by John Bazemore - AP

2 months ago: Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario, left, makes a catch for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Erik Coleman defends in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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It's a rivalry game. If you need a pep talk to get excited about this one, you're either catatonic or a closet AFC fan.

As usual, this is your big bad open thread for the entire game. Chime in early and often as we cheer our Falcons through what promises to be a reasonably tough rematch with the Carolina Panthers. If we can pull out a win, we'll be sitting on 6-3 and one step closer to both a wildcard spot and the magic 9 wins.

In game-related news, running back Aaron Stecker has been released, wide receiver Troy Bergeron has been promoted to the active roster and Michael Jenkins is questionable with an illness. With Brian Finneran and Roddy White struggling with injuries, you could see quite a bit of Marty Booker and Eric Weems in this one.

Here we go!

What? Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

Where? Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Weather? Current predictions have it as partly cloudy and somewhere between 60 and 70 degrees. Should be nice game weather.

Fun Fact? The last time these two teams met, the Falcons won! Yay!

Injuries? Whole lot of injuries, even in addition to the ones I've mentioned. Suffice to say the Falcons could be without Jason Snelling, Jerious Norwood and Thomas Johnson, while the Panthers will have to deal with life without linebacker Thomas Davis and possibly stud running back DeAngelo Williams.

Odds? Atlanta over Carolina 1.5, O/U 43.5

Foe? You all remember Cat Scratch Reader, right? Be sure to pop over and say hello as you follow along with the game. Jaxon & Co. are good friends of this here site.

GO FALCONS! Let's de-claw these Panthers!

by John Bazemore - AP

Hopefully the Redskins can't keep Michael Turner on a leash. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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May our foes be swiftly dispatched, may our stats runneth over like wine, and may we walk away with a victory today. Amen.

Last week we hit a record number of comments for the game thread, so let's see if we can keep that good juju going. Hit the comments hard and I'll see you there.

What? Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Redskins, 1:00 p.m. ET

Where? Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Weather? You've got a better chance of seeing flying Coke glasses than you do rain.

Fun Fact? At 1 a.m., following close to four hours of driving, Dave the Falconer is incapable of thinking of fun facts. If you have a good one, mention it and I'll move it up here.

Injuries? We've got a host of 'em. Jerious Norwood is listed as questionable, but he's clearly out, and Thomas Johnson is likely warming the bench with him. There are a ton of questionables, ranging from Eric Weems (!) to Jason Snelling, but most of them will probably play today.

The Redskins will be missing punter Hunter Smith and tight end Chris Cooley, as well as cornerback Byron Westbrook. S Chris Horton and linebacker H.B. Blades are questionable.

Odds? Atlanta over Washington, 8.5, O/U 41.0

Foe? Be sure to visit the fine folks at Hogs Haven today and see what they have to say.

GO FALCONS! Let's beat the Redskins!

by John Bazemore - AP

A lot is riding on Matt Ryan's shoulders. Good thing you could park a Humvee on 'em. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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There's nothing that can be said about this game that we haven't covered already. Any way you slice it, it's going to be a good one, and I'm excited. Here's hoping for a win!

As usual, keep things lively here in the game thread. I will join you as soon as I can, my friends.

What? Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where? Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Weather? Still a dome. Still no weather. Weather bad.

Fun Fact? We rarely get to play spoiler like this. Ending the Saints undefeated season this far in would be a first-time accomplishment for the Falcons. Just something to chew on.

Injuries? We covered this a bit earlier in the news post, but there's a lot of questionables. Kroy Biermann, John Abraham, Sam Baker, Jason Snelling, Thomas Johnson and Ovie Mughelli are some standout names. I expect most of them to play, because otherwise we're pretty well boned.

The Saints will be missing defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and possibly linebacker Scott Fujita. Everyone else is probable.

Odds? New Orleans over Atlanta, 12.0, O/U 55.0

Foe? You all know our good friends over at Canal Street Chronicles. Enjoy our friendship now, because we may hate their guts after this game.

GO FALCONS! Let's defrock these Saints!

via www.whoateallthepies.tv

Yes, it's that time of year again. A time to dress up the kids as whatever ridiculous pop culture icon they want to be (ours were way cooler!), a time to wear a really terrible costume and get smashed, or simply a time to eat a lot of candy without being called Fatty McFatfat. Halloween really is pretty glorious.

With a huge divisional game coming up and a pretty intense six games under our belts, I thought this would be the perfect time to take a breather, especially because I'll be away from the computer for most of the day. Feel free to discuss the Falcons as usual, of course—it's what keeps me in business—but consider this an all-purpose holiday thread. Talk your favorite Halloweens through the years, the best costumes you wore, what you'll be wearing to whatever party you're headed to this year, or your favorite candy. I'm a Swedish Fish man, myself.

Have fun, kids!

by Paul Sakuma - AP

It's going to take a healthy dose of Michael Turner for the Atlanta Falcons to prevail today. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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Normally I'd say something pithy and relevant up here, but I've got what feels like a battalion of armed germs lodged in my throat and a long day ahead of me, so I'm afraid this will have to do. This should be one hell of a game, though!

