As preseason wraps up, the Atlanta Falcons are set to begin their 2012 regular season. The Falcons are scheduled to play eight home games at the Georgia Dome and eight road games. Atlanta’s 2011 regular season record of 10-6 earned them an NFC Wild Card berth in the playoffs. Head coach Mike Smith is in his fifth year with the Falcons.
The Falcons will face the Kansas City Chiefs in their season opener on September 9. The game will be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Falcons return to Atlanta for their home opener on Monday, September 17 against Denver. The Falcons will take on the Broncos, featuring new quarterback Peyton Manning, in a matchup that will be televised on ESPN at 8:30 pm Week 3 will find the Falcons in San Diego on September 23. The Falcons last played the Chargers in 2009, when they won by a field goal. On September 30, the Falcons will take on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons will travel to Washington on October 7 to face the Redskins. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan will face Washington rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, a Heisman Trophy winner out of Baylor. The Oakland Raiders travel to Atlanta for a meeting on October 14 at the Georgia Dome. The Raiders, after a lackluster 2011 season, will be led by new head coach Dennis Allen. October 21 is a bye week for Atlanta. The Falcons travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles on October 28. The Falcons won their last meeting in 2011.
Week 9 will see Atlanta host the Dallas Cowboys on November 4. They will then travel to New Orleans to meet Drew Brees and the Saints on November 11. The Falcons will return home to the Georgia Dome on November 18 to play Arizona and Atlanta. He’s going to Tampa Bay on November 25. The Falcons will face New Orleans for the second time this season, this time at home, on November 29. They will play Carolina again in Charlotte on December 9. The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants come to Atlanta on December 16, and the Falcons will face the Lions in Detroit on December 22. The final game of the regular season is scheduled against Tampa Bay on December 30 at the Georgia Dome.
The Georgia Dome, located in downtown Atlanta, seats over 71,000 fans. Before each home game, fans may want to visit Falcons Landing for interactive games, contests, giveaways, and official Falcons merchandise. The free fan experience opens three hours prior to game time and is located on Andrew Young International Blvd between the Georgia Dome and Philips Arena.
