FLOWERY BRANCH — The NFL released the schedule for its international games and is set to release the full schedule at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The Falcons, who do not have an international game this season, are expected to receive at least one nationally televised game after regularly appearing at 1 p.m. for the past few seasons. The Falcons are set to face the Eagles on “Monday Night Football” at Lincoln Financial Field, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
The Jets and Vikings will play in London in Week 5. The Panthers and Bears will play in London in Week 6. The Patriots and Jaguars will play in London in Week 7. The Giants will play the Panthers in Munich in Week 10.
The league previously announced that the Packers will face the Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
The Falcons’ most recent prime-time game was at Carolina in 2022. Their most recent nationally televised game was against the Jaguars from London last season.
The Falcons have posted six consecutive losing seasons, but are considered favorites to win the NFC South division after signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency.
Falcons coach Raheem Morris knows he’s going into his “one game at a time” mode, but is fascinated with the uproar over the schedule release.
“It’s always exciting just for the National Football League in general,” Morris said. “We’ve found a way to make another event. ... I know it’s exciting for our community.”
Cousins noted that the Falcons will play both of his former teams on the road, Washington and Minnesota. He’s ready for the homecoming games.
“First of all, I think it’s incredible that the release of the schedule generates the kind of excitement, this is unbelievable,” Cousins said. “What a privilege to play in a sport where my high school friends are refreshing their computer every second to try and see what the schedule is. I’m in a good line of work if that is the demand for this sport. Kudos to the NFL on that.”
The Falcons have known their opponents since the end of the season. Now, they get the details.
“It doesn’t change a whole lot for me whether I am playing them in late September, mid-October or early-November,” Cousins said. “It’s OK, let’s go play them.”
At the Cousins’ household, the schedule release is a big holiday.
“But to my wife (Julie) it’s a big deal,” Cousins said. “Church times. Babysitter times and travel and all of that. She’s planning on taking the boys to all of the away games this year. Which I said, ‘good luck.’ She wants to use it as an educational experience.
“So, she is going to take them everywhere. She can’t wait. She’s a planner. She can’t wait to get the schedule.”
“She keeps wondering if I’ve got any insight or details, and I’ve said no, I’ve got nothing,” Cousins said. “I said you’ll find out when everybody else finds out.”
There’s one report, by Zach Klein of Channel 2 Action News, that the Falcons will open the season at home against the Steelers. Former Falcons coach Arthur Smith now is the Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
There are multiple reports that the Falcons will host the Chiefs on Week 3 in a Sunday night game and the Bucs in Week 5 for a Thursday night game. The Falcons reportedly also are set to play at the Saints on Nov. 10 (Week 10) and play at Washington in Week 17.
Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney is looking forward to the schedule release.
“I’m definitely excited to see if what’s home or away, first game of the season,” Mooney said. “Then see how it all plays out.”
After playing four seasons in Chicago, he’ll be watching for cold-weather games.
“Denver late in the year, or Philly late in the year,” Mooney said. “We have those games. I’m definitely excited to see how the schedule pops out for sure.”
Here’s a look at the home and away opponents for the 2024 season:
HOME OPPONENTS
Buccaneers:
The skinny: After winning their third consecutive NFC South title, the Bucs signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year deal worth up to $115 million. The Bucs also signed safety Jordan Whitehead after he spent the past two seasons with the Jets. The Bucs won the division with a 9-8 mark, beat the Eagles in the playoffs and battled Detroit in the divisional round of the playoffs. Series record: The Bucs lead 31-30 in the regular season.
Saints
The skinny: The Saints finished last season as co-champs with the Bucs at 9-8, but lost the playoff bid on the tiebreakers. The Saints signed defensive end Chase Young and linebacker Willie Gay in free agency. The Saints attempted to solidify the offensive line by drafting Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick, and they added former Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Series record: The Saints lead 55-54 in the regular season. Falcons lead 1-0 in the playoffs.
