Carolina Panthers
Atlanta Falcons
Kickoff: 1:00 PM
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match Facts
- League
- National Football League
- Week
- Week 2
- Date
- 09/20/2026
- Venue
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Sunday, September 20, brings a full house to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Atlanta Falcons play host to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2 of the NFL season. Both sides closed last season at 8-9, and both step into the 2026/27 campaign hunting an early edge in the NFC South. Carolina won the most recent meeting between these rivals 30-27, so the Falcons have a score to settle on home turf.
Carolina took the last meeting 30-27, yet Atlanta’s offense outscored the Panthers 353-311 last season even as both clubs finished 8-9.
Head-to-Head
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 11/16/2025 | Carolina Panthers 30 @ 27 Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 09/21/2025 | Atlanta Falcons 0 @ 30 Carolina Panthers | at Carolina Panthers |
Season form
Atlanta closed the 2025/26 season at 8-9 with four straight wins, over Tampa Bay, Arizona, the Rams and New Orleans, before a 37-9 loss at Seattle in the finale. Carolina matched that 8-9 record from a different shape, winning just one of its final five in a 23-20 result at Tampa Bay. Two teams level on paper heading into Week 2, and both starting the new season with something to prove.
Offense vs defense
Atlanta’s attack worked in balance last season, racking up 3,523 passing yards, 2,138 rushing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and 17 rushing touchdowns to reach 353 points. Carolina leaned harder on the pass, posting 25 passing touchdowns against 12 on the ground with 3,298 passing yards and 2,060 rushing yards, and finished the year with 311 points scored. Both defenses gave up more than they would have liked a year ago, Atlanta allowing 401 points and Carolina 380, which makes the form of these two units one to watch in the new season.
Head-to-head history
The Falcons and Panthers met twice last season. In Week 3, Carolina hosted Atlanta and came away with a 30-0 win. In Week 11, the teams met at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Panthers beat the Falcons 30-27 in the most recent meeting between the sides.
Last meeting
The most recent meeting between these teams came in Week 11 of last season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where Carolina beat Atlanta 30-27. With both clubs having finished the 2025/26 season at 8-9, Sunday’s Week 2 rematch at the same venue carries early weight in the NFC South race.
When and where do the Falcons and Panthers meet in Week 2?
They play on Sunday, September 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in Week 2 of the 2026/27 NFL season.
What were Atlanta’s and Carolina’s records last season?
Both finished the 2025/26 season at 8-9. Carolina placed first in the NFC South and Atlanta third.
Who won the most recent Falcons-Panthers game?
Carolina beat Atlanta 30-27 in Week 11 of last season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
What was the other meeting between these teams last season?
In Week 3, Carolina hosted Atlanta and won 30-0.
Which division do the Falcons and Panthers play in?
Both teams play in the NFC South alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints.
Next Match
Week 2 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium · Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons
Regular Season NFL match-ups by week 272 games ▾
▼ Week 1 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 10 |
|
Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Sun, Sep 13 |
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Mon, Sep 14 |
|
Date TBD |
▼ Week 2 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 17 |
|
Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
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Sun, Sep 20 |
|
Mon, Sep 21 |
▼ Week 3 16 games
|
Thu, Sep 24 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
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Sun, Sep 27 |
|
Mon, Sep 28 |
▼ Week 4 16 games
|
Thu, Oct 1 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
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Sun, Oct 4 |
|
Mon, Oct 5 |
▼ Week 5 15 games
|
Thu, Oct 8 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
|
Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Sun, Oct 11 |
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Mon, Oct 12 |
▼ Week 6 14 games
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Thu, Oct 15 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
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Sun, Oct 18 |
|
Mon, Oct 19 |
▼ Week 7 14 games
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Thu, Oct 22 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
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Sun, Oct 25 |
|
Mon, Oct 26 |
▼ Week 8 14 games
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Thu, Oct 29 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
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Sun, Nov 1 |
|
Mon, Nov 2 |
▼ Week 9 15 games
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Thu, Nov 5 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Sun, Nov 8 |
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Mon, Nov 9 |
▼ Week 10 14 games
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Thu, Nov 12 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
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Sun, Nov 15 |
|
Mon, Nov 16 |
▼ Week 11 13 games
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Thu, Nov 19 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Sun, Nov 22 |
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Mon, Nov 23 |
▼ Week 12 16 games
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Wed, Nov 25 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Thu, Nov 26 |
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Fri, Nov 27 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
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Sun, Nov 29 |
|
Mon, Nov 30 |
▼ Week 13 14 games
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Thu, Dec 3 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Sun, Dec 6 |
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Mon, Dec 7 |
▼ Week 14 15 games
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Thu, Dec 10 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Sun, Dec 13 |
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Mon, Dec 14 |
▼ Week 15 16 games
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Thu, Dec 17 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sat, Dec 19 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Sun, Dec 20 |
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Mon, Dec 21 |
▼ Week 16 16 games
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Thu, Dec 24 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Fri, Dec 25 |
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Sat, Dec 26 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Sun, Dec 27 |
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Mon, Dec 28 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 17 16 games
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Thu, Dec 31 |
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Sat, Jan 2 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Sun, Jan 3 |
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Mon, Jan 4 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
▼ Week 18 16 games
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Sun, Jan 10 |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |
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Date TBD |