NFL OPENING KICKOFF: In a tradition that began in 2004, the Super Bowl champion annually hosts the following season's Thursday night season kickoff. The NFL will open this season on NBC, Thursday, Sept. 9, with the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints hosting the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings, who the Saints defeated in the NFC Championship game last season, 31-28. The first "NBC Sunday Night Football" contest of the season is a classic NFC East rivalry as the Washington Redskins with their new QB Donovan McNabb and head coach Mike Shanahan host Tony Romo and the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys.

2010 "NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL" SCHEDULE

Thurs. Sept. 9 NFL Kickoff Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints

Sun. Sept. 12 Week 1 Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins

Sun. Sept. 19 Week 2 New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts

Sun. Sept. 26 Week 3 New York Jets at Miami Dolphins

Sun. Oct. 3 Week 4 Chicago Bears at New York Giants

Sun. Oct. 10 Week 5 Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers

Sun. Oct. 17 Week 6 Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins

Sun. Oct. 24 Week 7 Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Sun. Oct. 31 Week 8 Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints

Sun. Nov. 7 Week 9 Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

Sun. Nov. 14 Week 10 New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers

Sun. Nov. 21 *Week 11 New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Sun. Nov. 28 *Week 12 San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

Sun. Dec. 5 *Week 13 Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Sun. Dec. 12 *Week 14 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Sun. Dec. 19 *Week 15 Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots

Sun. Dec. 26 *Week 16 San Diego Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals

Sun. Jan. 2 *Week 17 TBA

*Flex Week