Halo

The NFL is expected to announce its schedule next week, and the biggest blockbuster could come in the first game of the year.



The Saints, as defending Super Bowl champions, are guaranteed to play host to NBC’s season-opening Thursday night tilt on Sept. 9. If the schedule-makers have any common sense, they absolutely, positively will make the Minnesota Vikings the opponent.

Seriously, this should be an easier decision than the Saints bringing back safety Darren Sharper for their title defense. It should be more automatic than a Drew Brees touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions.

What’s not to like about a quick rematch of an NFC Championship Game that went to overtime?

The alternatives are mostly awful. Aside from Minnesota, New Orleans' Superdome opponents will be Carolina, Tampa Bay and Atlanta from the NFC South, Seattle and St. Louis from the NFC West and Pittsburgh and Cleveland from the AFC North.

Forget about a national TV opener against Tampa Bay, Seattle, St. Louis and Cleveland, four teams that combined to go 14-50 last year. NBC executives would nuke the NFL official responsible for that travesty.

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