They reportedly will open the season against the Saints in Atlanta.

FLOWERY BRANCH — With the highest dead salary cap money in the NFL, the Falcons will take a slingshot into most gunfights during the 2022 season, as their potentially formidable schedule was set to be released Thursday night.

Neworleans.com’s Nick Underhill reported the Saints are set to open the season against the Falcons at Mercedes-benz Stadium.

After their offseason moves, the Falcons have $62.8 million (30.2%) of the $208.2 million in dead salary cap space.

Matt Ryan ($40.5 million), Julio Jones ($15.5 million), Dante Fowler ($4.6 million), Tyeler Davison ($1.2 million) and 21 others under $1 million ranging from Mike Davis ($750,000) to John Raine ($1,000) make up the total.

In addition to the NFC South foes, the Falcons are set to play the rugged AFC North and the tougher-than-leather NFC West this season, with games against the Bears, Chargers and Commanders.

The last time the Falcons played the AFC North, in 2018, they were smacked around and went 0-4. Cleveland ran the ball down their throats with Nick Chubb, and Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt wrecked the offense in a 41-17 loss. The Falcons also lost 37-36 to the Bengals on a late A.J. Green touchdown reception and 26-16 to the Ravens as the Falcons offense was held to 131 total yards.

The Falcons also have lost their past four games against the NFC West teams — Rams, Cardinals, Seahawks and 49ers — and their past meetings with the Bears, Chargers and Commanders.

The Falcons did go 2-4 against the NFC South last season.

Here’s a look at their opponents for the 2022 season. The complete schedule with dates and times was to be released Thursday night:

HOME Saints

The skinny: Dennis Allen takes over for Sean Payton, who tormented the Falcons for most of his tenure ashe posted a 21-9 record in the rivalry. The Saints added wide receiver Chris Olave in the draft and added safety Tyrann Mathieu late in free agency to help the defense. Last meeting: The Saints beat the Falcons 30-20 in the 2021 regular-season finale Jan. 9 at Mercedes-benz Stadium. They split 1-1 last season. Series record: The Falcons lead 53-52 in the regular season and 1-0 in

playoffs.