Keep it hopping in the game thread all afternoon, and if I'm functioning on even the most basic level, I'll see you there.

What? Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, 4:15 ET

Where? Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Weather? Everything's bigger in Texas, so expect a sun which looms overhead and scorches the earth. Truck-sized raindrops are only a slight possibility.

Fun Fact? We've only faced the Cowboys three times since 2001, but we've beaten them twice. That's fun, right?

Injuries? Ovie Mughelli is still questionable, while Michael Turner is banged up but ready to go. Both William Moore and Jerious Norwood are doubtful. Antoine Harris is out once again.

Everyone on the Cowboy injury report is probable, so you'll probably see the lot of them. Little more concerned about our end of things.

Odds? Dallas over Atlanta 4.5, O/U 48.0

Foe? If you haven't already been visiting, check out Blogging The Boys, where Cowboys fans will be hanging out through the day. Play nice, kiddos.

GO FALCONS! Let's wrangle these Cowboys!

by William Cooley - AP

May this man be at least half as good as he was against the 49ers. Amen. (AP Photo/William Cooley)

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On paper, we match up very well against these Chicago Bears, what with their average secondary, struggling ground game and so forth. Of course, on paper I can draw myself sinking a battleship with a karate chop. That doesn't mean it's going to happen.

The Falcons will have to play like they did last week, smart and aggressive and with gritted teeth, in order to beat the Bears. Jay Cutler is the single biggest threat on either side of the ball, as he'll be looking to hook up on long touchdown passes and put us on our heels. This win would catapult us to 4-1 and if the Saints oblige us by losing, we'd be tied for the divisional lead. I think it's fair to call this a critical win.

Keep it lively in the game thread, and hopefully I'll see you there. Here's to a great game!

What? Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. EST

Where? Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Weather? Who cares? You have a roof over your head. Be grateful.

Fun Fact? Even though you already know this, it doesn't get much more fun than knowing the Bears were on the other end of our epic win last year in Chicago. Oh, it cheers me just to think of it.

Injuries? Jason Elam and Antoine Harris have struggled with injuries, but I expect Elam to play. Ovie Mughelli is a game-time decision (I wrote this earlier in the week, so I apologize if he's not), so there's that. The Bears could be without a few key defenders, including LB Hunter Hillenmeyer. Keep an eye on the injury report, which you can find here.

Odds? Atlanta over Chicago 3.5, O/U 45.5

Foe? Be sure to visit our friends over at Windy City Gridiron. They'll be talking Bears all day and hopefully cursing us out for beating them.

GO FALCONS! Let's maul these bears!

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Neither rain nor 49er will stop Matt Ryan. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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It's time to get back in the saddle, this time against a tough defensive team that would like very much to prove it's a contender. Sound familiar?

It's been a crazy week around The Falcoholic, so I apologize for the lack of a couple of familiar features. The important thing is that we're here today to (hopefully) witness a good game where the Falcons keep pace with the New Orleans Saints. In order to keep up in a competitive NFC playoff race (and yes, I know it's early), we better start piling those wins up early. Let's hope for 3-1.

See you guys in the game thread. May the Falcons kick butt!

Who? Atlanta Falcons and San Fransisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Where? Candlestick Park ,San Fransisco, California

Weather? Sunny with a chance of Niners fans flooding the field with their tears.

Fun Fact? For the really young Falcons fans on this site, the Niners were once a hated division rival who made our lives miserable for quite a long time. What makes this fact fun, of course, is if we destroy them on Sunday and return the favor.

Injuries? Hat tip to the Official Site for their report. Jason Elam and Jerious Norwood are probable and virtual locks to play, while special teamer Antoine Harris is out. Hopefully we won't miss him too much for one game. The biggest names on the Niners end are Frank Gore (who's out) and LB Marques Harris (who is questionable).

Odds? San Fransisco over Atlanta 2.5, O/U 40.5

Foe? The talented Fooch and his merry band of trash talkers will be discussing the game over at Niners Nation. Be good sports if you head that way.

GO FALCONS! Let's give these Niners fool's gold!

More photos » by John Amis - AP

He's pointing at the bye week! Take that, bye week! (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

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Lost in a realm beyond our understanding, the Atlanta Falcons spin slowly through outer space during their week playing the fearsome Byes. While other teams grapple with mortal opponents, our guys are fighting the battle of their lives against a foe who has never been defeated. This is a landscape-altering game....or I'm on drugs. One or the other.

Since we don't have a Falcons game to discuss this weekend, use this thread to talk anything going on in your lives, anything related to the Falcons during this lame week of no good football or track the progress of our division rivals. I'm particularly interested to see how the New Orleans Saints will fare against a tough New York Jets defense, and I hope you'll talk about that.

I'll be working through the slate of 1 p.m. games (boo!), but I'll try to join y'all later. Take care out there.