NFL Schedule to be Released April 3

The NFL schedule will be released later this week, but the league has already announced their primetime games for opening weekend:

• Redskins vs. Giants (Thursday opener)
• Bears vs. Colts (Sunday Night)
• Vikings vs. Packers (Monday Night Football)
• Broncos vs. Raiders (Monday Night Football)

These match-ups eliminate six teams as possibilities for the Saints 2008 season opener, along with the Chargers who the Saints will play in London. Here's the games that are left as the possible first game for New Orleans:

• Panthers (home)
• Falcons (home)
• Buccaneers (home)
  
• 49ers (home)
• Panthers (away)
• Falcons (away)
• Buccaneers (away)
• Chiefs (away)
  
• Lions (away)
  

I hope the Saints get to open up at home this year, especially after having to play the first two weeks on the road the past two seasons. Looking at the list of opponents, I'd like for it to be the 49ers. The other options are division opponents and it's always good to get a game or two under your belt before playing a division game. With that being said, the Saints will probably get a division opponent on the road, the worst scenario the league could hand them.

Update: The schedule wasn't released April 3 but should come out in the next week or so.