FLOWERY BRANCH — A look at the teams on the Falcons' schedule and how they have reconstructed their roster since the season's end. We're up to regular season finale against the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Dome.
GAME 16: CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina Panthers at Falcons at 1 p.m. Dec. 31
No longer with the Panthers: S Tre Boston, DE Kony Ealy, DT Paul Soliai and RB Mike Tolbert.
Key free agent signings/pickups: LB Julius Peppers, LT Matt Kalil, CB Captain Munnerlyn, WR Russell Shepard, SS Mike Adams and WR Charles Johnson.
Carolina Panthers' 2017 NFL draft
Weaknesses: The Panthers' wide receiver corps and the secondary are both weak links. Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin is battling weight issues and Devin Funchess has been a disappointment. The secondary will welcome the return of Munnerlyn and they are hoping Peppers still has some gas left in the tank.
Strengths: Steve Wilks, the former secondary coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator to take over for Sean McDermott, who was named Buffalo's head coach. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula will figure out how to integrate the news weapons added through the draft.
Comment: The Panthers went from 15-1 to 6-10 and missed the playoffs after playing in Super Bowl 50. Quarterback Cam Newton had offseason rotator cuff surgery. The Panthers picked up Newton, who needs to cut down his running activities, a few new weapons in McCaffrey and Samuel. Three-time All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed six games with concussions issues. His return to form is key to any revival in Charlotte.
FALCONS SCHEDULE
Exhibition season
Falcons at Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. Aug. 10
Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. Aug. 20
Arizona Cardinals at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 26
Jacksonville Jaguars at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 31
Regular season
Sept. 10 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
Sept. 17 Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Sept. 24 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. Fox
Oct. 1 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 8 BYE
Oct. 15 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m., NBC
Oct. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 5 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 20 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 3 Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 7 New Orleans Saints (Thur), 8:25 p.m., NBC/NFL Network/Amazon
Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon). 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 24 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 31 Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
THE FALCONS 2017 DRAFT
MUST READ PROFILE: Falcons top pick McKinley makes name for himself
2017 Falcons report card: Falcons earn a B-plus
NFC Champs add a pass rusher, quality depth
1st rounder: Meet defensive end Takkarist McKinley
3rd rounder: Meet linebacker Duke Riley
4th rounder: Meet offensive guard Sean Harlow
5th rounder: Meet defensive back Damontae Kazee
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