Panthers
The skinny: Not sure if the owner took the advice of a local restaurant that wanted him to let the coach and general manager make the pick this year, but the Panthers traded into the first round and selected former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette and added former Texas running back Jonathan Brooks in the second round. The Panthers spent over $153 million on guards to attempt to solidify the interior of the passing pocket for quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers finished in last place at 2-15 last season. Series record: The Falcons lead 36-22.
Chiefs
The skinny: The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, drafted speedster wide receiver Xavier Worthy to attempt to fulfill the Tyreek Hill role in their offense. The Chiefs re-signed all-world defensive tackle Chris Jones to anchor the defense. The dynamic passing combination of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce will make its Mercedes-Benz Stadium debut. Series record: The Chiefs lead 7-3.
Chargers
The skinny: After winning the national championship at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, who interviewed for the Falcons’ head coach position, returned to the NFL with the Chargers. Harbaugh will cobble together a rushing attack to help quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers drafted former Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, who played at Forest Park High, in the fourth round. Series record: The Falcons lead 8-4.
Cowboys
The skinny: The Cowboys have gone 12-5 in each of the past three seasons before exiting the playoffs. Owner Jerry Jones has quarterback Dak Prescott and coach Mike McCarthy working on the last year of their contracts in a clear message that a deep playoff run in needed. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is back with the team. Series record: The Cowboys lead 17-11.
Giants
The skinny: After going to the playoffs in 2022, the Giants went 6-11 last season and lost running back Saquon Barkley in free agency. The Giants picked up linebacker Brian Burns in a trade with the Panthers and are hoping to pair him with Kayvon Thibodeaux to create a dynamic pass rush. Wide receiver Malik Nabers was selected sixth overall in the draft. Quarterback Daniel Jones is expected back after tearing the ACL in his right knee and missing most of last season. The Giants also signed quarterback Drew Lock in free agency. Series record: The Falcons lead 14-11.
Steelers
The skinny: The Steelers have a new offensive coordinator by the name of Arthur Smith, the Falcons former head coach. The Steelers picked up quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields over the offseason. The Steelers went 10-7 last season, but were knocked out in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Series record: The Steelers lead 15-2-1.
Seahawks
The skinny: The Pete Carroll era came to an end, and the Seahawks hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as the head coach. He started his coaching career at Cedar Shoals High in Athens while he was as student at Georgia. He was a two-sport athlete at Centennial High. His first order of business was to fix the run defense that gave up 138.4 yards per game (31st of 32) last season. Series record: The Seahawks lead 12-7.
AWAY OPPONENTS
NFC South: Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers.
Broncos
The skinny: Sean Payton is set to enter his second year in the Mile High City. The Broncos dumped Russell Wilson and drafted Bo Nix, the former Auburn and Oregon signal-caller, in the first-round. The Broncos finished 8-9 last season. Series record: The Broncos lead 8-7.
Raiders
The skinny: Antonio Pierce had the interim tag removed over the offseason and became the head coach. The Raiders loss running back Josh Jacobs in free agency and signed quarterback Gardner Minshew II. They also have quarterback Aiden O’Connell and drafted former Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of the draft. Three-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby leads the defense and the Raiders picked up defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency. Series record: The Falcons lead 8-7.
Vikings
The skinny: The Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy to replace Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Falcons in free agency. Wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will help McCarthy with the transition. The scoring defense improved from 27th to 18th last season under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Series record: The Vikings lead 20-11.
Eagles
The skinny: The Eagles went 11-6 last season, but were vanquished in the playoffs by the Bucs. The coaching staff was re-tooled with Vic Fangio being named defensive coordinator and Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. Running back Saquon Barkley was signed in free agency to help provide a solid rushing attack to help quarterback Jalen Hurts. Series record: Eagles lead 18-14-1.
Commanders
The skinny: Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn is the new Commanders coach. The teams have met in each of the past three seasons with the Commanders winning each time. Washington drafted LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the draft with the hopes that he could turn around the franchise’s fortunes. Series record: Commanders lead 17-10-1.
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