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More buzz about Falcons opening at home on SNF in Week One

January 10, 2017, Atlanta: The progress of the new Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium is seen with cranes rising from the floor through the retractable roof on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter

January 10, 2017, Atlanta: The progress of the new Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium is seen with cranes rising from the floor through the retractable roof on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By
April 16, 2017

Since the most recent NFL owner's meeting there has been speculation that the Falcons will open the 2017 season, scheduled to be their first in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, on NBC's Sunday Night Football.

The Boston Globe reported that the Falcons were "very likely" to open on SNF against one of the eight teams they are scheduled to play at home.

The Falcons are set to host the three NFC South teams, Dallas, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo and Miami in 2017.

The NFL schedule is set to be released on Thursday, according to the Detroit Lions.

Peter King of the MMQB first wrote about this scenario making the rounds at the owner's meeting and noted that the Falcons were not expected to open the season at New England in a Super Bowl LI rematch.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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