FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It's a rule as old as football itself, but Head Coach Mike Smith wanted his team to get a little reminder Monday morning.
"I talked to our players and we talked about our 24-hour rule," Smith said when he met with the media Monday afternoon. "After the game we have 24 hours to review the tape, make our corrections and move on... We've switched gears as far as our football team is concerned."
So... The Falcons are now about two hours into preparations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A poll of the locker room around midday revealed Falcons players getting a start on their division opponents to the south.
"They're a great defense up front, similar scheme to what we played last week," starting center Todd McClure said. "Hopefully we can look at the positives and the mistakes we made and be able to move on and have some success. It's going to be tough going down there to Raymond James Stadium, but we're going to be ready for it."
The Falcons made few mistakes in the run game Sunday in a 34-21 victory over the Detroit Lions. The team rushed for a franchise-record 318 yards (220 and two touchdowns from Michael Turner). Smith had plenty of praise for his offensive line, running backs and wide receivers.
A similar performance against the Buccaneers would help gain a victory and keep analyst across the NFL talking about the team and its new identity.
"I can't wait," fullback Ovie Mughelli said. "I want to show everyone that yesterday was no fluke. That's who we are. That's what we're going to be every game. I'm looking forward to doing it again, again and again.
"We're an offense that needs to be taken seriously. People don't believe that but they're going to have to start believing that if we show them over and over again what we can do."
The Buccaneers lost at New Orleans in Week 1, allowing 343 passing yards and just more than 100 yards on the ground. It was an uncharacteristic performance from a traditionally solid defense and it certainly wasn't the first impression the Bucs wanted to make.
The Falcons want to continue the one they started.
The 24-hour rule is in place, but something about Sunday's dominant performance against the Lions seems to be pushing the team forward.
"I told the players the night before the game that you only get one opportunity to make a first impression," Smith said. "I think the guys understand what we're all about and I think they've really bought in to what we're trying to get done."
INJURY REPORT: Smith reported no major injuries Monday afternoon. Two of the three players that appeared on last week's Saint Joseph's Injury Report played in Sunday's game. The exception -- center Alex Stepanovich (back) -- should get more work this week.
"We came out of it very healthy," Smith said.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-LIONS GAME:
- GAME CENTER: Stats and more in the NFL.com Game Center
- GAME RECAP: Turner leads Falcons to opening victory
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- GAME BLOG: Live notes from Mod's FalconsLIFE blog
- J. MIKE'S BLOG: More coverage and thoughts from the AF.com managing editor
- TRANSCRIPTS: Head Coach Mike Smith | Falcons | Lions
- INACTIVES: Game inactives and starters from Falcons-Lions
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Michael Turner | Matt Ryan | Lawyer Milloy
- VIDEO: John Abraham | Sam Baker | Michael Jenkins
- NFL NETWORK: Ryan Highlights | Turner Highlights
- TAILGATE TOUR: Falcon Al tours the tailgates before the game
