2012 Atlanta Falcons Schedule: Home, Road Opponents Announced

Though we won't know until later in the year the order of these games, we now know who the Atlanta Falcons draw in 2012. Via AtlantaFalcons.com, here's the list of opponents sorted into home and road groups:

Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders

Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers

The AFC West rotates on, and it's hard to tell exactly which of those four games will be the toughest. Not having to travel to Denver (TIM TEBOW) is always a plus, and Kansas City is by far the closest of the four potential road games there. The Falcons haven't lost in California since before 2002.

The NFC East is likewise hard to judge. Yet another trip to play the Eagles and Michael Vick, plus a playoff rematch against the Giants. Out-of-division NFC games are a split -- another Motor City jaunt won't be easy, but the Cards at home can be penciled in as a W for now.