NFL announces opening-week primetime TV games
Advertiser News Services
The NFL announced today its 2008 Kickoff Weekend national primetime television schedule, including a Monday night doubleheader.
The season will open with an annual Thursday night game featuring the Super Bowl champion.
On Sept. 4 on NBC, the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants will host their NFC East-rival Washington Redskins and new head coach Jim Zorn.
Kickoff will be 90 minutes earlier (1 p.m. Hawaii time) than the start time of the traditional season opener because of the Republican National Convention, which NBC News will cover following the conclusion of the game.
The Sunday night primetime game (2:15 p.m. HST) on NBC will feature a rematch of Super Bowl XLI as the Indianapolis Colts host the Chicago Bears. The game marks the first regular-season game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
On Sept. 8, ESPN will feature a Monday Night Football doubleheader. The first game (1 p.m. HST) will send the Minnesota Vikings to NFC North champion Green Bay, who will be playing without retired quarterback Brett Favre.
The nightcap (4:15 p.m.) will pit the host Oakland Raiders against the Denver Broncos.
The rest of the 2008 regular-season schedule will be completed and announced in April.
