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          NFL Nation

          Atlanta Falcons face tough schedule in quest to make it back to postseason

          Matt Ryan and the Falcons are focused on making the playoffs after an 8-8 finish last season. AP Photo/James Kenney
          • Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterApr 14, 2016, 08:20 PM ET
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            • Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune
            • Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee
            • Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002
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          Breakdown: The Atlanta Falcons, who failed to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, will have another tough go with what is tied for the league's toughest schedule (with the 49ers) based on opponents' records from 2015. The Falcons got off to a 5-0 start last season then plummeted to an 8-8 finish. In 2016, they'll have back-to-back-to-back games against the Panthers, Broncos and Seahawks, three teams that have made it to the Super Bowl the last two seasons. And those matchups with Denver and Seattle are on the road. At least the Falcons can say goodbye to the Georgia Dome in style with a Week 17 matchup with the bitter rival Saints. The Falcons move into the $1.4 billion Mercedes-Benz Stadium for 2017.

          Homecoming, Part 1: There will be much made of Falcons coach Dan Quinn's return to Seattle in Week 6 (Oct. 16). Quinn was the Seahawks' defensive coordinator and won a Super Bowl with the team. He established his fast and physical identity coaching the likes of Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett and Earl Thomas. The game is sure to bring back some emotions for Quinn, who has all the respect in the world for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. Maybe Quinn will have the advantage of knowing how to defend Russell Wilson & company, having seen the offense so much in practice. At least Quinn and the Falcons don't have to prepare for "Beast Mode" with Marshawn Lynch retiring. But the Falcons will have to prepare for a Seahawks team coming off a bye. And by the way, this is one of back-to-back games out west for the Falcons along with Denver, something Quinn lobbied to the league for so he could have one extended trip with his team.

          Homecoming, Part 2: The Falcons open the season at home against Tampa Bay, meaning former Falcons head coach Mike Smith, now the Buccaneers' defensive coordinator, will make his first trip back to the Georgia Dome since being fired after the 2014 season. Smith comes along with new Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter, formerly the Falcons' offensive coordinator. So it should make for an interesting storyline to start the season. The Buccaneers defeated the Falcons twice last season in Jameis Winston's rookie campaign. Winston is a year wiser and is sure to have more help around him. We'll see if Smith's multiple defensive looks give the Falcons and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan fits.

          Strength of schedule: T-1st, .555

          Falcons Regular-Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

          • Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18, at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 3: Monday, Sept. 26, at New Orleans, 8:30 p.m.

          • Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2, Carolina, 1 p.m.

          • Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9, at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16, at Seattle, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23, San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30, Green Bay, 1 p.m.

          • Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 3, at Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m.

          • Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13, at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

          • Week 11: BYE

          • Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27, Arizona, 1 p.m.

          • Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4, Kansas City, 1 p.m.

          • Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11, at Los Angeles, 4:25 p.m.

          • Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18, San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.

          • Week 16: Saturday, Dec. 24, at Carolina, 1 p.m.

          • Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1, New Orleans, 1 p.m.