FLOWERY BRANCH - The Falcons (1-3) will look to rebound from ther sluggish start against the New York Jets (2-2) at 8:40 p.m. Monday at the Georgia Dome.

“We have to flip the focus to ourselves,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got an extra day this week, starting (Tuesday). We will practice ‘Falcons on Falcons’ and the emphasis will be on some of the deficiencies that have shown up on our first four games.”

There are three subplots for the game:

• Red zone woes: The Falcons managed one touchdown in six trips inside the 20-yard line in a 30-23 defeat to the Patriots on Sunday night at the Georgia Dome. Coach Mike Smith said the problems included breakdowns in pass protection, poor routes and drops by receivers, and missed throws by quarterback Matt Ryan.

• Protection issues: The Falcons allowed just two sacks against the Patriots but, according to Pro Football Focus, the Patriots pressured Ryan 15 times and hit him twice in 60 drop-backs. For the season, Ryan has been sacked six times, hit 16 times and hurried 58 times. Smith said against the Patriots, the offensive line had its best pass-protection game of the season.

• Sticking with Smith: Jets coach Rex Ryan told New York reporters that rookie quarterback Geno Smith would keep his staring job after he had four turnovers in the loss to the Titans. Smith had two interceptions and two fumbles against the Titans to bring his season turnover total to 11, tied with Giants quarterback Eli Manning for most in the NFL. Incumbent quarterback Mark Sanchez is set for shoulder surgery and Matt Simms and Brady Quinn are New York’s other quarterbacks.

IN CASE YOU MISSED  IT:

GAME STORY:  Patriots withstand rally to down Falcons, 30-23

REPORT CARD: Few positives in loss to the Patriots

TONY G: Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez on 1-3 start to final season: 'Not how I envisioned it at all' -- myajc.com ($)

AJC COLUMNIST MARK BRADLEY: When they see red, they stop  and lose

Falcons bench tackle Lamar Holmes for Jeremy Trueblood

Falcons quoteboard after 30-23 loss to the Patriots -- myajc.com ($)

Tom Brady, green group of receivers befuddle Falcons -- myajc.com ($)