Game-by-game look at Falcons season

With quarterback Kurt Warner retired, his backup Matt Leinart released and receiver Anquan Boldin gone to Baltimore, the Cardinals' offense will look different this season. Cleveland castoff Derek Anderson will start under center, and the Cardinals hope he has a little of his 2007 (when he passed for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns) success in him, or they could struggle to score points.

Sept. 26: at New Orleans Saints

Dec. 27: vs. New Orleans Saints

On offense, the Falcons should see much of the same Saints firepower that won the Super Bowl last season, led by quarterback Drew Brees. As with their season opener, the Falcons have good timing in their game at New Orleans, as All-Pro safety Darren Sharper is out at least six weeks while recovering from knee surgery.

Oct. 3: vs. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers hope quarterback Alex Smith's promising 2009 season (2,350 yards and 18 touchdowns in 10 starts) is a sign that the former first-round pick out of Utah has turned the corner. With running back Frank Gore, receiver Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis, Smith never has had better weapons.

Oct. 10: at Cleveland Browns

The Falcons will see a familiar face at quarterback for the Browns, as former Panther Jake Delhomme has grabbed the No. 1 spot in Cleveland. On defense, coordinator Rob Ryan -- brother of Jets coach Rex Ryan -- led a no-name Browns group to a solid 2009 season.

Oct. 17: at Philadelphia Eagles

After so many years of having a proven quarterback (Donovan McNabb) and few other offensive threats, the Eagles now have a wealth of young, talented players on offense (DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy) with a quarterback who has started only two career games -- Kevin Kolb.

Oct. 24: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Running back Cedric Benson was a big reason the Bengals won the AFC North. They hope 2009 wasn't a fluke for him and that the offensive line can improve pass protection so quarterback Carson Palmer can get the ball downfield to Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

Nov. 7: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dec. 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After having some success with it late last season, the Bucs plan to return to their eponymous Tampa 2 defense that helped win them a Super Bowl in 2002. If Carnell Williams can continue playing well and the receiving corps is improved, fans hope the offense can hold up its end.

Nov. 11: vs. Baltimore Ravens

In what is expected to be one of its toughest tests of the season, the Falcons will have only a few days to prepare for the Thursday night game against the Ravens. Still one of the NFL's top defenses, Baltimore added receivers Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and recently signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh to give quarterback Joe Flacco some major weapons at wide receiver.

Nov. 21: at St. Louis Rams

Donnie Avery's loss to a torn ACL in the preseason makes an already thin group of receivers even thinner, and Laurent Robinson could step into Avery's No. 1 role. The Rams also plan to start rookie No. 1 pick Sam Bradford from Week 1, giving this team a very young look.

Nov. 28: vs. Green Bay Packers

The Packers didn't change much from a young team that was one of the NFL's most talented in 2009, and it promises to be that this season as well. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has turned himself into an elite player, and the defense is widely regarded as one of the top two or three in the league.

Dec. 12: at Carolina Panthers

Jan. 2: vs. Carolina Panthers

If Matt Moore is the quarterback the Panthers think he is after his effective finish to last season, we'll all know it by this time. He came in for Delhomme and led the team to three consecutive wins at the end. He'll have a strong running game for support, with both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart coming off 1,000-yard seasons.

Dec. 19: at Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are betting that new coach Pete Carroll's third time around in the NFL will be his best, but he will start with a team trying to regroup after four wins in 2008 and then five in former Falcons coach Jim Mora's only season at the helm.