2017 NFL Regular Season: Atlanta Falcons home and away opponents

Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Chester (65) spikes the ball after running back Devonta Freeman (24) scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Chester (65) spikes the ball after running back Devonta Freeman (24) scored a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Falcons may enter the 2017 NFL regular season with the toughest strength of schedule. Six of Atlanta’s future opponents are 2016 projected playoff teams.

The 2016 season hasn’t concluded but we now know some of what the 2017 NFL regular season will look like.

The Atlanta Falcons will play their home-and-home series against division rivals, in addition to playing each team from the NFC North and AFC East. Rounding out the Atlanta schedule will be a home game against an NFC East team that finishes in the same spot of the 2016 standings and a road game against an NFC West team under the same criteria.

The Falcons finished 1st in their division, meaning they’ll play the 2016 NFC East and NFC West division champions in 2017.

Falcons 2017 home opponents

"Green Bay PackersMinnesota VikingsBuffalo BillsMiami DolphinsDallas CowboysNFC South division rivals (home-and-home series)"

Falcons 2017 away opponents

"Chicago BearsDetroit LionsNew England PatriotsNew York JetsSeattle SeahawksNFC South division rivals (home-and-home series)"

Next year is obviously a big year for Atlanta Falcons’ home games as they cut the ribbon on Mercedes Benz Stadium. Another bit of good news is that Atlanta won’t be a part of the four trips to London during the 2017 NFL regular season.

More from Blogging Dirty

Each year, NFL schedules are put together using a predictable formula. Teams play each division rival twice and then rotate games against another NFC and an AFC division each year. The NFL then fills each team’s schedule with one home game and one away game against opponents of other divisions who finished similar the year prior.

Yes, it tends to be confusing.

The exact dates and times of each 2017 NFL regular season game is yet to be announced. The NFL typically spends a couple of months hammering out the logistics before announcing a specific schedule in mid-April.

Next: Nobody is buying Falcons as Super Bowl contenders