The 2008 NFL schedule was released earlier today, with some slight surprises.
The Cleveland Browns, who had an impressive 2007 season, will be featured in five primetime games — only one short of the maximum. The Browns will appear on Monday Night Football three times, versus the Giants on October 13, at the Bills on November 17, and at the Eagles on December 15. The Browns will also face the Steelers on NBC Sunday Night Football (September 14), and the Broncos on NFL Network (November 6).
The presidential race had an effect on the national TV schedule. The opening game of the season, featuring Washington and the New York Giants, was moved up to a 7:00 PM ET kickoff in order to accommodate the Republican National Convention. Meanwhile, ESPN will air a Monday Night Football game from Washington D.C. on the night before the election.
Good news for David Stern: for the second year in a row, the NFL will not air games on Christmas. The league will have a Thanksgiving Day tripleheader, featuring Titans/Lions on CBS at 12:30 PM, Seahawks/Cowboys on FOX at 4:15, and Cardinals/Eagles on NFL Network at 8:15.
Speaking of the NFL Network, the Thursday/Saturday night slate of games begins two weeks earlier this year — likely because both Christmas and New Year’s Day fall on Thursdays this year. NFL Network will begin its coverage on November 6, with Broncos/Browns.
Sunday Night Football schedule.
9/4: Washington/Giants (Thu., 7 PM NBC)
9/7: Bears/Colts (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
9/14: Steelers/Browns (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
9/21: Cowboys/Packers (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
9/28: Eagles/Bears (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
10/5: Steelers/Jaguars (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
10/12: Patriots/Chargers (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
10/19: Seahawks/Buccaneers (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
11/2: Patriots/Colts (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
11/9: Giants/Eagles (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
11/16: Cowboys/Washington* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
11/23: Colts/Chargers* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
11/30: Bears/Vikings* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
12/7: Patriots/Seahawks* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
12/14: Giants/Cowboys* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
12/21: Chargers/Buccaneers* (Sun., 8:15 PM NBC)
12/28: To be announced.
Monday Night Football schedule.
9/8: Vikings/Packers (Mon., 7 PM ESPN)
9/8: Broncos/Raiders (Mon., 10:15 PM ESPN)
9/15: Eagles/Cowboys (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
9/22: Jets/Chargers (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
9/29: Ravens/Steelers (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
10/6: Vikings/Saints (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
10/13: Giants/Browns (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
10/20: Broncos/Patriots (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
10/27: Colts/Titans (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
11/3: Steelers/Washington (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
11/10: 49ers/Cardinals (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
11/17: Browns/Bills (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
11/24: Packers/Saints (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
12/1: Jaguars/Texans (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
12/8: Buccaneers/Panthers (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
12/15: Browns/Eagles (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
12/22: Packers/Bears (Mon., 8:30 PM ESPN)
