Falcons? 2009 schedule includes Monday, Sunday night games
By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
After spending a year in TV exile, the Falcons will return to prime time this season with two nationally televised games.
The Falcons will play a Sunday night game at home against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 18 (8:20 p.m., NBC), and on Monday Night Football at the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 2 (8:30 p.m., ESPN), according to the 2009 season schedule released by the NFL on Tuesday evening.
Based on last season?s records, the Falcons have the fourth-toughest schedule in the league 150-105-1 (.588). Only Miami, Carolina and New England have what seem to be tougher schedules.
?Our 2009 schedule presents a unique set of opportunities,? said Falcons coach Mike Smith in a statement released by the team. ?Including back-to-back home games at the Georgia Dome to begin the year as well as two nationally televised games.?
The Falcons? bye week will be the weekend of Oct. 4-5.
Here?s quick look at the Falcons? 2009 regular-season opponents (home games in BOLD):
? Sept. 13 vs. Miami, 1 p.m.: Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown, of Cartersville, will get to run the Wildcat offense in front of family and friends.
? Sept. 20 vs. Carolina, 1 p.m.: Early battle with quarterback Jake Delhomme and the defending NFC South champs.
? Sept. 27 at New England, 1 p.m.: The Falcons get to see how Patriots quarterback Tom Brady?s knee is holding up.
? Oct. 11, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.: Mike Singletary, a former Falcons coaching candidate, is in charge of the 49ers.
? Oct. 18, vs. Chicago, 8:20 p.m.: The Bears get a chance to avenge last season?s last-second loss to the Falcons on national TV.
? Oct. 25, at Dallas, 4:15 p.m.: Linebacker Keith Brooking gets a shot to show the Falcons they gave up on him too early.
? Nov. 2, at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.: The Falcons return to the league?s regular-season center stage, Monday Night Football.
? Nov. 8, vs. Washington, 1 p.m.: Former Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall makes a return visit to the Georgia Dome.
? Nov. 15, at Carolina, 1 p.m.: The winner of this one could take charge of the NFC South.
? Nov. 22, at New York Giants, 1 p.m.: Linebacker Michael Boley gets a chance to show the Falcons that he?s a physical, three-down linebacker.
? Nov. 29, vs. Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.: Another key NFC South matchup against new Bucs coach Raheem Morris.
? Dec. 6, vs. Philadelphia, 1 p.m.: Former University of Georgia safety Sean Jones is now an Eagle.
? Dec. 13, vs. New Orleans, 1 p.m.: Pivotal NFC South matchup with Drew Brees and the Saints? high-powered passing attack.
? Dec. 20, at New York Jets, 1 p.m.: Jets coach Rex Ryan, like Singletary, once interviewed for the Falcons head job.
? Dec. 27, vs. Buffalo, 1 p.m.: On his last visit to the Georgia Dome, wide receiver Terrell Owens, now with the Bills, spat on DeAngelo Hall.
? Jan. 3, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.: This one very likely could have playoff implications
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Love the New England and Dallas games.
Cant wait for football again. Is it Sept yet .