Eight-game slate kicks off With Broncos-Browns on Thurs., Nov. 6
First Thanksgiving game in Philadelphia since 1940
Cowboys' final regular-season game at Texas Stadium
NFL Network announced its eight-game, regular-season prime-time schedule. Game times for the contests -- seven on Thursdays and one on Saturday -– are 8 p.m. ET. NFL Network's schedule features four division matchups and teams which combined for six playoff berths and five division titles in 2007.
Among the highlights of NFL Network's Thursday and Saturday Night Football:
The Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns, who met in three AFC Championship Games in four years in the late 1980s, kick off the NFL Network slate on Thursday, Nov. 6 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The Browns have won seven of their past eight at home, but Denver has historically played well in Cleveland with a 9-2 record in the city.
The defending AFC champion New England Patriots host the division-rival New York Jets on Thursday, Nov. 13. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has won 12 of his 14 career starts against the Jets.
Winners of three of the last four AFC North titles meet at Heinz Field as the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Nov. 20. Over the past five years, the Steelers have won 29 of 40 home games (.725) -– but have dropped three of five to Cincinnati.
The NFL's Thursday, Nov. 27 Thanksgiving Day tripleheader concludes with the Arizona Cardinals visiting the Philadelphia Eagles in the first NFL "turkey day" game in Philadelphia since 1940. The Eagles coach that day: future NFL Commissioner Bert Bell.
The New Orleans Saints visit the Chicago Bears for the third time in 25 months on Thursday, Dec. 11. The past two meetings (including the 2006 NFC Championship Game) have featured 111 points and more than 1,400 yards of offense.
The Indianapolis Colts have won the past five AFC South titles and visit division foe Jacksonville on Thursday, Dec. 18. The Jaguars, who finished second in each of the past four seasons, and the Colts are two of only six NFL teams to average 10 victories since 2004.
The NFL Network schedule wraps up on Saturday, Dec. 20 as the NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys host the Baltimore Ravens in the final regular-season game at Texas Stadium. The Cowboys will open a new stadium in 2009.
Each NFL Network telecast will feature a live, two-hour pregame show from the host city, providing a unique feel for the atmosphere surrounding the event. In addition, a one-hour postgame show will wrap up the action with interviews, highlights and press conferences.
NFL.com LIVE again will offer complementary Thursday and Saturday Night Football game coverage including select live video, statistics and interactive applications. Last year's NFL.com LIVE coverage earned a Sports Emmy nomination for outstanding new approaches in coverage.
