Atlanta Falcons Learn Finalized NFL Schedule for 2026 Season

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.

Let's take a look at the Falcons' 2026 NFL schedule.

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 against 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 Steelers' defense hounding 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, 8:15 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 would be the first prime-time game for Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons in 2026.

WEEK 4 (Oct. 5, 8:15) - at the New Orleans Saints

Atlanta Falcons safety Xavier Watts makes the interception over New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Saints will be the week after the 20th anniversary of the 'Domecoming' game. That game did not go well for the Falcons, but it is remembered as a major milestone in New Orleans lore. As for this matchup, Atlanta will look to continue its recent streak against its bitter rivals after sweeping them, taking a 58-56 lead in the all-time series.

This will mark a second-straight game in prime time.

WEEK 5 (Oct. 11, 8:20) - vs. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbles the ball after being hit by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons will play their second prime-time game of the season as they welcome Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens to Atlanta. These two franchises have met just seven times all time, but the Falcons have lost three straight (trail the all-time series 5-2). They last played in 2022 and have otherwise played every four years.

This will mark a third-straight game in prime time.

WEEK 6 (Oct. 18, 1:00) - vs. Chicago Bears

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke against the Bears | Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Bears have not faced off since Week 17 of the 2023-24 season, and it was with the Falcons in position to steal a division title (despite alternating between Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback). Atlanta traveled to Chicago, but was blown out 37-17 before coming home to meet a similar fate against the Saints. The pair of ugly losses ended the Arthur Smith era in Atlanta.

This Bears team is fresh off their first playoff appearance since 2020, and their first NFC North title since 2018.

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, 1:00) - vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts runs against Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Chiefs last squared off in a thrilling Sunday Night Football matchup in 2024. Atlanta rallied late, but lost after a questionable non-call for pass interference against the Chiefs on Kyle Pitts. The win for Kansas City marked their third-straight in the series against the Falcons.

The timing of this game also means Patrick Mahomes will have certainly returned from his knee injury that cut his 2025 season short.

WEEK 11 (Nov. 22) - BYE WEEK

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, 1:00) - at the Cleveland Browns

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier against the Cleveland Browns | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

The Falcons and Browns have not played since 2022, but the Falcons took that matchup 23-20. That win snapped a two-game losing streak against Cleveland, a series the Falcons trail 12-4 all-time.

This game will also mark Kevin Stefanski's return to Cleveland, where he was with the franchise from 2020 to 2025.

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.

This one will be the second-leg of a two-week road trip in some cold weather.

WEEK 16 (Dec. 26 or 27, TBD) - vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. dominated the Buccaneers the last time they faced off | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

The Falcons will close out their season series with the Buccaneers.

WEEK 17 (Jan. 3, TBD) - vs. New Orleans Saints

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson will look to continue the team's strong run against the Saints | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Based on the available schedule, we are predicting that the Falcons will wrap up their two-game set with the Saints in Atlanta in Week 17.

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. Atlanta has lost three of their last four in Carolina.

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