FLOWERY BRANCH — A look at the teams on the Falcons' schedule and how they have reconstructed their roster since the season's end. We're up to Game Ten, when the Falcons travel to Seattle to face the defending NFC West champions at 8:30 p.m. on "Monday Night Football" on Nov. 20.
GAME EIGHT: CAROLINA PANTHERS
GAME NINE: DALLAS COWBOYS
GAME TEN: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Falcons at Seattle Seahawks, at 8:30 p.m., Monday Nov. 20
No longer with the Seahawks: Released CB Perrish Cox, TE Chris Briggs, C Ross Burbank, DT Rodney Coe, RB George Farmer, WR Jamel Johnson, K John Lunsford, RB Terrence Magee.
Key free agent signings/pickups: PK Blair Walsh, OT Luke Joeckel, RB Eddie Lacy, FS Bradley McDougald, ILB Michael Wilhoite and DT Dion Jordan.
Seattle Seahawks' 2017 NFL draft
Weaknesses: The Seahawks are to rebuild the Legion of Boom defense, which has showed major signs of slippage over the past two seasons corresponding with Dan Quinn leaving to coach the Falcons. The Seahawks had to rely too much on a hobbled Russell Wilson at quarterback as the running game misfired for most of the season. Wilson, who battled leg injuries over the season, had a career-low 92.5 passer rating, while he passed for a career-high 4,219 yards.
Strengths: The Seahawks won the NFC West with a 10-5-1 record last season despite a rash injuries. Getting free safety Earl Thomas back from his broken leg will be a big boost for the defense. They are hoping that Eddie Lacy can revive the rushing attack.
Comment: After a controversial loss in Seattle, the Falcons clobbered the Seahawks, 36-20, in the divisional round of the playoffs. It was the worst playoff loss for Seattle in the Pete Carroll-era.
FALCONS SCHEDULE
Exhibition season
Falcons at Miami Dolphins at 7 p.m. Aug. 10
Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers at 4 p.m. Aug. 20
Arizona Cardinals at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 26
Jacksonville Jaguars at Falcons at 7 p.m. Aug. 31
Regular season
Sept. 10 at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
Sept. 17 Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m. NBC
Sept. 24 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. Fox
Oct. 1 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 8 BYE
Oct. 15 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
Oct. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m., NBC
Oct. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 5 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Nov. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 20 at Seattle Seahawks (Mon) 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 3 Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 7 New Orleans Saints (Thur), 8:25 p.m., NBC/NFL Network/Amazon
Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Mon). 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Dec. 24 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Fox
Dec. 31 Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
THE FALCONS 2017 DRAFT
MUST READ PROFILE: Falcons top pick McKinley makes name for himself
2017 Falcons report card: Falcons earn a B-plus
NFC Champs add a pass rusher, quality depth
1st rounder: Meet defensive end Takkarist McKinley
3rd rounder: Meet linebacker Duke Riley
4th rounder: Meet offensive guard Sean Harlow
5th rounder: Meet defensive back Damontae Kazee
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