Guide Note

The 2008 National Football League season begins with a full slate of sixteen games in Week 1. The games will be played on Thursday September 4, Sunday the 7th, and conclude with two games on Monday the 8th.

Fast Facts

1. First Thursday Night Opener in 2002
2. 2004: League mandated all future Thursday NFL openers at home of defending Super Bowl champions
3. Opening game usually features a pre-game concert

Week 1 will mark the beginning of the 89th season of the NFL. The Thursday night game features the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants playing host to the Washington Redskins. The game has an earlier than usual 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff due on NBC. This is due to NBC's coverage of the Republican National Convention, which will follow the game. NBC will also have its season premiere of Sunday Night Football to wrap up the first Sunday of games as the Indianapolis Colts open their new home field, Lucas Oil Stadium, against the Chicago Bears. Earlier that Sunday, the NFL on FOX begins it's fifteenth season with a doubleheader. The coverage is highlighted by the 4:15PM ET start featuring the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Cleveland Browns. The opening slate of games for the NFL on CBS includes five early contests, the best of these include the almost perfect New England Patriots hosting the Kansas City Chiefs. Finally the season premiere of Monday Night Football on ESPN expands into a doubleheader. The front end of the double dip is an NFC North rivalry as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers, the first game since the retirement of Brett Favre. The nightcap is an AFC West showdown as the Oakland Raiders entertain the Denver Broncos.

NFL Schedule | Giants Redskins | NFL Week 2 | NFL Week 3