Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans cheer during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff against the Seattle Seahawks at Georgia Dome. Atlanta won 36-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons have a difficult 2017 NFL schedule ahead, but they will also get their share of the national spotlight.

With the 2017 NFL schedule set to release later tonight, Falcons fans are anxiously awaiting the announcement. Facing the hardest schedule in the NFL in 2016, the Falcons were able to bolster an 11-5 record and a Super Bowl appearance. Hopefully, the Falcons can once again stand tall against tough competition and play for a chance to be champions.

We already know the Falcons will play against the other members of the NFC South, the NFC South will play against the NFC North and AFC East, and the Falcons will play against two NFC teams that also finished first in their division.

Here are Atlanta’s 2017 home opponents:

New Orleans Saints (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Carolina Panthers (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Dallas Cowboys (NFC East, also finished first in their division)

Green Bay Packers (NFC North)

Minnesota Vikings (NFC North)

Buffalo Bills (AFC East)

Miami Dolphins (AFC East)

Here are Atlanta’s 2017 away opponents:

New Orleans Saints (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Carolina Panthers (NFC South Divisional Opponent)

Seattle Seahawks (NFC West, also finished first in their division)

Chicago Bears (NFC North)

Detroit Lions (NFC North)

New York Jets (AFC East)

New England Patriots (AFC East)

It’s clear to see that the Falcons have some marquee matchups against some of the best teams in the league. Games against the Cowboys and Packers will certainly be fun to watch, with two elite offenses tearing into each others’ defenses. Also, traveling to Seattle and New England will make for difficult road battles, but the Falcons know how to win in hostile environments.

Unfortunately, the Falcons will not get a shot at redemption for the Super Bowl in the first game of 2017, as it is scheduled for the Falcons to play the Patriots in Week 7 on Sunday Night Football.

While the official NFL schedule has not been released yet, there are speculative leaks coming from various sources. Mike Bell of 92.9 The Game allegedly had the full schedule for the Falcons released on his twitter, but he has since deleted the tweets.

We’ll have the full, official schedule here as it’s released.

Week 1: @ Chicago Bears, September 10

Week 2: vs. Green Bay Packers, September 17, Sunday Night Football

Week 3: @ Detroit Lions, September 24

Week 4: vs. Buffalo Bills, October 1

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins, October 15

Week 7: @ New England Patriots, October 22, Sunday Night Football

Week 8: @ New York Jets, October 29

Week 9: @ Carolina Panthers, November 5

Week 10: vs. Dallas Cowboys, November 12

Week 11: @ Seattle Seahawks, November 20, Monday Night Football

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, November 26

Week 13: vs. Minnesota Vikings, December 3

Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints, December 7, Thursday Night Football

Week 15: @ Tampa Bay, December 18, Sunday Night Football

Week 16: @ New Orleans Saints, December 24

Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers, December 31