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04/17/2006
Falcons release 2006 regular season schedule
The 2006 National Football League schedule was released by the League office today. This year the Falcons will face six playoff teams from 2005 (Tampa Bay, Carolina, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Washington, New York Giants).
"Just like with any schedule, there are positives and negatives," said president & general manager Rich McKay. "We certainly look forward to a great home schedule for our fans and the primetime appearances."
The Falcons are currently scheduled to have two nationally televised games, one on ESPN's Monday Night Football at the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints, and the other being a Saturday match-up versus the Dallas Cowboys on NFL Network at the Georgia Dome. The number of national games can change though based on the NFL's new flexible scheduling plan. The NFL this season will implement for the first time in its history a primetime flexible scheduling' element on Sundays in Weeks 10-15 and Week 17. Sunday afternoon games in Weeks 10-15 and Week 17 are subject to being moved into the Sunday night window, airing on NBC's Sunday Night Football.
The Falcons first three games of the season will be against their NFC South division foes. Atlanta will travel to Carolina on opening weekend and then host Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome before making a trip to New Orleans to play the Saints on Monday Night Football in the Superdome's first game since Hurricane Katrina last year.
Atlanta will then host three home games in-a-row with a bye in between. The games include match-ups against the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, as well as a contest against the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The last time the Falcons and Steelers squared off was the last time the NFL had a game end in a tie as the two clubs settled for a 34-34 decision at Pittsburgh in 2002.
The Falcons then take to the road as the team faces the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time since 2002, and then makes a return trip to Detroit after defeating the Lions 27-7 last year on Thanksgiving Day. Atlanta then plays host to the Cleveland Browns and travels to Baltimore before facing off against the Saints for a second time. The Falcons will next square off against two 2005 playoff teams when the team travels to Washington and Tampa Bay on consecutive weekends.
The NFL Network will cover the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Georgia Dome for the first time since 2001. In that game, QB Michael Vick made his first career start as the Falcons rolled to a 20-13 victory. Atlanta will then host Carolina for a second time before closing out the regular season in Philadelphia.
Click here to view the Falcons complete 2006 regular season schedule.
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