2010 NFL Schedule: New Orleans Saints Host Minnesota Vikings In Opener

In a live chat on NFL.com, commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints and NFC runnerup Minnesota Vikings will meet in a rematch in the season's opening game on Thursday, September 9th.

The party in New Orleans will likely still be going on when that season-opening kickoff is teed up and the defending champions take the field to start the 2010 NFL season.

Super Bowl Winners At Home

For the first time ever, the Super Bowl Championship banner will be raised in The Superdome. Forty years in the making, the Saints open the new season as defending champions. The Saints opening the season at home continues the recent trend of defending champions being rewarded with the opening, nationally televised Thursday night game.

Will Brett Favre Be There?

After two noisy offseasons, all is quiet on the Brett Favre front. "The Brett Favre Watch" dominated the last two offseasons. Yet, without as much as a peep coming from Brett Favre this offseason, one has to think that he will be back in purple and under center to lead the Vikings onto The Superdome field on opening night.

NFC Championship Game Rematch

The loss in the 2010 NFC Championship Game must still ring between the ears of the Vikings players. Minnesota appeared to rip defeat from the jaws of victory against New Orleans. Let's not forget that Minnesota outgained New Orleans 475-257 in total yardage and racked up nearly three times as many rushing yards. But five turnovers, including Favre's late interception, cost the Vikings a spot in Super Bowl XLIV.

Too Much, Too Soon?

The Saints versus the Vikings one of the last games we saw of the 2009 NFL season, but do we need to see again so soon? As mentioned, the two sides will likely enter the new year as favorites in the NFC but is such an early rematch a stale product? The defending champions get the spot and Brett Favre will bring ratings, but give us a fresher matchup against the Saints!

No Hot Start For Someone

The Vikings began the 2009 season 6-0 and got off to a 10-1 start. The Saints streaked to a 13-0 start. Come September 9th, one side will walk out of The Superdome with a loss on the ledger. The one game will be dissected to no end and too much will likely be made of the loser, but both teams will have plenty to say in the NFC in 2010.