FALCONS SCHEDULE

Here’s a week-by-week look at the Falcons’ 2017 schedule:

EXHIBITION SEASON

Aug. 10: Dolphins 23, Falcons 20 Aug.20: Steelers 17, Falcons 14 Aug. 26: Cardinals 24, Falcons 14 Aug. 31: Jaguars 13, Falcons 7

REGULAR SEASON

Sunday at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox

The Bears apparently have hitched their wagon to Mike Glennon, the former backup with Tampa Bay. Chicago signed Glennon to a three-year, $45 million contract with $18.5 million guaranteed, then drafted Mitchell Trubisky second overall. The 27-year-old Glennon hasn’t started a game since 2014 but will be able to lean on running back Jordan Howard, who rushed for 1,313 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie.

Sept. 17 Green Bay Packers, 8:30 p.m., NBC

The Packers prefer to draft and develop their players, but this offseason they spent some cash in free agency by adding tight ends Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks, cornerback Davon House and defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois. They were replacements for Jared Cook (Raiders), Micah Hyde (Bills), Julius Peppers (Carolina) and Datone Jones (Vikings). With quarterback Aaron Rodgers at the controls, the Packers will always be dangerous. The Falcons plastered the Packers 44-21 in the NFC Championship on Jan. 22 at the Georgia Dome.

Sept. 24 at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m., Fox

The Lions are led by former Georgia standout Matthew Stafford at quarterback. Stafford is set to enter the final season of the five-year, $76.5 million contract he signed in 2013, but the Lions hope to lock him in on another long-term deal before the season starts. Improving the rushing attack has been a major priority this offseason. The Lions also signed former Falcons linebacker Paul Worrilow in free agency.

Oct. 1 Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., CBS

The Bills hired former Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott to take over as coach. He’ll try to instill some ruggedness into the defense, while shaping the offense around quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Bills restructured Taylor’s contract to make him a bargain in 2017: Not only is he taking a pay cut, but he is on a one-year make-good deal. The Bills didn’t do Taylor any favors by trading top wide receiver Sammy Watkins to the Rams during the preseason.

Oct. 8 BYE Oct. 15 Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS

Dolphins have constructed a strong defense around line stalwarts Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake. Safety Reshad Jones, an Atlanta native who played at Georgia, anchors the back endof the defense. The Dolphins made the playoffs last season behind a strong rushing attack and a controlled passing game, which will be triggered by former Bears starter Jay Cutler after Ryan Tannehill re-injured his knee in the preseason.

Oct. 22 at New England Patriots, 8:30 p.m., NBC

The Patriots signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore (Bills) to the largest free-agent deal in franchise history (five years, $65 million) and traded for speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks (Saints) and defensive end Cassius Marsh (Seahawks). The team also re-signed Pro Bowl linebacker Dont’a Hightower, who had a key sack against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.

Oct. 29 at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox

The Jets don’t have a quarterback. They signed great lockerroom guy Josh McCown over the offseason, who’s been in the league since 2002, but at 38 years old, he’s hardly the future. Also, he’s 2-20 over his past 22 NFL starts. They also got rid of high-profile players in wide receiver Brandon Marshall, center Nick Mangold, kicker Nick Folk and cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Nov. 5 at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox

The Falcons swept the Panthers last season. Quarterback Cam Newton had offseason rotator cuff surgery. They have re-united with former standout defensive end Julius Peppers and signed defensive tackle Kawann Short to a five-year, $80 million contract. The Panthers will be looking to rebound after they couldn’t follow up their run to the Super Bowl. The

secondary is being revamped.

Nov. 12 Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox

Cowboys, who passed the quarterback reins on to Dak Prescott, are retooling their defense after letting several starters and contributors leave during free agency. The list includes cornerbacks Brandon Carr (Ravens) and Morris Claiborne (Jets), safeties Barry Church (Jaguars) and J.J. Wilcox (Buccaneers), defensive end Jack Crawford (Falcons) and defensive tackle Terrell McClain (Redskins). Also, Tony Romo and right tackle Doug Free retired. Running back Ezekiel Elliott, who had a spectacular rookie season, could be back from his NFL-imposed suspension by this time.

Nov. 20 at Seattle Seahawks (Monday), 8:30 p.m., ESPN

The Seahawks’ championship-level window may be starting to close. They are retooling the Legion of Boom defense around core stars Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman, who, after a brief offseason spat with management, is back in good graces. Quarterback Russell Wilson leads an offense that is expected to get back to relying on a power rushing attack after signing former Packer Eddie Lacy.

Nov. 26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Fox

Falcons split the two games with the Bucs last season with the road team winning each time. The Bucs have added fleet wide receiver DeSean Jackson to the offense. They appear determined to improve their rushing attack. Running back Doug Martin has to serve the final three games of a four-game suspension. The defense made major strides last season under defensive coordinator Mike Smith. The Bucs are the Falcons’ major challenger in the NFC South.

Dec. 3 Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox

The Vikings parted ways with longtime running back Adrian Peterson and are hoping to use Latavius Murray (signed as a free agent from the Raiders) and second-round draft pick Dalvin Cook (FSU) as an effective one-two punch. Sam Bradford is back for his second season as the starting QB, and needs better protection from a rebuilt offensive line.

Dec. 7 New Orleans Saints, 8:25 p.m., NBC/NFLN/Amazon

The Saints’ big free agency signings were future Hall of Fame running back Adrian Peterson and guard Larry Warford (four years, $34 million), signaling their desire to run the ball more effectively and take some pressure off quarterback Drew Brees, who is moving along in age.

Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay Bucs (Monday), 8:30 p.m., ESPN

This one could decide the NFC South.

Dec. 24 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Fox

The Saints could be headed toward another 7-9 season here.

Dec. 31 Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox

This game may have wild-card ramifications if the Panthers can rebound from last season.