Falcons get Manning-led Broncos in home opener, as full schedule released

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons will begin the season at Kansas City, then face Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in their home opener.

The Falcons have four prime-time games on the schedule released Tuesday by the NFL. The opener is Sept. 9 against the Chiefs. Eight days later, Atlanta takes on the Broncos and their high-profile new quarterback in a Monday night contest at the Georgia Dome.

There are two other prime-time games in Atlanta: Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 4, and NFC South rival New Orleans on Thursday, Nov. 29. The Falcons travel to Detroit to face the Lions on Saturday night, Dec. 22.

Atlanta gets a home rematch Dec. 16 against the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs last season.

ATLANTA FALCONS 2012 SCHEDULE:
Home games in bold

PRESEASON SCHEDULE
Thursday, Aug. 9 -- BALTIMORE, 7:30 p.m., CBS Atlanta
Thursday, Aug. 16 -- CINCINNATI, 8 p.m., FOX (National)
Friday, Aug. 24 -- at Miami, 7:30 p.m., CBS Atlanta
Thursday, Aug. 30 -- at Jacksonville, 6:30 p.m., CBS Atlanta

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sunday, Sept. 9 -- at Kansas City, 1 p.m., FOX
Monday, Sept. 17 -- DENVER, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, Sept. 23 -- at San Diego, 4:05 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Sept. 30 -- CAROLINA, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Oct. 7 -- at Washington, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Oct. 14 -- OAKLAND, 10 p.m., CBS
Sunday, Oct. 21 -- BYE
Sunday, Oct. 28 -- at Philadelphia, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Nov. 4 -- DALLAS, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Sunday, Nov. 11 -- at New Orleans, 1 p.m., FOX
Sunday, Nov. 18 -- ARIZONA, 1 p.m.*, FOX
Sunday, Nov. 25 -- at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.*, FOX
Thursday, Nov. 29 -- NEW ORLEANS, 8:20 p.m.*, NFLN
Sunday, Dec. 9 -- at Carolina, 1 p.m.*, FOX
Sunday, Dec. 16 -- NEW YORK GIANTS, 1 p.m.*, FOX
Saturday, Dec. 22 -- at Detroit, 8:30 p.m.*, ESPN
Sunday, Dec. 30 -- TAMPA BAY, 1 p.m.*, FOX
* Denotes Flexible Scheduling