The NFL announced today its 2008 Kickoff Weekend national prime-time television schedule, including a Monday night doubleheader.

In a tradition that began in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the NFL Thursday night season kickoff the following year. This September 4 at 7:00 PM ET on NBC, the Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants will host their NFC East-rival Washington Redskins and their new head coach JIM ZORN. Kickoff will be 90 minutes earlier than the start time of the traditional season opener due to the Republican National Convention, which NBC News will cover following the conclusion of the game.

The Sunday night prime-time game (8:15 PM ET) 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 Monday night, September 8, ESPN will host a Monday Night Football doubleheader featuring two critical division match-ups. The first game (7:00 PM ET) will send the Minnesota Vikings to Green Bay to visit the NFC North titlist Packers. The MNF nightcap (10:15 PM ET) will be an AFC West battle as the Oakland Raiders host the Denver Broncos.

The announcement of these national prime-time TV games was made Monday by NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida.

The rest of the 2008 regular-season schedule will be completed and announced in April.

The 2008 Kickoff Weekend national prime-time television games:

Thursday, September 4th
Washington at New York Giants
NBC
7:00 PM

Sunday, September 7th
Chicago at Indianapolis
NBC
8:15 PM

Monday, September 8th
Minnesota at Green Bay
ESPN
7:00 PM

Denver at Oakland
ESPN
10:15 PM