Falcons Schedule Tracker: Confirmed Games, Rumors & Everything Else We Know

The NFL schedule is released on Thursday, but what rumors have been spun out for the Atlanta Falcons?

The NFL schedule is released on Thursday, but what rumors have been spun out for the Atlanta Falcons? | Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The NFL schedule release has finally arrived! Today, we will learn when the Atlanta Falcons will debut their new head coach and new-look team. It is an exciting day for fans and social media teams alike.

We do know WHO the Falcons will have on the schedule, just not when. Tuesday was the first and only official word handed down from the NFL office. They confirmed who the Falcons will face and when in their international game in Madrid, but little else is officially known at this time.

On paper, the Falcons have the fifth-easiest slate in the NFL (.465), but when you dig into who those teams really are, it becomes a lot less easy. The NFC South is paired up with the AFC and NFC North this season, plus the Falcons will play the division's third-place schedule. Atlanta's opponents are as follows:

Home Team (9): Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals (in Madrid)

Away Team (8): Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders

A lack of confirmations will not stop the rumor mill from spinning, and Falcons OnSI has collected everything that has spun out of there and compiled it right here for fans to have all in one place.

Let's take a look at what social media has told us about the Falcons' schedule.

**None of these games, aside from the international game, has been confirmed by the league office**

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WEEK 1 (Sept. 13, 1:00 PM) - at the Pittsburgh Steelers

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was harassed by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense all game | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons do not have a very good track record agains the Steelers, so starting the season off with them will be a difficult test. They trail the all-time series 16-2-1, and have lost the last five matchups.

The last time these two teams played was in 2024, when Kirk Cousins and Raheem Morris made their debut at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The offense was quiet in that game, with TJ Watt and the Steeler defense hounded Cousins all game long. Atlanta fell 18-10 in a game where they did not allow a single touchdown.

WEEK 2 (Sept. 20, 1:00 PM) - vs. the Carolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The meetings between the Falcons and Panthers have not gone well for Atlanta over the last few games. Carolina has won three straight, sweeping the series for the first time since 2013. Their last matchup was also the game where quarterback Michael Penix Jr. injured his knee, ending his season.

WEEK 3 (Sept. 24, 8:00 PM) - at the Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker tackles Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Packers have played in several important games over the last several years, and the games are nearly split down the middle. The Falcons won their last matchup in 2023 in a thrilling 25-24 finish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This game, if true, would be the first prime time game of not for Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons in 2026.

WEEK 4 (Oct. 4) - TBD

WEEK 5 (Oct. 11) - TBD

WEEK 6 (Oct. 18) - TBD

WEEK 7 (Oct. 25, 1:00) - vs. San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had a massive game against the Falcons last season | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

This game happened under the lights of Sunday Night Football last season, and it came down to the wire. The Falcons were fresh off a dominant showing against the Bills on Monday Night Football, but the offense dried up the next week, and the defense couldn't get a stop on Christian McCaffrey (201 total yards). These old NFC West rivals have alternated their last four matchups, and Atlanta will hope to see that continue this season.

This game will also mark the return of former head coach Raheem Morris, who is now the defensive coordinator in San Francisco.

WEEK 8 (Nov. 1, 1:00 PM) - at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford celebrates after intercepting a pass from Baker Mayfield | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Buccaneers always seem to provide instant entertainment. Their last matchup on Thursday Night Football came down to the wire, and the combination of Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts provided some fireworks in the Falcons' win.

WEEK 9 (Nov. 8, 9:30 AM) - vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow burned the Falcons the last time they squared off | Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer

These two franchises have not faced off since 2022, but Joe Burrow threw for 481 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-17 Cincinnati win. The Bengals have claimed the last three matchups.

WEEK 10 (Nov. 15) - TBD

WEEK 11 (Nov. 22) - TBD

WEEK 12 (Nov. 29, 1:00) - at the Minnesota Vikings

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. takes a snap against the Minnesota Vikings | Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Vikings last squared off in 2025, in a game that served as a coming out party for Atlanta's stellar defensive rookie class. James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker both got to JJ McCarthy, while Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. both picked him off. Atlanta dominated that game, winning 22-6, but this year could feature the pair of veteran-minimum quarterbacks (Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray).

WEEK 13 (Dec. 6, 1:00) - vs. the Detroit Lions

Lions' WR Golden Tate's touchdown was called back during the fourth quarter, ending the game. | Tim Fuller-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Lions last squared off in 2023, and Detroit took down Atlanta 20-6. The two franchises have alternated wins and losses in each of their last five matchups, but almost all of those were thrilling games -- the Matt Prater delay of game field goal, the clock run-off game after Golden Tate came up short of the goal line, and the accidental Todd Gurley touchdown.

If history has told us anything, this one will be a fun one.

WEEK 14 (Dec. 13) - TBD

WEEK 15 (Dec. 20, 1:00) - at the Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. played an exciting game | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Commanders have gotten to know each other rather well over the last several seasons, with the two franchises meeting every year since 2021. Washington took the first four games, but Atlanta finally snapped that streak with a win last season.

WEEK 16 (Dec. 27) - TBD

WEEK 17 (Jan. 3) - TBD

WEEK 18 (Jan. 10, TBD) - at the Carolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons will close the season with the reigning division winners on the road.

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