. I mean, we’ve just got to go out and play.”

Vilma pointed out that Monday night’s game will be the exact reverse of last season, when the Saints went to Atlanta for a Monday night game in Week 16 and won 20-17 to keep their longshot hopes alive for the NFC South title.

Moore said he hopes the similarities end there, with the home team winning this time.

“They’re a real good team,” Saints Coach Sean Payton said. “Every time it seems we play them it comes down to a last possession or field goal. We’ve just played so many close games, so many hard-fought games, that it’s a sign that typically both teams are pretty evenly matched, very competitive and very good.”

Like the Saints, the Falcons seem to be playing their best football after an inconsistent start. They’ve stayed alive in the NFC South race by winning seven of their past nine games, including two in a row. And their last victory was their most impressive, a 41-14 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday night.

The Saints are even hotter, though, having won six in a row, and they are tied with the New England Patriots for the NFL’s longest active streak.

New Orleans’ 42-20 victory at Minnesota on Sunday was dominant despite some early miscues. The Saints have been even better at home, though, especially in prime time. Their past two home games were a 31-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday night in Week 13 and a 49-24 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night in Week 12.

Before defeating the Vikings, Payton pointed out to his team that they hadn’t won a Week 15 game since 2007. They steamrolled through that roadblock this season, which he said is significant because teams want to peak heading into the playoffs.

“You’d like to be hitting your stride and playing your best football,” said Payton, though he pointed out that the Saints were the exception to that rule when they lost their final three regular-season games in 2009 before winning Super Bowl XLIV. “You still recognize the importance of playing well here. I think you’re seeing some teams that are doing it, and you’re seeing some teams that maybe aren’t doing it as well. Fortunately for us, we’ve been able to get on a pretty good run, and we hope to continue it.”

EYE ON THE 49ERS: The Saints are openly rooting against the San Francisco 49ers (11-3), who need to lose one more game to allow New Orleans a shot at the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Vilma was asked if he watched the 49ers’ 20-3 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.

“I was all for watching it closely until Ben (Roethlisberger) threw those two interceptions early in the game, and then I realized I was bad luck, so I went and watched Sherlock Holmes,” Vilma said.

And when Moore was asked what he wants for Christmas besides a victory over the Falcons, he said: “A win by Seattle over San Francisco (on Saturday) would be good.”

‘DIRTY’ TALK: Vilma and Payton said they’re unfazed by recent accusations from other teams that their defense plays “dirty.”

Payton compared it to the whistle-blowing accusations from the Tennessee Titans last week, and Vilma said whether the accusations are fair or unfair, “it really doesn’t bother me.”

“You know, we’re an aggressive defense, we’ve always been an aggressive defense. I’d rather be labeled that than labeled a finesse defense,” Vilma said. “So I know we’re not out there maliciously trying to hurt anybody. If you’ve seen the way we play, if you’ve seen our games, we go hard — and that’s really about it. If we get a personal foul here or there it’s not intentional, and I know we’re not trying to hurt people.”

VILMA’S HEALTH: Vilma, who has been fighting through a knee injury since having a clean-up surgery performed last month, was asked how he has been feeling.

“The best I can say is good enough,” said Vilma, who said he plans to keep playing through it for the rest of the season. “I got to do what I got to do.”

The Atlanta Falcons crushed the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-14 on Thursday, December 15. The win ensured the Falcons that they would have a winning season for the fourth straight year. That continues the best run in franchise history. The game was also historic for running back Michael Turner. Turner picked up his 48^th rushing touchdown as a member of the team. That ties him for the most in franchise history. Here is a look at the top five Atlanta Falcons in terms of rushing touchdowns.

Michael Turner – 48

After spending a few seasons backing up LaDanian Tomlinson with the San Diego Chargers, Turner was signed as the feature back in Atlanta after the 2007 season. He has been a star since joining the team. Turner ran for 17 touchdowns in his first season with the Falcons. He has nine through 14 games in 2011. If he gets one more, it will be the fourth straight season in which he has double digit rushing touchdowns.

Gerald Riggs – 48

Riggs spent seven seasons in Atlanta between and 1982 and 1988. He picked up 48 rushing touchdowns during that time. Riggs was never quite as spectacular as Turner. His career high single season total was 13 in 1984. He only reached double digits one other time when he ran for 10 touchdowns in 1985.

Jamal Anderson – 34

Anderson played with the Falcons from 1994 through 2001. He had a couple of big season in terms of rushing yards but only one season stood out in the touchdown category. In 1998, Anderson scored 14 touchdowns on the ground. That went a long way in helping the Falcons reach their first Super Bowl.

T.J. Duckett – 31

Duckett had 31 rushing touchdowns in four seasons with the Falcons. He was never the featured running back but his size helped him become a force in the red zone. He had 11 touchdowns in 2004 and eight in each of the following two seasons. Duckett never ran for more than 800 yards in any of his seasons with the team.

Warrick Dunn and William Andrews – 30

Dunn spent six seasons with the Falcons and had 30 rushing touchdowns. He never had a season with a double digit total. Meanwhile, Andrews reached the Pro Bowl four times in his five seasons with the Falcons. His best year came in 1981 when he ran for more than 1,300 yards and had 10 touchdowns.

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During the Atlanta Falcons dominating 41-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 15, fans were witness to the finest performance that they had seen from the Falcons this season. On offense and defense, the Falcons controlled the Jaguars. On offense, Matt Ryan picked apart the Jaguars injured secondary, while the defense, led by John Abraham and Sean Weatherspoon smothered Blaine Gabbert and forced four turnovers.

With the win, the Falcons improved their record to 9-5 and control their own destiny when it comes to a playoff spot. Who were the biggest stars for the Falcons in their victory that kept the control in their hands?

1. Matt Ryan

The fourth year quarterback from Boston College did what he wanted to the Jaguars. He completed 19 of 26 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Including their victory over the Carolina Panthers in week 14, Ryan’s two week total is 544 yards and seven touchdowns. The way Ryan controls the offense during the no-huddle is magnificent and reminds me of the Manning brothers. The win gives Ryan 42 for his career, tying Joe Flacco for most all time through the first four years of his career.

2. John Abraham

Abraham is currently in his sixth season as a Falcon and while his 2011 campaign hasn’t been as good as he would hope. He recorded 3.5 sacks in the win, giving him 8.5 on the season and 111 for his career. During two of the sacks, Abraham forced fumbles, including a third quarter play that led to a Corey Peters fumble recovery touchdown.

3. Roddy White

Coming into the 2011 season, there was a lot of pressure on White to pull off a season similar to the one he experienced in 2010. White has struggled with consistency and drops this season, but as of late, along with the emergence of Julio Jones, has regained the form that helped him become one of the best a year ago.

Against the Jaguars, White made 10 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. He now has 85 receptions on the season, with 1,100 yards. During his past five games, White has been one of the top players in the league, making 38 catches for 537 yards and five scores.

More from this contributor:

LeSean McCoy is Top Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Backup Running Backs to make Splash in 2011

Don’t Give up on These Players too Early

Drafting Individual Defensive Players?

Top 2011 Fantasy Football Rookies

Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.