Sept. 13 Miami, 1 p.m.
Sept. 20 Carolina, 1 p.m.
Sept. 27 at New England, 1 p.m.
Oct. 4 BYE
Oct. 11 at San Fran. 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 18 Chicago, 8:20 p.m.
Oct. 25 at Dallas, 4:15 p.m.
Nov. 2 at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 Washington, 1 p.m.
Nov. 15 at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Nov. 22 at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.
Nov. 29 Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Dec. 6 Philadelphia, 1 p.m.
Dec. 13 New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.
Dec. 27 Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Jan. 3 at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons will get some prime-time exposure in 2009, their reward for being one of the NFL’s most surprising teams.
They’ll also get a much tougher schedule.
The Falcons open the season at home Sept. 13 against the Miami Dolphins, matching two teams that made remarkable turnarounds last season. Atlanta went from 3-13 to 11-5, finishing second in the NFC South. The Dolphins improved from 1-15 to 11-5, winning the AFC East.
Miami is one of three division champions on the Atlanta schedule, along with the NFC East winners New York Giants and NFC South rival Carolina.
Even with rookie of the year Matt Ryan at quarterback and star running back Michael Turner, the Falcons may have a tough time duplicating last season’s record and end their dubious streak of never having back-to-back winning seasons.
The cumulative record of last season’s opponents was 88-119-1 (.425). This year’s opponents went 121-86-1 (.585). In a reward for their unexpected success, the Falcons have nationally televised prime-time games against the Chicago Bears at home on Oct. 18 (a Sunday night game on NBC) and Nov. 2 at the New Orleans Saints (Monday night on ESPN).
"Our 2009 schedule presents a unique set of opportunities, including back-to-back home games at the Georgia Dome to begin the year as well as two nationally televised games," coach Mike Smith said. "It’s a solid schedule and our players and coaches will be ready to go."
Atlanta hosts Carolina in Week 2 and also has home games against Carolina, Washington, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, New Orleans and Buffalo. The other road games are at New England, San Francisco, Dallas, Carolina, the New York Giants, New York Jets and Tampa Bay.